Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Haunted Carousel

(Storytober - Day 7 - Carousel) 

Once upon a time, in a small, forgotten town, there stood an abandoned amusement park. The townsfolk whispered tales of eerie happenings and ghostly apparitions, but none dared to venture near, especially on Halloween night. At the heart of this forsaken place was a decrepit carousel, its once vibrant colors faded and its music long silenced.

On a chilly Halloween evening, a young boy named Oliver and his sister, Lily, found themselves drawn to the park. They had heard the stories but were too curious to resist. As they approached the carousel, a cold wind blew, and the air seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy.

"Oliver, do you think it's true? The stories about the carousel?" Lily asked, her voice trembling.

Oliver, trying to be brave for his sister, nodded. "We'll be fine, Lily. Let's just take a quick look and then go home."

But as they stepped closer, the carousel suddenly sprang to life. The lights flickered on, casting an eerie glow, and the haunting melody of a forgotten tune filled the air. The wooden horses, once still and lifeless, began to move, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

Before Oliver could react, a sinister figure emerged from the shadows. It was the carousel's operator, a tall, gaunt man with hollow eyes and a twisted smile.

"Welcome, children," he hissed. "I've been waiting for you."

Lily screamed as the operator grabbed her, pulling her onto one of the carousel's horses. Oliver lunged forward, but it was too late. The carousel began to spin faster and faster, and in a flash, Lily and the operator vanished.

Desperate to save his sister, Oliver climbed onto the carousel. As it spun, he felt a strange sensation, as if he were being transported to another world. When the carousel finally stopped, he found himself in a dark, misty forest, filled with ghostly riders and enchanted animals.

"Oliver, help me!" Lily's voice echoed through the trees.

Oliver followed the sound, his heart pounding. He soon came across a group of ghostly riders, their faces pale and eyes hollow. Among them was a beautiful white horse with a golden mane, its eyes filled with sadness.

"Please, help me find my sister," Oliver pleaded.

The horse nodded and spoke in a soft, melodic voice. "To save your sister, you must solve the carousel's mysteries. Only then can you break the curse."

Oliver climbed onto the horse's back, and they galloped through the forest. Along the way, they encountered various enchanted animals, each with a clue to the carousel's secrets. A wise old owl told them of a hidden key, a mischievous fox revealed the location of a secret door, and a gentle deer guided them to a forgotten well.

With each clue, Oliver grew closer to finding his sister. Finally, they reached the heart of the forest, where the sinister operator awaited, holding Lily captive.

"You've done well, boy," the operator sneered. "But you'll never defeat me."

Summoning all his courage, Oliver held up the key he had found. "I will save my sister and break your curse!"

The operator laughed, but as Oliver inserted the key into a hidden lock on the carousel, a blinding light erupted. The ghostly riders and enchanted animals began to fade, their spirits finally free.

With a final, anguished cry, the operator vanished, and the carousel returned to its decrepit state. Oliver and Lily found themselves back in the abandoned amusement park, the eerie glow and haunting melody gone.

"Oliver, you did it!" Lily cried, hugging her brother tightly.

Oliver smiled, relief washing over him. "Let's go home, Lily. This place is no longer haunted."

And so, hand in hand, they left the park, the tales of the haunted carousel becoming just another story to tell. But every Halloween, the townsfolk would remember the brave boy who saved his sister and freed the spirits trapped within the carousel.

And they lived happily ever after.