The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood
The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
Beneath the waves, in a shipwreck turned school, lived Marina, a princess yearning for more than coral castles. Old King Neptune, her father, wished only for her safety. But an ancient curse, whispered by a forgotten sea witch, threatened to bind Marina to a sleep without end. Three sea-fairies, once pirates, held the key to her fate: Pearl, the brave; Coral, the kind; and Abyss, the envious.
Page 2
"Father, I long to see the world beyond our reef," Marina sighed, gazing out at the shimmering water. "But the curse... it looms like a kraken in the deep!" King Neptune gripped his trident. "That wicked sea witch! We shall protect you, Marina, even if it means confining you to this castle forever!" Pearl, the sea-fairy, piped up. "But sire, confining her isn't living. We must find a solution!"
Page 3
Coral, ever the scholar, swam forward, a scroll of kelp unrolled in her hands. "I've found something! An old text speaks of countering the curse, but only by weaving a cloak of shadows and light." Abyss scoffed, "Shadows and light? What utter nonsense! That's just an old fish tale!" Coral countered, "'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' as Lao Tzu said. We must try, Abyss. Marina's future depends on it!"
Page 4
The sea-fairies set to work. Pearl, with her pirate's bravery, dove deep into the darkest trenches to gather shadows, whispered secrets of the abyss. "This feels wrong," she muttered, surfacing with a jar of swirling black ink. "These shadows are...hungry." Abyss, tempted by the power within the darkness, reached for the jar. "Let me see," she whispered, a strange gleam in her eyes.
Page 5
As Abyss grasped the jar, a tendril of darkness lashed out, ensnaring her wrist. "It's trying to possess me!" she cried, struggling. Coral quickly intervened, summoning a beam of sunlight to sever the darkness. "'Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that,' as Martin Luther King Jr. said. Abyss, you must resist the temptation of this power!"
Page 6
The darkness retreated, but a shadow lingered in Abyss's heart. She glared at Coral, then at Marina. "Why should she have all the light? All the beauty?" she hissed. With a swift motion, Abyss plunged a dark coral spike into Marina's hand. "Now you shall sleep, princess! Sleep until a true hero awakens you!"
Page 7
Neptune roared with rage, but it was too late. Marina was drifting into slumber. The reef around them began to dim, the vibrant colors fading to gray. He cradled Marina in his arms, his voice breaking. "My daughter... what have you done, Abyss?"
Page 8
Centuries passed. The sunken ship became a legend. But legend drew a young diver, Kai, to the reef, seeking lost treasure. He swam through the crumbling corridors, his heart pounding. "This place...it feels different," he whispered. He came upon a chamber overgrown with coral, where a mermaid lay sleeping.
Page 9
He recognized her from the faded murals: Princess Marina. Could it be? He remembered an old sailor's tale, a princess cursed to sleep until awakened by true love. Hesitantly, he removed his mask and gently kissed her. A wave of light surged through the chamber.
Page 10
Marina's eyes fluttered open. The curse was broken. The reef bloomed with life, brighter than before. Abyss, freed from her envy, embraced Marina, her heart filled with remorse. The darkness she had craved was nothing compared to the light of forgiveness. The tale tells that true beauty lies not in power, but in overcoming inner shadows.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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