The Golden Apple – A German Folk Tale about a Princess and Her Dreams
The German folk tale "The Golden Apple" tells the story of a princess who finds a magical apple that grants wishes, and through her journey, learns the importance of kindness and wisdom.
Brief Description:
The Golden Apple is a magical tale about a princess who finds a golden apple that grants wishes. She learns to value true dreams and share happiness with others.
In a distant kingdom, there lived a princess named Amalia. She was kind and intelligent, but often felt sad because she believed her life was too predictable. Her days were the same: lessons, walks in the garden, and court balls. — I wish something extraordinary would happen in my life, — she often thought.
One morning, while walking through the palace garden, the princess noticed something unusual. On one of the branches of an old apple tree, a bright golden apple glistened. It shone in the sun as if it were made of pure gold. Amalia carefully picked the apple and read the inscription: — "Eat me, and your deepest wish will come true."
At first, the princess thought it was a joke, but her curiosity got the better of her. She took a small bite of the apple and whispered: — I want to see the world beyond the palace. In that moment, the garden disappeared, and she found herself on a green hill with a view of endless fields and forests. Her heart overflowed with joy.
Amalia traveled through the country, seeing how ordinary people lived. She helped farmers gather their harvest, shared bread with the poor, and played with village children. The princess realized that true happiness wasn't just in wealth, but also in caring for others.
When she returned to the garden, the apple once again shimmered in her hand. This time, she wanted to know what else she could wish for. — I wish for my kingdom to be happy and prosperous, — she said. At that moment, everything around her shone with light. Fertile fields, joyful faces of people, and the laughter of children — everything became better than before.
But then Amalia noticed that the apple had grown smaller. She realized that magic was not infinite, and each wish used up part of its power. The princess thought: — I must use its power wisely. It can help not just me, but others as well.
From that day on, the princess helped the people in her kingdom. Whenever someone needed special help, she would make a wish to change their life. And though the apple slowly disappeared, her heart filled with joy, for the happiness of the people became her own happiness.
Eventually, the apple vanished completely. But Amalia no longer felt sadness, for her kingdom thrived, and she became known as the kindest and wisest princess.
The Moral of the Story:
The story teaches that magic can grant wishes, but true happiness comes from how we use our gifts to help others.
Questions for Children:
- What wishes did the princess make?
- Why did she decide to use the apple to help others?
- What does this story teach us?
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