Wild Swans

Once upon a time, in a land filled with magic and mystery, there lived a young princess named Eliza. Eliza had eleven brothers, and they were a happy, loving family. Their kingdom was surrounded by a thick, magical forest, which held secrets and wonders beyond imagination.

One day, while exploring the woods, the royal siblings stumbled upon a hidden clearing where a magnificent pond sparkled with the light of a thousand fireflies. As they were amazed by the beauty, a kind and gentle witch appeared before them. Her name was Agnes, and she sensed the pure hearts of the princess and her brothers.

Agnes gave the children a special gift – a set of beautiful swan feathers. When woven into a cloak and worn, the feathers would allow them to transform into swans. Eliza and her brothers were overjoyed with their new abilities, and they spent their days flying through the skies and dancing on the water.

But, as with many magical tales, a shadow appeared on the horizon. The wicked witch, Morgana, jealous of the joyous siblings, cast a dark spell on Eliza's brothers. The magic turned them into swans, leaving Eliza alone and heartbroken.

Decided to break the curse, Eliza went on a quest to find a way to save her brothers. Guided by the light of a magical necklace given to her by Agnes, she journeyed through dark forests, crossed raging rivers, and climbed towering mountains.

Along her quest, Eliza met friendly woodland creatures who offered help and wisdom. A wise old owl, a playful squirrel, and a gentle deer joined her in the pursuit of breaking the curse that held her brothers captive.

As the brave princess approached Morgana's lair, she faced many challenges. The wicked witch sent storms and obstacles in her path, but Eliza's determination and love for her brothers kept her going.

Finally, with the guidance of the necklace, Eliza discovered the secret to breaking the curse. She needed to gather a bouquet of rare and magical flowers scattered across the kingdom and create a special magic drink.

With the help of her new friends, Eliza collected the flowers and brewed the drink under the light of the full moon. As she sprinkled the drink on her brothers, a magical transformation occurred. The swans turned back into princes, and the curse was lifted.

The reunited family returned to their kingdom, where they celebrated their victory over darkness. Eliza, now wiser and stronger, became a beloved queen, ruling with kindness and love.

And so, the tale of "The Wild Swans" became a cherished story in the kingdom, passed down through generations, reminding everyone of the enduring power of love and the magic that can be found in the most unexpected places. As the children drifted off to sleep, they dreamt of soaring through the skies with the Wild Swans, their hearts filled with joy and wonder.

The end!

Follow-up questions:

• What special gift did Agnes give to Eliza and her brothers?

• Why did Morgana cast a spell on Eliza's brothers?

• How did Eliza break the curse and save her brothers?