The Three Golden Apples
The Three Golden Apples — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In a giant tree that walked with the seasons stood the Evergreena Academy, school to the wisest minds in all the land. Here, Master Bramble, keeper of ancient lore; Prince Aspen, heir to a gilded throne; and the cunning Elara, whose wit was sharper than any blade, found their destinies intertwined. Whispers spoke of three Golden Apples, stolen from the sun itself, a treasure that promised either boundless wisdom or utter ruin. Their quest would test the very heart of their courage, for 'fortune favors the bold,' as Virgil, the great Roman poet, once said, 'but it abandons the timid.
Page 2
Aspen, bound by duty, yearned for knowledge beyond courtly etiquette. "Why must I inherit a kingdom when I crave the wisdom to rule it fairly?" he lamented, pacing the polished floors of his chambers. Elara, ever the opportunist, overheard his restless musings. She knew of the Golden Apples, whispered about in forbidden texts, her desire for power fueled by a childhood of hardship. "There are whispers of artifacts," she confided, her voice a silken thread, "items that could change your fate, Prince."
Page 3
Bramble, wise and ever watchful, sensed the unease brewing amongst his students. He had seen countless seekers pursue power and wisdom, often with disastrous results. "Remember, Aspen," Bramble warned, his voice like rustling leaves, "'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' as Lao Tzu wisely stated. But be mindful where your steps lead." He presented Aspen with an ancient compass, its needle crafted from a shard of pure moonlight. "This compass points towards Truth. Follow it carefully, for the apples are guarded by illusions and deceit."
Page 4
Driven by ambition, Aspen secretly consulted Elara, who possessed a hidden map leading to the apples. "The path is treacherous," Elara purred, tracing the map with a slender finger. "But the reward is immeasurable." Aspen, tempted by the promise of unparalleled wisdom, decided to ignore Bramble's caution. He entrusted Elara with the moonlight compass, unknowingly placing his faith in deceit. "Lead the way," he declared, his voice echoing with newfound resolve.
Page 5
The compass led them through a whispering forest, its trees gnarled and ancient. Elara, feigning loyalty, steered Aspen away from the true path, towards a shimmering pool of gold. "Drink from this," she urged, her eyes gleaming with avarice. "It will grant you foresight." Aspen, momentarily blinded by the allure of instant knowledge, hesitated. 'Knowing is not enough; we must apply,' as the German polymath Goethe once said, yet the golden pool shimmered with such tempting light. He reached out, his fingers trembling toward the water's surface.
Page 6
But before Aspen could succumb, a mournful howl echoed through the trees. A lone wolf, its fur the color of moonlight, emerged from the shadows. It fixed its gaze upon Aspen, its eyes filled with sorrowful warning. Aspen, startled, drew back his hand. The pool's shimmering allure seemed to fade, replaced by a sense of foreboding. Elara, angered by the interruption, lashed out at the wolf with a swift kick. "Get away, beast!"
Page 7
The wolf, despite its pain, nudged the moonlight compass towards Aspen, its eyes pleading. Aspen, finally understanding the deception, snatched the compass from Elara's grasp. The compass needle spun wildly before settling, pointing in the opposite direction of the golden pool. "You led me astray," Aspen accused, his voice laced with betrayal. Elara, unmasked, revealed her true intentions. "Wisdom is power, Prince! And power is mine for the taking."
Page 8
Elara, fueled by dark magic, lunged at Aspen, her dagger glinting in the moonlight. Aspen, remembering his training, parried her attack with the moonlight compass, its silver edge deflecting the blade. The impact shattered Elara's enchanted amulet, releasing a wave of dark energy that transformed the forest around them. The golden pool vanished, replaced by a barren wasteland. 'We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be,' Kurt Vonnegut, the great American author, once stated, proving itself now.
Page 9
Using the compass as a guide, Aspen fled the blighted forest, the wolf his only companion. He emerged into a sunlit meadow, where three ancient apple trees stood in silent vigil, each bearing a single golden fruit. A voice echoed in his mind, "Choose wisely, Prince. For only one grants true wisdom. The others offer false promises."
Page 10
Aspen, guided by the wolf's intuition, chose the smallest apple, its skin unblemished and pure. As he bit into it, a wave of clarity washed over him. He saw not visions of power, but the faces of his people, their hopes and fears. Returning to Evergreena, Aspen ruled with compassion and understanding, not just knowledge. And Elara, consumed by her own greed, was forever lost in the barren wasteland. For the wisdom he truly sought was not found in golden treasures, but in the quiet empathy of a noble heart.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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