📝 Description
Characters & Their Appearance
🐦 Golden Bird – A radiant, majestic bird with shimmering golden feathers, bright tufted crest, and eyes like sapphires.
👑 Young Prince – A kind-hearted, brave youth dressed in simple royal tunic and boots, with earnest eyes and a hopeful smile.
🦊 Clever Fox – A sly, wise fox with glossy red fur, bright alert eyes, and a white-tipped tail—always watches and listens attentively.
🧓 King (Father) – A proud but loving ruler with grey hair, ornate robes, and a crown; he deeply cares about his kingdom.
👫 Older Brothers – Two boastful princes, tall and confident, wearing fine clothes and carrying swords—they begin the quest before the youngest prince.
📜 Script
Narrator:
Once, a king’s Golden Apple tree bore golden fruit that vanished each night. Alarmed, the king summoned his sons. The oldest stood guard—and slept. The apples disappeared. The second prince tried—and failed too.
🐦 Golden Bird (seen by the youngest):
“Who steals my golden apples?”
Narrator:
The youngest prince, gentle and patient, took his turn. He stayed awake—and at midnight, saw the Golden Bird alight on the tree and pluck an apple.
Prince (softly):
“I will follow you, friend.”
Narrator:
He set out to find and bring the Golden Bird back. Soon he met a clever fox by a stream.
🦊 Fox:
“If you follow me, I will guide you—but you must never harm me.”
Narrator:
They traveled together through deep forests and rocky hills. Often, the prince grew tired or impatient—but the fox guided him kindly.
They reached a splendid castle where the Golden Bird perched atop a tall tower. The prince began to climb—but the fox warned him, heart pounding:
🦊 Fox:
“Do not take the bird yet. Wait until I whisper. And listen closely.”
Narrator:
The prince nearly seized the bird—but the fox’s warning came just in time. He waited as instructed; stealth allowed him to gently take the bird.
But as they fled, the prince dropped a golden feather, and the fox warned:
🦊 Fox:
“If you stop to pick it up, trouble follows. Run! Do not delay.”
Narrator:
The prince obeyed—and reached home safely with the Golden Bird. Overjoyed, his father gave permission to continue—the Golden Bird alone wasn’t enough.
Next, the king demanded the Golden Horse—a flying steed of pure white and golden mane. The fox again guided the prince through dangerous mountains and rivers. They captured the golden horse, again not succumbing to distractions.
Finally, the king demanded the golden princess—the fairest maiden, hair of gold, from a distant land. The fox warned:
🦊 Fox:
“This princess is hidden in a glass castle. Take care, do not speak until we’re safe.”
Narrator:
At the glass castle, the prince resisted boasting and waited for the fox’s advice. He brought the princess back—pure of heart, silent—but her beauty spoke volumes.
Bringing all three treasures home, the king recognized the youngest prince’s true wisdom and courage. The Golden Bird sang again, the Golden Horse neighed, and the princess blessed the prince’s kindness. The older brothers, ashamed, asked forgiveness—and the kingdom rejoiced in forgiveness and renewal.
📚 Vocabulary
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Perch – to settle or land on a raised place.
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Steed – a horse, especially a spirited riding horse.
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Castle – a large fortified building or group of buildings.
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Whisper – to speak very quietly.
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Renewal – the act of creating something again; restoration.
💬 Useful Expressions
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“If you follow me, I will guide you.” – Trusting in someone wise can lead to success.
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“Do not stop to pick it up—run!” – Heeding advice can save you from danger.
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“Her beauty spoke volumes.” – Sometimes silence and presence express more than words.
❓ Comprehension Questions
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Why did the youngest prince succeed where his brothers failed?
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What rules did the fox give the prince when retrieving each treasure?
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How did the prince finally capture the Golden Bird without being caught?
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In what ways did the fox’s advice prove essential to the prince’s success?
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What lesson does the story teach about wisdom, patience, and obedience?