The Water of Life

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

The Water of Life — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

The Water of Life — book cover — Wonder Tales
The Water of Life — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.

Page 1

In a kingdom carved from gemstone caverns and echoing with the music of subterranean rivers, lived King Oberon, whose laughter was the kingdom's light.
In a kingdom carved from gemstone caverns and echoing with the music of subterranean rivers, lived King Oberon, whose laughter was the kingdom's light. But a shadow fell when the King fell ill, his spirit fading like a dying ember. Only the legendary Water of Life, found at the source of the Whisperwind River, could restore him.

In a kingdom carved from gemstone caverns and echoing with the music of subterranean rivers, lived King Oberon, whose laughter was the kingdom's light. But a shadow fell when the King fell ill, his spirit fading like a dying ember. Only the legendary Water of Life, found at the source of the Whisperwind River, could restore him. Two princes, Lothar the bold and Elara the contemplative, each harbored a secret desire for the throne, and only one would brave the depths to save their father.

Page 2

Lothar, eager to prove his worth, declared, "I shall bring back the Water of Life! My strength will overcome any obstacle." Elara, quieter but no less…
Lothar, eager to prove his worth, declared, "I shall bring back the Water of Life! My strength will overcome any obstacle." Elara, quieter but no less determined, said, "I will go as well, Father. Perhaps a gentle approach will succeed where force fails."

Lothar, eager to prove his worth, declared, "I shall bring back the Water of Life! My strength will overcome any obstacle." Elara, quieter but no less determined, said, "I will go as well, Father. Perhaps a gentle approach will succeed where force fails."

Page 3

Before they departed, the royal cartographer offered Elara an ancient scroll. "This map," the old man rasped, "shows the hidden paths through the caverns.
Before they departed, the royal cartographer offered Elara an ancient scroll. "This map," the old man rasped, "shows the hidden paths through the caverns. It's said the Water of Life responds only to those who understand the river's secrets." Elara examined the brittle parchment, a network of shimmering lines drawn with what looked like crushed gemstones.

Before they departed, the royal cartographer offered Elara an ancient scroll. "This map," the old man rasped, "shows the hidden paths through the caverns. It's said the Water of Life responds only to those who understand the river's secrets." Elara examined the brittle parchment, a network of shimmering lines drawn with what looked like crushed gemstones.

Page 4

Lothar, impatient, scoffed at the map. "Maps are for the weak! I'll take the direct route. The river flows downward; I'll simply follow it." He plunged into a…
Lothar, impatient, scoffed at the map. "Maps are for the weak! I'll take the direct route. The river flows downward; I'll simply follow it." He plunged into a dark tunnel, his armor clanging against the cavern walls. Soon, he came to a shimmering vein of pure gold.

Lothar, impatient, scoffed at the map. "Maps are for the weak! I'll take the direct route. The river flows downward; I'll simply follow it." He plunged into a dark tunnel, his armor clanging against the cavern walls. Soon, he came to a shimmering vein of pure gold.

Page 5

A voice boomed, "Take the gold, Prince. It will buy you anything you desire, even the throne." Before him stood a towering golem made of gemstone and shadow.
A voice boomed, "Take the gold, Prince. It will buy you anything you desire, even the throne." Before him stood a towering golem made of gemstone and shadow. "I want the Water of Life," Lothar declared. "Give it to me!" "First," the golem rasped, "a tribute: your strength. A single strike to this cavern wall, and the water is yours."

A voice boomed, "Take the gold, Prince. It will buy you anything you desire, even the throne." Before him stood a towering golem made of gemstone and shadow. "I want the Water of Life," Lothar declared. "Give it to me!" "First," the golem rasped, "a tribute: your strength. A single strike to this cavern wall, and the water is yours."

Page 6

Lothar, blinded by the promise, struck the cavern wall with all his might. The blow shattered the rock, but also unleashed a torrent of dark water.
Lothar, blinded by the promise, struck the cavern wall with all his might. The blow shattered the rock, but also unleashed a torrent of dark water. The golem laughed. "Your strength is mine, Prince! Now wander, as weak as you were before your royalty."

Lothar, blinded by the promise, struck the cavern wall with all his might. The blow shattered the rock, but also unleashed a torrent of dark water. The golem laughed. "Your strength is mine, Prince! Now wander, as weak as you were before your royalty."

Page 7

Elara, following the map, reached a hidden grotto. A pool shimmered with a faint, ethereal light. An old woman sat by the pool, her face etched with wisdom.
Elara, following the map, reached a hidden grotto. A pool shimmered with a faint, ethereal light. An old woman sat by the pool, her face etched with wisdom. "You seek the Water of Life?" she asked. "Tell me, what is the most important thing to protect?"

Elara, following the map, reached a hidden grotto. A pool shimmered with a faint, ethereal light. An old woman sat by the pool, her face etched with wisdom. "You seek the Water of Life?" she asked. "Tell me, what is the most important thing to protect?"

Page 8

"As Helen Keller said, 'The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart,'" Elara replied.
"As Helen Keller said, 'The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart,'" Elara replied. "Therefore I protect love, beauty, and understanding." The old woman smiled. "The river recognizes truth. Fill your vessel."

"As Helen Keller said, 'The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart,'" Elara replied. "Therefore I protect love, beauty, and understanding." The old woman smiled. "The river recognizes truth. Fill your vessel."

Page 9

Elara returned to the kingdom and gave the Water of Life to his father. As the King drank, color returned to his cheeks, and his laughter echoed through the…
Elara returned to the kingdom and gave the Water of Life to his father. As the King drank, color returned to his cheeks, and his laughter echoed through the cavern once more. Lothar, humbled, confessed his mistake.

Elara returned to the kingdom and gave the Water of Life to his father. As the King drank, color returned to his cheeks, and his laughter echoed through the cavern once more. Lothar, humbled, confessed his mistake.

Page 10

King Oberon, restored to health, ruled with wisdom and compassion, guided by Elara's thoughtful heart. Lothar, learning from his pride, became a protector of…
King Oberon, restored to health, ruled with wisdom and compassion, guided by Elara's thoughtful heart. Lothar, learning from his pride, became a protector of the realm. And so, the kingdom flourished, proving that true strength lies not in force, but in understanding.

King Oberon, restored to health, ruled with wisdom and compassion, guided by Elara's thoughtful heart. Lothar, learning from his pride, became a protector of the realm. And so, the kingdom flourished, proving that true strength lies not in force, but in understanding.

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

Read Wonder Tales on your phone

Wonder Tales is available on Android. Get Wonder Tales on Google Play.

More Wonder Tales stories

All Wonder Tales stories · Open the library