The Red Ettin
The Red Ettin — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the coral reef city of Aethel, where sunken pirate ships became schools and anemones glowed with forgotten magic, lived young Elara. She dreamed of a world beyond the reef, a world whispered about in pirate tales. Old Finn, the ship's historian and a keeper of forgotten lore, warned her, 'Some doors are best left unopened, child.' But Elara, like all curious hearts, yearned to know what lay behind the closed door.
Page 2
Elara swam through the bustling market, her tail swishing past stalls laden with shimmering pearls and ancient coins. She paused at old Finn's stall. 'Finn, tell me again about the Red Ettin,' she pleaded. Finn sighed, his blue eyes clouded with concern. 'He was a giant, they say, who guarded a door. And behind that door...'
Page 3
Elara interrupted, 'Behind that door is a path, a path that always leads to the truth. I read it in the scrolls!' Finn shook his head. 'Truth is a dangerous thing, Elara. Sometimes, it's better left buried.' He handed her a small, tarnished silver compass. 'Take this. It belonged to a pirate captain. Some say it points to what you truly seek, not just what you think you want.'
Page 4
That night, drawn by an irresistible force, Elara found herself at the edge of the reef. A towering, barnacle-covered rock face loomed before her, a place she'd been warned never to venture. A dark cavernous opening yawned in the rock, obscured by swaying kelp. A voice echoed, whispering, 'Lost, little one?'
Page 5
A hulking figure emerged from the shadows – a grotesque merman with crimson scales and glowing yellow eyes. 'I am Groth,' he rasped, his voice like grinding coral. 'And this is my door. Turn back, little fish, or you'll become part of the reef.' Elara trembled, but held the compass high. It spun wildly, then pointed directly at Groth.
Page 6
'You cannot frighten me,' Elara declared, her voice shaking slightly. 'I know the path behind the door always leads to the truth.' Groth laughed, a chilling sound. 'Truth is a luxury you cannot afford. I offer you something better – power. Look at the treasures within.' He gestured toward the cave, where gold coins glinted in the darkness.
Page 7
Elara hesitated, her gaze drawn to the glittering gold. Finn's words echoed in her mind: 'Some say it points to what you truly seek, not just what you think you want.' She closed her eyes, remembering her dream – not of riches, but of understanding. She focused on the truth, on that path beyond the door. 'I seek knowledge, not gold,' she said, firmly.
Page 8
Groth roared in anger, and the ground shook. 'Then you choose... the long way.' He slammed his trident against the rock, and the cavern entrance began to collapse. Elara, remembering Finn's words, realized what the compass truly meant. She pointed the compass at Groth. 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,' she shouted, quoting Franklin Roosevelt, as the Americans had said.
Page 9
The compass glowed with blinding light, revealing Groth's true form: a scared, lonely merman trapped behind a wall of his own making. The 'treasures' were illusions, manifestations of his fear. The cave dissolved, revealing a clear, flowing path. Groth looked up in astonishment, his crimson scales fading to a soft blue.
Page 10
Elara smiled, extending a hand to Groth. Together, they swam through the newly opened path, towards the unknown. Elara had sought the truth, and in doing so, had freed them both. And in the end, she found that the greatest prison is the one we build for ourselves.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)