Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a wise and generous king who had a rare and beautiful golden apple tree. The apples were said to bring great fortune, but each morning, the king discovered the apples mysteriously vanished. Troubled by the loss, the king decided to catch the thief, so he asked his three sons to guard the tree through the night.
The eldest son took the first night’s watch, but as the stars twinkled overhead, he grew drowsy and fell fast asleep. The next night, the second son took his turn, but he too drifted off, unable to stay awake. When it was the youngest son’s turn, he vowed to stay alert and uncover the mystery.
As the night deepened and a cool breeze stirred the leaves, the youngest son heard a gentle rustling. He looked up to see a shimmering golden bird gliding toward the tree, its feathers glowing under the moonlight. Suddenly, a small fox with a clever sparkle in its eye appeared beside him and whispered, “If you wish to catch the golden bird, follow my lead.”
The youngest son and the fox quickly devised a plan, and they followed the bird deep into the forest. Their journey led them across wide rivers, up towering cliffs, and through tangled forests. Despite the many challenges, the youngest son’s determination never wavered. Finally, after an arduous journey, they arrived at the golden bird’s hidden nest.
The youngest son approached quietly and managed to catch the bird. “Let me go,” the bird pleaded, “and I will grant you treasures and luck beyond your dreams.” But the young prince remembered his promise to his father and knew he must stay true to his word.
The prince returned home with the golden bird, and the king celebrated his success. But the king’s demands were not over; he sent the youngest son on even greater quests. With his loyal friend, the clever fox, by his side, the prince set off once again. He captured a magical golden horse and even rescued a princess from an enchanted castle, earning respect and admiration across the land.
In the end, the youngest son returned, not only as a hero but also as a prince who had proven his kindness, courage, and loyalty. With the wisdom and strength he had gained from his journey, he became a beloved king, bringing peace and prosperity to the kingdom.
And every night, as he looked upon the golden apple tree, he would remember his grand adventure, the clever fox, and the bird that led him to a lifetime of lessons and love.
The End!
Follow-up questions:
- Why was it so important to the king to find out who was taking his apples?
- How did the youngest prince manage to see the golden bird when his brothers could not?
- What valuable lesson did the youngest prince learn on his adventure?
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