The Kingdom of the Glass Mountains
Once upon a time, nestled in the heart of a remote valley, lay the Kingdom of the Glass Mountains, so named for its towering peaks which shimmered brilliantly in the sun due to a unique deposit of crystals.
In this kingdom lived two siblings, Maven, the elder brother, and Selene, the younger sister. They were orphans and lived on the outskirts of the kingdom, eking out a living through farming. They didn't have much, but they had each other, and this was enough.
One day while tending to the farm, Maven happened upon a frail, old man who seemed weary from his journey. Maven offered him food and water, basic courtesies associated with their kingdom's unique culture. The old man was grateful for Maven's kindness and bestowed upon him a mystic amulet, saying it possessed the power to provide its holder with whatever their heart most desired. He further said the power could only be used once, so they should carefully decide when and for what to use it. With that, the old man vanished.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Maven and Selene fell into poverty. Hunger became their frequent companion, and their land seemed increasingly unwilling to yield them any sustenance. Maven decided it was time to use the amulet, his heart yearned for abundant food and prosperity, but a strong gust of wind blew the amulet from his hands and carried it off into the distance. Their one chance at bettering their lives had seemingly been swept away along with the wind.
Meanwhile, Selene had dreams of her own. She saw the Kingdom of the Glass Mountains thriving, with crops in abundance and people living in peace. She craved for the prosperity of her kingdom, her people and not just her own well-being.
By some stroke of luck, the amulet had landed near Selene. Remembering the old man's caution, she held the amulet close and whispered her wish for her kingdom's prosperity. And so, the mystical elements of the universe conspired to fulfill her wish. The next day, their farm bore sprouts of wheat and vegetables, proving fertile and bountiful. Not just their farm, but every barren ground of the kingdom harvested healthy crops. Prosperity bloomed like never before and with it, happiness permeated the air of the Kingdom of the Glass Mountains.
In gratitude, the King invited Selene to his court and honored her for her selflessness. Selene's name was bellowed across the kingdom. She and her brother never had to worry about food or poverty again. The amulet, having fulfilled its purpose, lost its glimmering essence and turned into a simple piece of jewelry.
But Selene and Maven did not forget the lesson they've learned. True power lies in selflessness and in the deeds that are done for the sake of others, not for oneself alone. They continued their simple lives, grateful for every meal, and full of love for their kingdom. And so, the Kingdom of the Glass Mountains thrived, echoing with their tale far into the ages.