The Shepherd of Myddvai
The Shepherd of Myddvai — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the village of Myddvai, nestled high amongst ancient trees and connected by rainbow bridges, lived a shepherd named Rhys. He was known for his gentle heart and love of the hills. But Rhys yearned for something more, a magic he felt in the whispering wind and rustling leaves. Little did he know, a water spirit was about to change his life forever, offering him a love both wondrous and bound by ancient rules.
Page 2
Rhys tended his sheep along the shores of Llyn y Fan Fach, a lake shimmering like a mirror reflecting the sky. One day, a storm churned the waters, and from the depths emerged a vision. A maiden, radiant and ethereal, rose from the waves. Her voice echoed like the sweetest song, 'Fear not, shepherd, for I am one of the Tylwyth Teg, a dweller of these waters,' she declared, her eyes like the deep pools of the lake.
Page 3
'I am Myfanwy,' she said, offering Rhys a gentle smile. 'And I have come to offer you a choice.' She held out a loaf of bread, baked from the finest wheat and imbued with the magic of the lake. 'If you can distinguish this bread from one baked by mortal hands, I will be your wife,' she announced, her voice a soft melody. 'But know this, there are rules that cannot be broken.'
Page 4
Rhys, drawn to her beauty and captivated by the magic in her eyes, accepted the challenge. He closed his eyes, inhaled the scent, and carefully tasted a crumb. But all the bread was exactly identical! Myfanwy smiled. 'You have a kind heart, shepherd. And kindness is a trait to be valued,' she said. They were wed, and Rhys brought his water spirit bride back to his treehouse in Myddvai.
Page 5
They lived in bliss, raising three beautiful children, each touched by the magic of both worlds. But the Tylwyth Teg are bound by ancient laws. One day, Rhys struck Myfanwy lightly with his glove in jest. 'Ah, but I am told that a trivial argument can also be a deadly warning,' a neighbor remarked. Myfanwy looked at him gravely, a sadness creeping into her eyes.
Page 6
'Remember what the American president Franklin Roosevelt once said, Rhys — 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,'' Myfanwy said softly. But the damage was done. 'The second blow will signal my departure,' she warned. And, indeed, the next time Rhys inadvertently struck her, the magic bond began to fade. Myfanwy prepared to return to the lake. Her time above the surface was coming to an end.
Page 7
Before leaving, Myfanwy told Rhys, 'If you ever need guidance, seek out our sons. One will be a great healer, the other a skilled herbalist. They will carry the knowledge of both worlds.' With a final embrace, she walked towards the lake. 'Follow me, my children,' she called, and vanished beneath the waves.
Page 8
Years passed, and Rhys, guided by his sons, became a renowned healer and herbalist himself. He helped countless villagers, using the knowledge passed down from his water spirit wife. One day, a plague swept through Myddvai, and many fell ill. Rhys knew he needed a cure, but the forest held the secrets.
Page 9
Remembering Myfanwy's words, Rhys ventured into the unknown, seeking the cure among the ancient trees. He found a rare flower, glowing with a faint blue light, hidden deep within a cavern. As he reached for it, he understood. The greatest magic wasn't in the water or the flowers, but in the love and knowledge shared between worlds. With trembling hands, he plucked the flower.
Page 10
The cure saved Myddvai, and Rhys lived out his days surrounded by family and the beauty of the hills. Though Myfanwy was gone, her legacy lived on in the wisdom and kindness of their children. And the gold he sought in magic was the very thing that showed him what he already possessed.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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