Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Garden Kingdom

 In a secluded corner of the world, behind the ivy-covered walls of Mrs. Lavender's cottage, lay the sprawling Garden Kingdom. To the untrained eye, it was just an ordinary garden, but to the creatures the size of ants, it was a vast country with diverse cities and landscapes.

The kingdom was divided into several cities, each with its own unique charm. Rosehaven, the capital, was a bustling metropolis built within the thorny embrace of rose bushes, where the air was always perfumed with their sweet scent, its walls made from interlocking rose stems, providing both protection and an ever-blooming facade. Dandelion Hollow was a whimsical place, it was the center of innovation, where the citizens ingeniously used dandelion seeds to float from place to place, creating a network of aerial pathways that connected the entire city. Bluebell Woods was the cultural heart of the kingdom, a place where art and music flourished under the soft glow of bioluminescent mushrooms and firefly lanterns. It was here that the kingdom's history was preserved, in the songs sung by the bards and the tales told by the elders.

The ruler of this grand kingdom was King Thistle, a wise and just monarch who wore a crown made from the finest twigs and a cloak of spider silk. His subjects, tiny humans with the courage of giants, lived in a world where every leaf was a forest and every puddle a vast ocean.

The tiny humans of the Garden Kingdom had formed a symbiotic relationship with the insects. Bees, revered as the kingdom's builders, constructed intricate honeycomb structures that served as storage and homes. Ants were the workforce, moving resources with incredible efficiency, and the majestic butterflies were a symbol of the kingdom's soul, representing transformation and beauty.

They had a secret pact with the ladybugs, who served as the knights of the realm, protecting the garden from any harm.

Mrs. Lavender, the human guardian of the Garden Kingdom, was revered as a gentle giantess. She tended to the garden with love and care, ensuring that the natural balance was maintained and that the kingdom remained hidden from the outside world. Her presence was a comforting constant for the tiny citizens, and her laughter was like music to their ears.

Life in the Garden Kingdom was not without its challenges. The changing seasons brought with them new trials, from the scorching heat of summer to the bitter cold of winter. Yet, through cooperation and the guidance of Mrs. Lavender, the kingdom always found a way to thrive.

As the moon cast its silver glow over the garden, the kingdom would come alive with the twinkling lights of firefly lanterns, and the air would be filled with the music of cricket orchestras. It was a hidden gem, a place where the smallest of beings led lives full of joy, adventure, and love always under the watchful eye of Mrs. Lavender.

As the Garden Kingdom basked in the tranquility of a serene summer, an ominous buzz began to fill the air. A miniature army, fierce and formidable, approached from beyond the garden's borders. Mounted on hornets, their armor glinting in the sunlight, they were the displaced people of a fallen realm, led by their prince, General Thorn.

The citizens of the Garden Kingdom, though peaceful, were not defenseless. They rallied their forces, the ladybug knights took to their backs, and the battle for their beloved home began. The sky above Rosehaven became a canvas of chaos, painted with the clashes between hornet and ladybug, thorn and petal.

In the midst of the turmoil, tragedy struck. General Thorn was thrown from his mount, tumbling to the ground below. Princess Poppy, King Thistle's brave daughter, witnessed his fall. Moved by a compassion that knew no bounds, she rushed to his side, her hands working diligently to tend to his wounds.

As she cared for the injured prince, a truth unfolded before her eyes. These invaders were not conquerors but refugees, driven by desperation and loss. Their own Garden Kingdom had been destroyed, not by nature or time, but by the relentless march of human progress. Their guardian had passed, and with no one to protect their home, it had been razed to make way for cold, lifeless office buildings.

The war halted, as both sides recognized the pain mirrored in each other's stories. Princess Poppy and General Thorn, through their unexpected bond, sowed the seeds of peace. The Garden Kingdom opened its gates, its heart, to these lost souls.

Mrs. Lavender, witnessing the unity from her cottage, vowed to safeguard both kingdoms' people with even greater fervor. She and her descendants would become the eternal guardians of this expanded realm, ensuring that the beauty and sanctity of the garden would endure for generations to come.

And so, the Garden Kingdom grew not only in size but in spirit. The newcomers were integrated, their culture and knowledge enriching the tapestry of the kingdom. Princess Poppy and General Thorn's love blossomed like the rarest of flowers, a symbol of hope and unity.

In the end, the Garden Kingdom stood as a beacon of harmony, a place where every creature, big or small, had a home—a kingdom far removed from the shadows of towering cities, a paradise preserved by the love and dedication of Mrs. Lavender and the courage of its people.