The Princess on the Glass Hill

An illustrated tales story from Wonder Tales — free to read, with narration.

The Princess on the Glass Hill — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

The Princess on the Glass Hill — book cover — Wonder Tales
The Princess on the Glass Hill — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

Page 1

In a kingdom touched by magic and shadowed by doubt, lived three princes, each vying for a prize beyond gold: the hand of a princess fair as starlight.
In a kingdom touched by magic and shadowed by doubt, lived three princes, each vying for a prize beyond gold: the hand of a princess fair as starlight. But the path to her heart was not paved with jewels, but a perilous climb up the Glass Hill. One was brave, one was cunning, and the third, named Espen, was known only for his kindness.

In a kingdom touched by magic and shadowed by doubt, lived three princes, each vying for a prize beyond gold: the hand of a princess fair as starlight. But the path to her heart was not paved with jewels, but a perilous climb up the Glass Hill. One was brave, one was cunning, and the third, named Espen, was known only for his kindness.

Page 2

Espen's brothers scoffed at his gentle nature. "You'll never win her over with flowers, brother," the first prince boomed, adjusting his helmet.
Espen's brothers scoffed at his gentle nature. "You'll never win her over with flowers, brother," the first prince boomed, adjusting his helmet. "She wants a hero, not a gardener!" The second prince smirked, tugging at his cloak. "Indeed, she wants wit, and cleverness. Not, certainly, kindness." Espen sighed. He knew they didn't believe in him.

Espen's brothers scoffed at his gentle nature. "You'll never win her over with flowers, brother," the first prince boomed, adjusting his helmet. "She wants a hero, not a gardener!" The second prince smirked, tugging at his cloak. "Indeed, she wants wit, and cleverness. Not, certainly, kindness." Espen sighed. He knew they didn't believe in him.

Page 3

Wandering into the forest at the foot of the hill, Espen stumbled upon an old woman, her face etched with wrinkles and her eyes like pools of wisdom.
Wandering into the forest at the foot of the hill, Espen stumbled upon an old woman, her face etched with wrinkles and her eyes like pools of wisdom. "Lost, young prince?" she croaked, leaning on a twisted wooden staff. "I seek the princess, but I fear I lack the strength or cunning to win her." The old woman smiled knowingly. "Sometimes, what seems like weakness is the greatest strength of all."

Wandering into the forest at the foot of the hill, Espen stumbled upon an old woman, her face etched with wrinkles and her eyes like pools of wisdom. "Lost, young prince?" she croaked, leaning on a twisted wooden staff. "I seek the princess, but I fear I lack the strength or cunning to win her." The old woman smiled knowingly. "Sometimes, what seems like weakness is the greatest strength of all."

Page 4

The old woman then gifted him a golden apple, a symbol of luck, a bridle, a gift that allowed him to tame any steed, and a suit of shining silver armour.
The old woman then gifted him a golden apple, a symbol of luck, a bridle, a gift that allowed him to tame any steed, and a suit of shining silver armour.

The old woman then gifted him a golden apple, a symbol of luck, a bridle, a gift that allowed him to tame any steed, and a suit of shining silver armour.

Page 5

Mounting his steed, a magnificent white stallion, Espen began his climb up the Glass Hill. His brother had said that he had to be a hero, it was the only way to…
Mounting his steed, a magnificent white stallion, Espen began his climb up the Glass Hill. His brother had said that he had to be a hero, it was the only way to the Princess' heart. Slippery as ice, the hill challenged even the strongest knights. Many tried, but all slid back down. Espen, however, held firm, his stallion sure-footed.

Mounting his steed, a magnificent white stallion, Espen began his climb up the Glass Hill. His brother had said that he had to be a hero, it was the only way to the Princess' heart. Slippery as ice, the hill challenged even the strongest knights. Many tried, but all slid back down. Espen, however, held firm, his stallion sure-footed.

Page 6

Reaching a plateau, Espen saw a vision of the princess standing at the summit. But as he reached for her, the golden apple slipped from his grasp and tumbled…
Reaching a plateau, Espen saw a vision of the princess standing at the summit. But as he reached for her, the golden apple slipped from his grasp and tumbled down the hill. Distraught, he watched it fall, his chance seemingly lost. \"Oh no!\" he said aloud.

Reaching a plateau, Espen saw a vision of the princess standing at the summit. But as he reached for her, the golden apple slipped from his grasp and tumbled down the hill. Distraught, he watched it fall, his chance seemingly lost. \"Oh no!\" he said aloud.

Page 7

Back in the forest, the old woman greeted him.
Back in the forest, the old woman greeted him.

Back in the forest, the old woman greeted him.

Page 8

The next day, Espen decided not to focus on the prize, but to revel in the journey. Once more, he climbed the Glass Hill.
The next day, Espen decided not to focus on the prize, but to revel in the journey. Once more, he climbed the Glass Hill. He paused to help a fallen knight, offering him a kind word. He shared water with a weary traveler. These small acts, though slowing his ascent, filled him with a lightness he hadn't felt before.

The next day, Espen decided not to focus on the prize, but to revel in the journey. Once more, he climbed the Glass Hill. He paused to help a fallen knight, offering him a kind word. He shared water with a weary traveler. These small acts, though slowing his ascent, filled him with a lightness he hadn't felt before.

Page 9

Reaching the summit, Espen found the princess not impressed by his speed, but touched by the kindness he had shown along the way.
Reaching the summit, Espen found the princess not impressed by his speed, but touched by the kindness he had shown along the way.

Reaching the summit, Espen found the princess not impressed by his speed, but touched by the kindness he had shown along the way.

Page 10

And so, Espen, the prince known for his kindness, won not just a princess, but a kingdom, ruling with a gentle hand and a generous heart.
And so, Espen, the prince known for his kindness, won not just a princess, but a kingdom, ruling with a gentle hand and a generous heart. He learned that true strength lies not in conquering, but in caring. And the kingdom knew, greed had won them nothing, but kindness had won them all.

And so, Espen, the prince known for his kindness, won not just a princess, but a kingdom, ruling with a gentle hand and a generous heart. He learned that true strength lies not in conquering, but in caring. And the kingdom knew, greed had won them nothing, but kindness had won them all.

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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