Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a little village nestled in the heart of a dense forest. The villagers lived peacefully, surrounded by beautiful flowers, majestic trees, and playful animals. In this village, there lived a young girl named Emma. She had golden curls and sparkling blue eyes, and she loved to explore the enchanted forest. Every day, Emma would venture deeper into the woods, her heart filled with curiosity and wonder.
One sunny day, as Emma was walking through a thick carpet of moss, she stumbled upon an old, dusty book hidden beneath a pile of colorful leaves. Excitedly, she brushed it off and discovered that it was a book filled with magical stories. The first story was called "Il y a fort longtemps," which meant "A long time ago" in a language nobody in the village knew anymore. Emma decided to read it under the warm glow of her lantern before falling asleep.
The story spoke of a beautiful kingdom ruled by a brave king and a wise queen. Their kingdom was so magical that the seasons changed with the turn of a key and laughter filled the air as brightly as the sun. It was a world where dreams came true, and everyone lived in harmony. But in this kingdom, there also lived a wicked sorceress who grew jealous of the happiness that surrounded her. She cast a powerful spell over the kingdom, turning everything dark and gloomy. Her curse trapped the kingdom in an eternal winter, and all of its joy and laughter disappeared.
The king and queen tried everything they could to break the spell, but nothing worked. The kingdom remained trapped, and its people grew sad and hopeless. However, the story told of a prophecy, a legend that foretold the arrival of a young, pure-hearted child who would save the kingdom from the curse. This child would need to have unwavering belief, extraordinary kindness, and unwavering courage in their heart.
As Emma read this, a strange feeling filled her chest. She realized that she had stumbled upon a story that held more power than just words on a page. Emma knew she had to be that child to save the kingdom! Filled with determination, Emma closed her eyes and wished with all her might for the strength and courage to embark on this magical journey. She fell into a deep sleep, and when she awoke, she found herself standing in front of the enchanted kingdom.
The villagers welcomed Emma with open arms, and together they began their quest to break the curse. Emma held the key that would unlock the magic and bring back the light and warmth to the kingdom. With each step, Emma faced challenges and dangers, but her brave heart never wavered. She always remembered the words of the story and stayed true to her pure-hearted nature. Along the way, she made friends with magical creatures, who helped guide her on her path.
Finally, after a long and often challenging journey, Emma reached the top of the highest tower. She inserted the key into the magic keyhole, and with a turn, the kingdom's enchantment shattered like glass. The sun burst through the clouds, birds sang the sweetest melody, and wildflowers sprung up, painting the kingdom in vibrant colors. Emma's bravery had saved Il y a fort longtemps, and the kingdom was renewed with joy and laughter once again.
As a reward for her courage, the king and queen declared Emma the honorary princess of Il y a fort longtemps, and the villagers crowned her their little heroine. Emma's heart was filled with warmth and happiness as she realized that true magic is not just found in fairy tales but also in the depths of one's own bravery and belief. From that day forward, Emma's bedtime story became a tale embedded in the memory of the villagers—a story that taught them the power of courage, kindness, and the importance of believing in the magic that exists within us all.
And so, every night, as Emma drifted off to sleep, she knew her adventure had only just begun, for the enchanted forest held many more secrets and magical stories waiting to be discovered.
Reflection Questions