Once upon a time, in a simple cottage placed at the edge of a thick forest, there lived two brothers named Hans and Karl. Hans, the younger brother, was known for his kind heart, while Karl, the older brother, was strong and brave, with a will to protect those he loved.
One day, their father fell ill, and sensing that he was nearing the end of his days, he called his sons to his bedside. With a weak voice, he said, “My dear sons, I have but one thing of worth – a magical special thing hidden deep within the forest. Whoever finds it shall get my gift.”
Eager to prove themselves and secure their family’s future, Hans and Karl set out into the forest together. They traveled for days, facing dangerous paths and scary beasts, but no sign of the special thing could be found.
As they journeyed deeper into the forest, they stumbled upon a clearing bathed in golden light, where a beautiful deer stood at the center. The deer spoke with a voice as soft as the wind, saying, “To find the special thing, you must each follow your heart’s want.”
Karl, driven by greed and want, declared, “I want wealth and power above all else!” and charged forward into the forest, leaving Hans behind.
Hans, however, listened to the wisdom of the deer and whispered softly, “I want to find a way to help others.”
And so, Hans ventured deeper into the forest, guided by the gentle whispers of the wind. Along the way, he found a group of villagers in need of help. With kindness in his heart, Hans offered them his help, and together, they worked to rebuild their homes and mend their broken spirits.
Meanwhile, Karl’s quest for wealth and power led him to a dark and empty cave, where he stumbled upon a chest overflowing with gold and jewels. But as he reached out to claim his prize, the ground began to shake, and the cave collapsed around him, burying him beneath a mountain of riches.
In the end, it was Hans who found the true special thing – the joy of helping others and the love of his family. And as he returned home to his father’s bedside, he knew that he had gotten the greatest gift of all – the gift of kindness.
With a smile on his lips and a heart full of thankfulness, Hans embraced his father one last time, knowing that their bond would live on forever in the memories they had shared and the love that bound them together.
And so, as the stars twinkled overhead and the forest whispered its secrets, Hans and his father bid farewell to the world, content in the knowledge that they had lived a life filled with kindness, courage, and love.
The end!
Follow-up questions:
- Why did Hans and Karl go into the forest?
- What did Karl want to find in the forest?
- How did Hans find the true special thing?