The Twelve Months

An illustrated tales story from Wonder Tales — free to read, with narration.

The Twelve Months — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

The Twelve Months — book cover — Wonder Tales
The Twelve Months — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

Page 1

In a forest unlike any other, where squirrels wore spectacles and owls debated philosophy, lived Marushka, a kind girl with a heart full of songs, and her…
In a forest unlike any other, where squirrels wore spectacles and owls debated philosophy, lived Marushka, a kind girl with a heart full of songs, and her stepmother, a woman whose heart was as cold as the winter wind. Old King Wenceslas' law demanded winter flowers. Marushka's impossible wish set forth a perilous journey. This is the tale of how she discovered the true seasons—and the power of kindness in the face of cruel greed.

In a forest unlike any other, where squirrels wore spectacles and owls debated philosophy, lived Marushka, a kind girl with a heart full of songs, and her stepmother, a woman whose heart was as cold as the winter wind. Old King Wenceslas' law demanded winter flowers. Marushka's impossible wish set forth a perilous journey. This is the tale of how she discovered the true seasons—and the power of kindness in the face of cruel greed.

Page 2

The snow crunched beneath Marushka's worn boots as she walked home, her basket empty. "Where are the violets, girl?" her stepmother shrieked, grabbing…
The snow crunched beneath Marushka's worn boots as she walked home, her basket empty. "Where are the violets, girl?" her stepmother shrieked, grabbing Marushka's arm. "The King demands them. You will not eat until you bring them back." Her stepsister, Holena, sneered, tossing a crust of bread to the dog. Marushka glanced longingly at the bread before turning back into the forest.

The snow crunched beneath Marushka's worn boots as she walked home, her basket empty. "Where are the violets, girl?" her stepmother shrieked, grabbing Marushka's arm. "The King demands them. You will not eat until you bring them back." Her stepsister, Holena, sneered, tossing a crust of bread to the dog. Marushka glanced longingly at the bread before turning back into the forest.

Page 3

Lost and shivering, Marushka wept. She wandered deeper into the forest when a glimmer of light caught her eye. "Who we are with is who we become," she…
Lost and shivering, Marushka wept. She wandered deeper into the forest when a glimmer of light caught her eye. "Who we are with is who we become," she whispered, remembering something her mother used to say. It was originally from Goethe, her mother explained once. Ahead, nestled amongst the snow-laden pines, stood twelve figures circling a bonfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.

Lost and shivering, Marushka wept. She wandered deeper into the forest when a glimmer of light caught her eye. "Who we are with is who we become," she whispered, remembering something her mother used to say. It was originally from Goethe, her mother explained once. Ahead, nestled amongst the snow-laden pines, stood twelve figures circling a bonfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.

Page 4

\"Who dares disturb the Council of Months?\" January boomed, his voice like the cracking of ice. Marushka, trembling, knelt before them.
\"Who dares disturb the Council of Months?\" January boomed, his voice like the cracking of ice. Marushka, trembling, knelt before them. \"Forgive me, kind sirs. My stepmother demands violets, but winter holds them fast.\" April, cloaked in budding green, smiled gently. \"The King is testing you. He wants the impossible.\" He held forth a golden coin.

\"Who dares disturb the Council of Months?\" January boomed, his voice like the cracking of ice. Marushka, trembling, knelt before them. \"Forgive me, kind sirs. My stepmother demands violets, but winter holds them fast.\" April, cloaked in budding green, smiled gently. \"The King is testing you. He wants the impossible.\" He held forth a golden coin.

Page 5

Marushka shook her head. "Gold will not fill a cruel heart," she insisted. February, wrapped in swirling snow, stepped forward.
Marushka shook her head. "Gold will not fill a cruel heart," she insisted. February, wrapped in swirling snow, stepped forward. "I will loan you a warm pelt." He conjured a white pelt from the ether. "Perhaps you should turn back. The forest holds many wolves, little one. Return home, warmth awaits."

Marushka shook her head. "Gold will not fill a cruel heart," she insisted. February, wrapped in swirling snow, stepped forward. "I will loan you a warm pelt." He conjured a white pelt from the ether. "Perhaps you should turn back. The forest holds many wolves, little one. Return home, warmth awaits."

Page 6

Again, Marushka refused. March, wreathed in blustery winds, sighed. \"So be it. The test of kindness is the greatest of all.
Again, Marushka refused. March, wreathed in blustery winds, sighed. \"So be it. The test of kindness is the greatest of all. Turn away, and you will become a part of the forest forever.

Again, Marushka refused. March, wreathed in blustery winds, sighed. \"So be it. The test of kindness is the greatest of all. Turn away, and you will become a part of the forest forever.

Page 7

\"Kindness isn't weakness,\" Marushka shouted. The wind subsided. March nodded. \"Very well. April, your turn.\" April stepped forward and waved his hand.
\"Kindness isn't weakness,\" Marushka shouted. The wind subsided. March nodded. \"Very well. April, your turn.\" April stepped forward and waved his hand. The forest around Marushka bloomed with violets, their delicate fragrance filling the air. \"Fill your basket, child,\" April said gently. \"But remember this gift comes with a cost.\"

\"Kindness isn't weakness,\" Marushka shouted. The wind subsided. March nodded. \"Very well. April, your turn.\" April stepped forward and waved his hand. The forest around Marushka bloomed with violets, their delicate fragrance filling the air. \"Fill your basket, child,\" April said gently. \"But remember this gift comes with a cost.\"

Page 8

Marushka rushed home, her basket overflowing. She presented the violets to her stepmother, who snatched them with greedy hands.
Marushka rushed home, her basket overflowing. She presented the violets to her stepmother, who snatched them with greedy hands. "Where did you find these, you wretch?" Holena demanded. "I'll find more," Marushka said, quietly. The next day, Holena went back to the clearing. After all, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply" – as Goethe said.

Marushka rushed home, her basket overflowing. She presented the violets to her stepmother, who snatched them with greedy hands. "Where did you find these, you wretch?" Holena demanded. "I'll find more," Marushka said, quietly. The next day, Holena went back to the clearing. After all, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply" – as Goethe said.

Page 9

Holena demanded the Months grant her jewels. The Months, angered by her greed, unleashed a blizzard. Holena, lost and frozen, became a statue of ice, forever…
Holena demanded the Months grant her jewels. The Months, angered by her greed, unleashed a blizzard. Holena, lost and frozen, became a statue of ice, forever trapped in winter. Marushka, seeing Holena's fate, wept. The forest, hearing her true sorrow, softened. The Months gathered and wept with her.

Holena demanded the Months grant her jewels. The Months, angered by her greed, unleashed a blizzard. Holena, lost and frozen, became a statue of ice, forever trapped in winter. Marushka, seeing Holena's fate, wept. The forest, hearing her true sorrow, softened. The Months gathered and wept with her.

Page 10

The Months released Holena from her icy prison, but she was changed. She was given the kindness to look upon all the months and understand their struggles.
The Months released Holena from her icy prison, but she was changed. She was given the kindness to look upon all the months and understand their struggles. Marushka learned to use her gifts for good, sharing them and teaching their ways. And so, Marushka blossomed. For in a world that demanded greed, it was her heart that understood a simple truth: Winter's harshness makes way for the beauty of spring. Kindness given is kindness returned.

The Months released Holena from her icy prison, but she was changed. She was given the kindness to look upon all the months and understand their struggles. Marushka learned to use her gifts for good, sharing them and teaching their ways. And so, Marushka blossomed. For in a world that demanded greed, it was her heart that understood a simple truth: Winter's harshness makes way for the beauty of spring. Kindness given is kindness returned.

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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