Angela and the Winter King🔊

In a remote northern town of Canada lived a little girl named Angela - an inherently curious, adventurous, lively girl who cherished her friendship with her furry companion, a wolf named Frost. She lived with her mother, Nancy, a wise woman with a profound understanding of native botanical species. Having lost her husband to a hunting expedition, Nancy, having no choice, single-handedly raised Angela, whom she fondly called 'her courage.'

One cold winter, the menacing winds howled through the night, sending shivers down the spines of the town folk. During these treacherous times, an old myth passed down generations stirred the air, sparking fears that 'the Winter King', a gigantic beast who could summon infinite blizzards, had awakened.

Seeing the fear amongst the village people, Angela, in her valiant spirit, decided to confront the Winter King. Armed with naught but an old dagger and a hunter’s hood, she embarked on her perilous journey with Frost by her side.

Their voyage took them through dense forests where silver trees shivered under the winter’s touch and snowflakes danced in the frigid air. Days turned into nights, and soon they stood before the 'Ice Cavern', home to the Winter King.

Frost's apprehension was palpable as the duo ventured deeper into the cavern. A roar echoed, freezing their hearts for a brief moment. But Angela, remembering her tales and lullabies about bravery and the power of friendship, held her ground.

There in the center of the cavern, upon a throne of ice, sat the Winter King. Angela, gathering all her courage, stood before him and implored, 'Stop the eternal winter, or share it only the fair amount. Our homes freeze, fields die, end this torment!'

The King, amused by the girl's audacity, proposed a game. 'Solve my riddle, and I shall tame winter. Fail, and snow shall bury your tiny hamlet forever.'

With no choice at hand, Angela agreed. Promptly, the King announced, 'What freezes when it warms, and warms when it freezes?'

Angela, certain of her doom, suddenly remembered her mother talking about certain plants surviving the winter due to a process involving freezing and thawing. Could the answer be ‘life’?

Despite her inhibitions, Angela shared her answer. Instantly, the atmosphere of the cavern underwent a magical transformation; the incessant icy gusts ceased, and the constant trembling under the Winter king's formidable presence calmed. The Winter King had a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

'Brave girl,' he said, 'Seldom have I met someone who could best me. It's life indeed. The life that freezes, halts during wintry tirades, rejuvenating itself when spring melts the ice. You've reminded me of the cyclical order of life. I decree the winter to recede.'

A gentle snowfall covered Angela as she and Frost ran back home. The once terrorized town was now ringing with joyous cheers. They celebrated Angela's bravery, her wisdom, and above all, her unfathomable love for her village. Nancy embraced Angela, shedding tears of pride and relief. To them, the advent of spring was a sign of new beginnings, a reaffirmation of life’s resilience. From that day forth, not a winter passed that didn’t fill the village folk with a sense of joy and anticipation for the coming warmth.