The Magic Table
The Magic Table — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
On the volcanic isle of Emberfell, where gardens of fire-flowers bloomed amidst obsidian cliffs, lived three brothers: the diligent Eldrin, the ambitious Lorien, and the kind-hearted Caspar. Each yearned for a life beyond their humble farm, a life free from endless toil. Little did they know, a shimmering table lay hidden, capable of granting their desires, but also of revealing the truest nature of their hearts.
Page 2
Their father, old and weary, called them to his bedside. "My sons," he rasped, his voice thin as smoke, "I have little to leave you. But I've heard tales of a magic table hidden somewhere on this island. Whoever finds it will never want for anything." Eldrin scoffed, "Just stories to keep us working, Father." Lorien, however, saw opportunity gleaming in his eyes.
Page 3
"Nonsense," Caspar said, kneeling by his father's side, holding his hand. "Let us focus on your comfort, Father. Riches are not everything." But after their father passed, Lorien wasted no time. "I'll find that table," he declared, grabbing a map of the island. "And wealth will finally be ours!"
Page 4
Eldrin watched Lorien disappear into the fire-flower forest. "Fool's errand," he muttered, turning back to the fields. But a nagging doubt persisted. He remembered the stories of a hidden spring said to grant wishes, a place his father had forbidden him from going. Should he seek it out for strength?
Page 5
Deep in the forest, Lorien stumbled upon a shimmering grotto. An old woman with eyes like molten gold sat by a pool of lava. "I am Nyx," she rasped. "I know what you seek. The table can be yours... if you offer me something precious." Lorien's eyes narrowed. What price would he pay for endless riches?
Page 6
Eldrin, unable to resist the temptation of the wishing spring, found it nestled beneath the obsidian cliffs. As he knelt to drink, he heard a voice, "What is it you truly desire, son of Emberfell?" He knew he should wish for strength, to work harder, but a vision of luxury and ease filled his mind. He asked for riches instead.
Page 7
Caspar, meanwhile, followed a trail of wilting fire-flowers, a path of destruction left by his ambitious brother. He arrived at the grotto and saw Lorien haggling with Nyx. "What are you doing?" Caspar cried. Lorien hissed, "Mind your own business! I'm securing our future!"
Page 8
"The price," Nyx croaked, her eyes burning into Lorien's soul, "is your compassion. You will never feel empathy again." Lorien hesitated for only a moment. "Agreed!" he exclaimed. Instantly, a heavy chest appeared beside him, overflowing with gold, and a shimmering table materialized. But Caspar saw the light fade from his brother's eyes.
Page 9
Lorien rushed back to the farm, the magic table floating before him. He set it down, declaring, "Table, bring us a feast!" Instantly, the table filled with gold coins, not food. Eldrin arrived, pockets heavy with stones from the spring, and cried, "Table, bring us a feast!" The table only produced more stones. Caspar then approached, placing a single fire-flower on the table. "Table, bring us what we need." A simple loaf of bread and a jug of water appeared.
Page 10
![\"You see,\" Caspar said softly, sharing the bread with his brothers. \"The table gives us what we truly need, not what we greedily desire.](https://thewonderbooks.com/images/stories/the_magic_table/illustrations/the_magic_table_page_10_v1774905064172.webp "\\"You see,\\" Caspar said softly, sharing the bread with his brothers. \\"The table gives us what we truly need, not what we greedily desire.")
\"You see,\" Caspar said softly, sharing the bread with his brothers. \"The table gives us what we truly need, not what we greedily desire.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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