The Riddles of the Forgotten Castle

A daring princess and her dragon set off on an adventure to reclaim their castle, learning valuable lessons in teamwork and courage.

Age Recommendation

4 - 10 years

Characters of The Riddles of the Forgotten Castle

Characters:

• Princess Alara (a brave princess who will stop at nothing to save her castle)
• Blazewing (her loyal dragon friend who is always ready for adventure)
• Thistle the Witch (a clever witch who loves riddles and trickery)
• Willow the Wizard (a wise wizard who aids them on their journey)

Story of The Riddles of the Forgotten Castle

In a kingdom surrounded by green hills and mystical forests, there stood a beautiful castle. But one evening, dark clouds gathered, and a thick fog crept in. The castle, once bright and lively, was now under a deep enchantment cast by Thistle, the clever witch of the dark woods. Princess Alara, a brave young ruler, knew she had to save her home. Her loyal dragon, Blazewing, was always by her side, and together, they set out to find a way to break the spell.

The next morning, they journeyed toward the Enchanted Forest, where Thistle was rumored to dwell. Blazewing's wings glowed with a gentle, fiery light, helping Alara see through the thick mist. “Stay close, Blazewing,” Alara said, patting his scales. “We don’t know what surprises await us.”

As they walked deeper into the forest, strange whispers filled the air. Suddenly, an old, wise wizard named Willow appeared. “Princess Alara, I know why you’ve come,” he said, his eyes twinkling with wisdom. “The witch’s spell is powerful, but not unbreakable. To succeed, you must be brave, but you must also solve three riddles.” Willow handed her a small, magical feather. “This feather will guide you. Use it wisely.”

Determined, Alara and Blazewing thanked Willow and continued on their way. The forest seemed alive, with branches reaching out and shadows moving at every turn. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the mist—it was Thistle herself, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Well, well, Princess,” Thistle sneered. “So you wish to save your castle? Very well. But first, you must solve my riddles, or the spell will remain forever.” Alara nodded, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.

Thistle smirked and asked the first riddle: “What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet never grows?” Alara thought for a moment and then smiled, “A mountain!” she answered confidently.

Thistle’s eyes narrowed, clearly annoyed. “Very well, you’ve solved the first riddle. But there are two more,” she said, as the forest around them grew darker. She waved her hand, and the trees seemed to move, shifting to block their way. But Alara and Blazewing pressed on, determined.

After a while, Thistle appeared again with her second riddle: “Voiceless it cries, wingless it flutters, toothless it bites, mouthless it mutters. What am I?” Alara and Blazewing exchanged a glance, and then Alara replied, “The wind!”

Thistle scowled, her face turning red with frustration. “Fine. But the final riddle will not be so easy.” She raised her hands, and a dark mist surrounded them. “This is your last chance, Princess,” she said, her voice echoing in the shadows.

Thistle’s final riddle was, “I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?” Alara thought long and hard. Then, a memory surfaced—she had seen a map in her father’s study with cities, mountains, and rivers. “A map!” she exclaimed.

The mist began to clear as Thistle let out an angry huff. “You are clever, Princess. But remember, courage is only part of the journey.” With that, she disappeared into the shadows, and the forest returned to its usual calm.

Blazewing roared with joy, and together, they raced back to the castle, the magical feather glowing in Alara’s hand. As they reached the castle, the feather burst into light, and the enchantment was lifted. The sun shone brightly, and the people of the kingdom cheered for their brave princess.

Moral of the Story

True bravery is not just about strength; it’s also about using wisdom and staying calm when faced with challenges. Alara’s courage and clever thinking helped her save the kingdom.

Questions to Think About

• How did Princess Alara solve the witch’s riddles?
• Why do you think Thistle was so frustrated when Alara solved each riddle?
• What would you do if you were in a forest with a magical witch?
• What does it mean to be both brave and wise?

Do You Know

• Riddles have been used in stories for centuries to test characters’ wisdom.
• Dragons in folklore are often symbols of protection, strength, and loyalty.

Word Explorer

• Enchantment: A magical spell that changes something in a mysterious way.
• Riddle: A question or statement intentionally phrased to require thought to solve.
• Bravery: The courage to face danger or difficulties.

Emotions in the Story

• Bravery: When Alara enters the forest to save her castle.
• Curiosity: When she encounters Willow and receives his guidance.
• Frustration: As Thistle’s spells and riddles challenge Alara and Blazewing.

Color Your Scene

Imagine Princess Alara in the dark forest, with Blazewing’s glowing wings lighting the way. Thistle watches from the shadows as they solve the riddles. How would you color the forest, Alara’s dress, and Blazewing’s fiery glow?

Parents' Corner

This story explores the balance between bravery and wisdom. Ask your child about a time they solved a problem by thinking carefully, and discuss how being both strong and smart can help them succeed.