Tales from the Golden Oak: Bedtime Stories for Reading Aloud

By Violet Winwood

Tales from the Golden Oak is a collection of bedtime stories designed to be read aloud to soothe sleepy kids. Venture together with your child into the forest of Golden Oak, where a magical tree protects all the fantastic creatures within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Winwood
• Release date: Aug 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218241261

Book preview

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Prologue for Parents

The Storyteller

The Curious Curse

Guardians of the Golden Oak

The Light of the Unicorn

A Quest for the Fairy Court

Jasper and the Hidden Realm

The Merchant and the Cat

The Frog and the Mermaid

The Heart of the Dragon

About the Author

Prologue for Parents

As a public school teacher of many years, my  favorite thing to do with my sweet students was read to them aloud. Their delight and engagement was always a wonder to me, and they were thrilled when I created voices for all the different characters, and even threw in sound effects. It felt like together we were weaving the story, as our imaginations united to produce a magical place in all our minds. It’s my hope that you and your children will find time to snuggle up together before bed, as you read these stories together. I have tried to include opportunities for fun voices and characters in these stories, and I hope you and your children enjoy reading together.

These stories are inspired by a very special tree I visited during my travels. This 500 year old tree seemed to have very little written about its history, and so I have imagined here all the people and magical creatures this tree may have touched in its lifetime.

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Caption

The Storyteller

Once upon a time, in the village of Goldenleaf, near the Ancient Golden Oak, there lived a kind old man named Arthur. With a gentle smile and wise eyes, he had spent his life tending to his garden and raising a loving family. In his younger days, his magnificent garden of vegetables had grown enough to feed his family, and some of his neighbors. He felt a deep sense of purpose in tending his garden. But as the years passed, his body grew older and weaker, too tired to pull the weeds, and sow the new seeds. And after his children had grown up and his beloved wife had departed to the stars above, there was no one left to tend the garden for him. He searched for a way to regain the sense of purpose he found in feeding others.

Arthur was surrounded by the warmth of the village community. His neighbors and friends were happy to share food with him as he had done for them for so many years. He had everything he needed…almost. Arthur was comfortable and healthy on the outside, but he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that lingered within him. He yearned for a way to contribute to the lives of others. But what could an old man like him offer to a world that seemed to have moved on?

One morning, Arthur sat on his front porch with his mug of hot tea, and waved at the village children on their way to school, as he always did. But trailing behind the others was a small boy, Benjamin. Good Morning, Benjamin! How are you this fine morning? he called out to the boy. But Benjamin only glanced up, his face etched with worry, and shadows. He smiled meekly, but didn’t say a word before hurrying along. Hmmm, Arthur thought to himself, I wonder what’s bothering little Ben. 

Later that day, Arthur received a visitor. It was Benjamin’s mother, Alice, delivering a basket of eggs from her chickens. They lay far too many for us to eat at our house, she said, My boys are so tired of omelets. Please take some off our hands!

Arthur graciously accepted the eggs from Alice, Thank you, kindly, friend. I wonder if there is something I may do for you in return. How is your family?

Well, we are alright, except for Ben. He can’t seem to sleep lately. He says he’s been having nightmares. The teacher says he falls asleep at school. I just don’t know what to do!

That is troubling, said Arthur, thinking, Do you know what my mother used to do for me, when I was a boy? She would tell me cozy bedtime stories each night until I drifted off to sleep.

That’s a lovely idea, said Alice, I wish I had the time for that. But I can’t come up with a new story each night. I’ve so much work to do on our little farm, and three other children to worry about. By the end of the day, I’m completely spent.

"I understand! My children were a handful as well. But,