The Old Beggar Woman
The Old Beggar Woman — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the candy-colored nebula, aboard the shimmering space station 'Aureus,' lived Elara, a baker with stardust in her eyes, and Kaelen, a prince burdened by an enchanted mirror. A prophecy foretold that only an old beggar woman could break the mirror's curse, a curse that mirrored the prince's own growing coldness. But the beggar woman was nowhere to be found, lost among the station's glittering spires and shadowed docks. The clock was ticking.
Page 2
Elara's bakery, 'Cosmic Crusts,' was known throughout Aureus for its ethereal delicacies. One day, a mysterious cloaked figure entered, their face hidden in shadow. "I need something to lift my spirits," the figure rasped, voice like crumbling stardust. Elara, ever the empath, felt a wave of sorrow emanating from the stranger.
Page 3
"Perhaps a nebula tart?" Elara offered gently, presenting a shimmering dessert. The cloaked figure hesitated, then reached out a gnarled hand. As the figure ate, a faint, golden light flickered beneath the cloak. "Tell me," Elara asked, her voice soft, "what weighs so heavily on your heart?"
Page 4
Meanwhile, Prince Kaelen stood before the enchanted mirror, its surface swirling with dark energy. The mirror whispered promises of power, showing him visions of a kingdom united under his iron fist. A voice echoed in his mind, "Embrace your destiny, Kaelen. Rule with strength, not sentiment."
Page 5
Elara learned the cloaked figure was indeed the Old Beggar Woman of prophecy, cursed to wander in disguise until someone showed her true kindness. "But how can I help Prince Kaelen?" Elara asked. The Beggar Woman replied, her voice clearer now, "He must learn to see beyond the mirror's lies. Show him the truth, Elara."
Page 6
Driven by the Beggar Woman's words, Elara sought out Prince Kaelen. She found him in the mirror chamber, his hand outstretched, about to touch the glass. "Kaelen, don't!" she cried, rushing forward. "That mirror shows you only what you desire, not what you need."
Page 7
"You don't understand, Elara," Kaelen retorted, his voice laced with coldness. "This mirror offers me the strength to rule, the power to protect." Elara stood her ground. "But at what cost? Are you protecting them or controlling them? As Mark Twain said, 'It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.' The mirror has fooled you."
Page 8
Kaelen, enraged, turned back to the mirror, ignoring Elara's plea. As his fingers touched the glass, a surge of dark energy erupted, throwing Elara back. The Beggar Woman appeared, no longer cloaked, her true form radiating celestial light. "The choice is yours, Kaelen," she said, her voice echoing with power.
Page 9
With newfound clarity, Kaelen stepped away from the mirror, renouncing its power. The mirror shattered, its dark energy dissipating, and the Beggar Woman smiled. "Kindness and truth are greater than any magic," she said, before fading into stardust. Kaelen looked at Elara, remorse filling his eyes.
Page 10
Aureus flourished under Kaelen's just rule, a rule guided by empathy and truth, not by the false promises of a mirror. Elara continued to bake, her 'Cosmic Crusts' now a symbol of hope throughout the station. And so, the prince learned that true strength lies not in power, but in kindness. The cold mirror left him with nothing.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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