Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Orchard of Illuminated Trees

Once upon a time, in the heart of a vast and ancient forest in Ligon, there lay an orchard unlike any other. This was the Orchard of Illuminated Trees, where the trees bore fruits that glowed like lanterns, casting a gentle, ethereal light upon the forest floor. The trees stood tall and proud, their branches heavy with the luminous fruits that shimmered like stars against the dark night sky.

In a small, cozy cottage at the edge of this magical grove lived a young orchard keeper named Haakon. Haakon was a kind-hearted and curious soul, with eyes that sparkled with the same light as the fruits he tended. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Haakon would walk among the trees, marveling at their beauty and wondering about the secrets they held.

One night, as Haakon wandered deeper into the orchard than ever before, he noticed something peculiar. One of the fruits, larger and brighter than the rest, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Intrigued, Haakon reached out and gently plucked the fruit from the branch. As he held it in his hands, he felt a warmth emanating from within, and a soft, melodic hum filled the air.

"Who are you?" Haakon whispered, his voice barely audible over the gentle hum.

To his astonishment, the fruit began to speak. "I am a star, trapped within this fruit," it said, its voice like a distant echo. "Long ago, I fell from the heavens and was caught by the magic of this orchard. Now, I am bound to this tree, unable to return to the sky."

Haakon's heart ached with empathy for the star. "How can I help you?" he asked, determination shining in his eyes.

The star's light flickered with hope. "You must find the ancient rune hidden within the heart of the forest," it explained. "Only with its power can you break the spell and set me free."

Without hesitation, Haakon set off on his quest. The forest was dark and foreboding, but the light from the star-fruit guided his way. He journeyed through dense thickets and over babbling brooks, his resolve unwavering and his though focused on the trapped star.

After what felt like an eternity, Haakon reached the heart of the forest. There, nestled among the roots of an ancient oak tree, he found the rune—a stone inscribed with symbols that glowed with a faint, otherworldly light. With trembling hands, Haakon picked up the rune and felt its power surge through him.

Returning to the orchard, Haakon held the rune aloft and spoke the words of the spell. The air crackled with energy, and the fruit in his hands began to glow brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. With a final burst of light, the fruit shattered, and the star within was released, soaring back into the night sky.

Haakon watched in awe as the star ascended, its light joining the countless others that twinkled above. Tears of joy streamed down his face, for he knew he had done something truly extraordinary.

The orchard, too, seemed to rejoice. The trees glowed more brightly than ever, their fruits shimmering with renewed vigor. As Haakon stood amidst the glowing grove, he began to hear a multitude of voices calling out to him, as if his actions had awakened countless lost souls. Intrigued and slightly unnerved, he decided to walk through the trees. With each step, the voices grew clearer, and Haakon realized they were not a figment of his imagination but emanated from the fruits themselves. The trees, it seemed, were like traps for the stars, catching them as they fell from the heavens. The fruits' brilliant glow was a testament to the imprisoned stars within, their light shining through the confines of their vegetal prisons.

Haakon's heart was heavy with the realization. He thought long and hard about what he should do. Should he cut down the trees and end their magical trap? But they were really important for the whole kingdom. Their sap healed wounds and served as glue, their wood built homes, and their leaves brewed teas that cured the worst ailments.

"No," Haakon decided, his resolve firm. "I cannot destroy these trees. They are too important to our lives."

Instead, Haakon took it upon himself to free each star, one by one. Every night, he would walk through the orchard, carefully plucking the glowing fruits and releasing the stars within. It was a slow and meticulous task, but Haakon was patient and dedicated. He became known not just as an orchard keeper, but as a guardian of the stars.

The villagers came to admire Haakon's dedication and kindness. They would often join him in the orchard, helping to free the stars and sharing stories under the glowing canopy. Haakon's role as a star guardian brought the community closer together, and the orchard became a place of wonder and hope.