The Twelve Dancing Princesses
The Twelve Dancing Princesses — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
Upon a volcanic isle, where gardens bloomed with fire-flowers, lived King Oberon and his twelve daughters. Each princess was known for her beauty, but none knew their secret. Every night, they locked themselves away, only to emerge with worn shoes at dawn. A dark mystery shrouded the castle, a curse whispered among the court: where did the princesses dance?
Page 2
Sir Eamon, a soldier weathered by many battles, arrived seeking fortune. "I hear the king promises his kingdom to the man who solves the mystery of his daughters," he declared at the tavern, his voice raspy. A wizened old woman, stirring her tea, chuckled. "Gold is a tempting thing, isn't it?" she croaked. "But beware, for some secrets are best left buried."
Page 3
"I accept the challenge," Eamon announced to King Oberon. "But I will need more than just a room, Your Majesty. I require insight." The King, his face etched with worry, nodded. "Take this cloak," he said, handing Eamon a heavy wool garment. "It will render you invisible. But remember, Sir Eamon: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' as Lao Tzu said. Use it wisely, and observe."
Page 4
That night, cloaked in invisibility, Eamon followed the princesses. He watched as they unlocked a hidden passage behind a tapestry woven with images of fire-flowers. "This is peculiar," Eamon whispered to himself, adjusting the cloak. He smelled sulfur in the air, and an unnatural warmth emanated from the passage.
Page 5
The passage opened into a shimmering portal. Hesitation flickered across the eldest princess's face, but she stepped through nonetheless, followed by her sisters. Eamon considered the consequences. 'The strongest among us make sacrifices for all,' he thought to himself, echoing the words of Booker T. Washington. He knew he must follow, no matter the danger.
Page 6
The portal led to a volcanic cavern, illuminated by lava flows. Twelve boats awaited, each piloted by a silent, masked figure. The princesses boarded, laughing as the boats sailed into tunnels carved into the volcano's heart. Eamon noticed the masked figures wore rings of pure gold.
Page 7
The tunnels opened into an underground ballroom, filled with music and masked dancers. The princesses whirled and swayed, their laughter echoing through the cavern. One of the masked dancers approached the youngest princess, offering her a golden goblet. "Don't drink that," Eamon whispered, forgetting his invisibility. The dancer froze, and the music stopped.
Page 8
"Who said that?" roared one of the masked figures, his voice distorted. Chaos erupted as the dancers revealed themselves as gnarled, fire-spirit creatures. The princesses screamed, clutching their chests. Eamon knew the truth: the gold was a binding curse, slowly stealing their life force. He lunged forward, knocking the goblet from the princess's hand.
Page 9
Eamon grabbed a fire-flower from a nearby vase and hurled it at the golden rings worn by the creatures. The rings hissed and crumbled to ash. The princesses gasped, feeling the curse lift. Their worn shoes turned new again. Eamon realized greed was the key to all this. Fear gave them the shoes to begin with, greed kept them coming back.
Page 10
The fire-spirits vanished. The portal pulsed once more, returning them to the tapestry. They returned to their chambers. King Oberon looked upon his daughters with relief. They were changed. Eamon left the island. He did not seek a kingdom. The temptation had passed. For the fire flowers only bloom where the greed dies.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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