Princess Elysia discovers a magical forest where wishes come true, but she must solve riddles to unlock its secrets.
Age Recommendation
3 – 12 years
Characters
Characters:
- Princess Elysia (a curious and adventurous young princess)
- Alder (a wise old tree with magical powers)
- Brindle (a friendly forest sprite who loves riddles)
Story
Once upon a time in the kingdom of Elderglen, there lived a curious young princess named Elysia. One sunny morning, she ventured beyond the castle walls, her golden hair catching the light as she skipped through the meadows. Elysia had heard tales of a magical forest where wishes came true, and today she was determined to find it. As she wandered deeper into the woods, she noticed the trees whispering secrets to each other with every gentle breeze.
The Enchanted Clearing
After walking for hours, Elysia stumbled into an enchanted clearing where a mighty tree stood taller than all the rest. It was Alder, the wise old tree. His branches swayed gently as he spoke, “Welcome, Princess Elysia. You have found the Forest of Wishes. But to make your wish come true, you must first solve the riddles of the forest.”
Brindle’s Challenge
Just then, a tiny sprite named Brindle fluttered down from Alder’s branches. He giggled and said, “I am Brindle, and I love riddles! If you can solve three of my riddles, your wish shall be granted.” Excited yet nervous, Elysia nodded, ready for the challenge.
The First Riddle
“I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind,” Brindle recited. Elysia pondered for a moment before she smiled and answered, “An echo!” Brindle clapped his hands in delight.
The Second Riddle
Brindle then posed the second riddle, “I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every person.” Elysia thought deeply and then guessed, “A pencil!” Again, Brindle cheered, impressed by her cleverness.
The Final Riddle
For the final riddle, Brindle said, “I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter but not go outside. What am I?” After a brief silence, Elysia joyfully shouted, “A keyboard!” With that, Brindle danced in the air, showering her with sparkles.
The Wish
Alder spoke once more, “You have solved the riddles, Princess Elysia. Now, make your wish.” Elysia closed her eyes and wished for peace and happiness for her kingdom. The forest glowed with a warm light, and Alder whispered, “Your wish shall be carried by the winds of Elderglen.”
The end.
Moral of the Story
The story teaches that with curiosity, cleverness, and perseverance, one can unlock the secrets of the world and bring happiness to others.
Questions to Think About
- What do you think made Elysia want to find the magical forest?
- How did Elysia solve Brindle’s riddles?
- Why do you think Elysia wished for peace and happiness for her kingdom?
- What would you wish for if you found a magical forest?
- How can solving riddles help you in real life?
Do You Know
- Some forests have trees that are hundreds of years old, just like Alder in the story!
- Sprites are often thought of as tiny, magical creatures that protect nature.
Word Explorer
- Echo: A sound that bounces back to you.
- Sprite: A small, magical, elf-like creature.
- Riddle: A tricky question that has a clever answer.
Emotions in the Story
- Curiosity: When Elysia wanted to explore the magical forest to discover its secrets.
- Excitement: When she successfully solved each of Brindle’s riddles.
- Happiness: After making a wish for her kingdom’s peace and seeing the forest glow.
Color Your Scene
Imagine the moment when the forest glows with a warm light after Elysia makes her wish. Draw Alder’s towering tree with shimmering leaves and Brindle’s sparkles filling the air. Use colors like gold, green, and silver to bring the magical setting to life.
Parents’ Corner
This story is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your child about:
Curiosity: Encourage them to explore and ask questions about the world around them.
Problem-solving and perseverance: Discuss how Elysia used her cleverness to solve each riddle and how important it is not to give up when faced with challenges.
Wishing for others: Talk about the value of thinking of others first and how making a wish for someone else’s happiness can be fulfilling.
