Once upon a time, in a quiet little village surrounded by rolling hills and whispering forests, there lived a curious girl named Lila. Lila was no ordinary child her imagination was as big as the sky, and her heart was brimming with dreams of adventure. While other children played games or helped their parents in the fields, Lila spent her days exploring the woods, pretending to be an intrepid explorer on a quest for hidden treasures. One sunny morning, as the golden rays of the sun glimmered through the trees, Lila stumbled upon something unusual. Nestled beneath a patch of wildflowers was a tiny, glittering key. It was no bigger than her thumb and sparkled like a star. Intrigued, Lila picked it up and turned it over in her hand.
"What could this unlock?" she wondered aloud. Just as she was pondering, a soft, musical voice came from the bushes. "That, brave Lila, is the Key of Wonder. " Startled, Lila turned to see a tiny, winged creature hovering before her. It was a fairy, no taller than a teacup, with shimmering wings that glowed like moonlight. "The Key of Wonder?" Lila asked, her eyes wide with excitement. The fairy nodded.
"It opens the door to the Everchanging Castle, a magical place filled with secrets and surprises. But beware the castle only appears to those who are truly brave and kind at heart. " Lila's heart raced. A magical castle? Secrets and surprises? This was exactly the kind of adventure she had always dreamed of! "Where can I find this castle?" she asked eagerly. The fairy pointed deeper into the forest. "Follow the trail of silver leaves. When you find a door with no walls, use the key.
But remember, the castle will test your courage and kindness. " Without a moment's hesitation, Lila tucked the key into her pocket and set off. As she walked, she began to notice the silver leaves scattered on the forest floor. They shimmered in the sunlight, forming a sparkling trail that led her farther and farther from the village. After a while, Lila came to a clearing where a strange door stood all alone. It was tall and ornate, made of polished wood with intricate carvings of stars and moons. Lila's hand trembled with excitement as she pulled out the tiny key and slid it into the lock.
With a soft click, the door swung open, and Lila stepped through. On the other side was the most extraordinary sight she had ever seen. The Everchanging Castle stood before her, its towers twisting and turning as if they were alive. The walls shimmered with colours that danced like rainbows, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. "Welcome, Lila," came a deep, booming voice. It belonged to a talking lion with a mane made of golden flames. "I am the Guardian of the Castle.
To explore its wonders, you must first pass three tests one of courage, one of kindness, and one of cleverness. " Lila nodded, her heart pounding with both fear and excitement. "I'm ready," she said. The lion led her to the first test, a dark hallway filled with eerie shadows. "To pass this test of courage," the lion explained, "you must walk through the hallway without turning back. " Lila took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness. The shadows seemed to whisper and move, but she reminded herself that they were only illusions.
With steady steps, she made it to the other side, where the lion was waiting. "Well done, Lila," he said with a proud smile. For the second test, the lion took Lila to a garden where a tiny bird lay trapped under a thorny vine. "This is the test of kindness," the lion said. "Help the bird, but be careful not to hurt it or yourself. " Lila knelt beside the bird, speaking to it in a soothing voice. Gently, she untangled the thorns, taking care not to tug too hard.
After a few moments, the bird was free. It chirped happily and flew around her head before disappearing into the sky. The lion nodded approvingly. "Your kindness shines brightly, Lila. " For the final test, the lion led her to a sparkling fountain that bubbled with golden water. "This is the test of cleverness," he said. "Solve the riddle hidden here, and the castle's greatest treasure will be yours.
" Lila gazed at the fountain and noticed an inscription on its edge I am not alive, but I grow. I have no mouth, but I can drown. What am I? She thought for a moment, her brow furrowed. Then, with a smile, she exclaimed, "Water!" The fountain glowed brightly, and from its depths rose a small, crystal box. Lila opened it to find a shining star that fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. "This is the Star of Dreams," the lion explained. "It will guide you through life's adventures, reminding you to be brave, kind, and clever.
" As the sun began to set, the castle began to fade, and the lion said, "It is time for you to return home, Lila. But remember, the spirit of adventure will always be with you. " With the star safely tucked in her pocket, Lila stepped back through the door. She found herself in the familiar forest, but everything seemed brighter, more magical. From that day on, Lila shared her story with everyone in the village, inspiring them to seek their own adventures. And so, Lila lived happily ever after, her heart forever full of wonder and the promise of new discoveries.
A tiny, glittering key.
A tiny, shimmering winged fairy.
The door to the magical Everchanging Castle.
To walk through a dark hallway without turning back.
She gently freed it from the thorny vine.
The answer is water.
The Star of Dreams, a glowing magical star. (EN-GB)