The Swineherd
The Swineherd — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the grand, forgotten library, where stories lived and breathed, resided a Prince, stripped of his title by cruel fate. He was to become a Swineherd, a guardian of pigs, a role far beneath his station. A princess, proud and beautiful, held the key to his redemption, though her heart was locked tighter than any treasure chest. The question hung heavy: could love bloom in the mud, or would pride forever bar the door to happiness?
Page 2
Before the curse, the Prince, whose name was Alaric, loved trinkets. 'As Leonardo da Vinci said,' Alaric once mused, polishing a golden birdcage, ' 'I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.' I must do something to impress the world with my brilliance.' His arrogance blinded him; he valued the shine of gold more than the gleam in a loyal subject's eye.
Page 3
Then, a sorceress, disguised as a beggar, arrived at the castle gates. She offered Alaric a simple, wilted rose in exchange for shelter. He scoffed, 'Get away from me you wretched creature!' The rose withered and turned to dust, and a shadow fell over Alaric's face. 'You value beauty above kindness,' the sorceress hissed, her form shifting before his very eyes. 'Now you shall learn humility.'
Page 4
'Oink, oink,' the pigs grunted, and Alaric shoveled their food. The princess, visiting the sty out of boredom, wrinkled her nose at the smell. 'Such a demotion, your highness,' she sneered, flicking mud from her pristine gown. 'Perhaps you should try polishing them instead of your trinkets.'
Page 5
One day, Alaric stumbled upon a forgotten chest. Inside, he found a kettle that sang beautiful melodies when placed over a fire. He crafted a small stall to sell the water heated by the Singing Kettle. The Princess, drawn by the music, approached the stall. 'How much for a cup?' she asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Page 6
Seeing her interest, Alaric remembered an old clockwork toy. He spent weeks crafting a mechanical bird that sang along with the kettle. When the bird was complete, the Princess bartered away a dozen jeweled necklaces for it. Alaric, knowing he was being played, took the jewels, his desire for revenge clouding his judgement.
Page 7
'Now, listen,' said a wizened old librarian, a woman named Agnes, as she pointed to the mirror, 'this will only work once you truly accept yourself'. She handed him an ancient hand mirror. 'This mirror reveals the true heart of the beholder. If you present it to her, she will see herself as she truly is.' Alaric clutches the mirror tight, walking toward the Princess.
Page 8
Alaric approached the Princess, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. He held out the mirror. 'See yourself,' he urged, his voice pleading. As she gazed into the glass, her beautiful face twisted into a grotesque mask of vanity and greed. Horrified, she dropped the mirror, the image shattering along with her pride.
Page 9
Tears streamed down the princess's face. 'What have I become?' she sobbed, her voice filled with genuine remorse. With that admission, the sorceress's curse broke. Alaric found himself transformed back into the Prince he once was, his crimson tunic restored. The Princess, her beauty softened by humility, gazed at him with newfound affection.
Page 10
Alaric learned to value kindness over gold, while the Princess understood true beauty resides within. He no longer sought trinkets. It wasn't a kingdom, but a connection that truly mattered. And in the forgotten library, they lived, not as Prince and Princess, but as equals in love.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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