Once Upon a Time: Short Stories for Children

By Coco Legend

This delightful collection of 56 very short stories by Coco Legend is perfect for bedtime reading, sending your child to sleep with inspiring, happy thoughts! With separate sections for 'Magical Stories', 'Stories Set in a Zoo' and, for the final part of the year, 'Christmas Stories.'

 

Happy reading, happy dreams! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richards Education
• Release date: Dec 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223353867

Book preview

PART ONE: MAGICAL STORIES FOR CHILDREN

THE UNICORN

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a herd of unicorns. These unicorns were special because they had the power to spread joy and happiness wherever they went.

One day, a little girl named Lily was wandering in the forest when she stumbled upon the herd of unicorns. At first, she was afraid, but then she noticed that the unicorns were friendly and had gentle eyes that sparkled like diamonds.

Lily asked the unicorns if she could ride one, and they gladly obliged. The unicorns took Lily on a magical journey through the forest, past waterfalls and over rolling hills. Everywhere they went, flowers bloomed, birds sang, and the world seemed to come alive.

As they travelled, Lily noticed that one of the unicorns was limping. She asked the others what was wrong, and they explained that the injured unicorn had been caught in a trap set by hunters. Lily knew she had to help.

She ran back to her village and gathered a group of friends. Together, they worked to free the trapped unicorn, nursing it back to health with love and care.

As a thank you, the herd of unicorns granted Lily and her friends the power to spread joy and happiness, just like they did. From that day on, Lily and her friends worked tirelessly to bring joy to the people in their village, spreading kindness and love wherever they went.

And the unicorns continued to roam the forest, spreading their magic and bringing happiness to all they met.

THE MAGICAL BIKE

In the quiet town of Springville, there lived a young boy named Jack. Jack loved to explore the world around him and was always looking for new adventures. One day, while walking home from school, Jack

stumbled upon a mysterious old bike shop tucked away in a corner of town. It was a place he had never noticed before, and he was intrigued.

As Jack walked inside the shop, he saw rows and rows of bikes of all shapes and sizes. But one bike caught his eye, a dusty old bicycle with a sign that read Magical Bike. It looked different from any bike he had ever seen before, with shiny gold paint, sparkling gems on the handlebars, and a horn attached to the front of the bike.

The shopkeeper, an old man with a long white beard, saw Jack admiring the bike and smiled. That bike is very special, he said. It has been waiting for a brave and adventurous child like you to ride it.

Jack was fascinated by the bike and asked the old man how it was magical. The shopkeeper explained that the bike had the power to take him on incredible adventures, to places he had never seen before. All he had to do was believe in the bike's magic, and it would take him anywhere he wanted to go.

Without hesitation, Jack climbed onto the bike and took off down the street. As he pedalled, he felt a strange tingling sensation in his toes, and suddenly the bike lifted off the ground, soaring into the air. Jack was amazed as he soared above the treetops, watching the world pass beneath him.

As the bike soared higher and higher, Jack saw that he was flying towards a distant mountain range. When he landed, he found himself in a beautiful meadow with lush green grass and sparkling streams. He was amazed by the sight and was eager to explore more.

As he rode through the meadow, Jack saw a group of animals gathered around a nearby tree. Curious, he approached and found that the animals were having a party. They invited Jack to join them, and they danced and laughed together for hours.

The sun began to set, and Jack knew he had to head back home. As he climbed onto the bike to leave, he felt a sense of sadness. He didn't want to leave this magical world behind.

Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head. You don't have to leave, the voice said. The bike can take you anywhere you want to go.

With renewed excitement, Jack rode the magical bike to many other wondrous places, from a deserted island to the depths of the ocean. Each time he rode, he discovered new adventures and made new friends.

Eventually, Jack knew it was time to return the magical bike to the old shopkeeper. As he handed over the bike, he felt grateful for all the amazing experiences he had been able to enjoy.

But as he left the shop, Jack knew that the magic of the bike would always stay with him, and he could explore the world around him with wonder and excitement, wherever his imagination would take him.

THE LOST CAT

In the heart of a bustling city, there lived a fluffy white cat named Snowy. Snowy loved to explore the city streets, often wandering far from home. One day, while on her daily adventures, Snowy became lost.

As she roamed the streets, Snowy felt more and more scared and alone. She didn't know how to find her way back home, and the city was so big and confusing. She searched and searched for familiar landmarks, but everything looked the same.

As night began to fall, Snowy curled up in a cosy alleyway, feeling sad and alone. She missed her warm bed and the comfort of her family. But she knew she had to keep searching if she wanted to find her way home.

The next morning, Snowy began to explore the city again, hoping to find a clue that would lead her home. She meowed loudly, hoping someone would hear her and come to her rescue. But no one seemed to notice the lost cat wandering the streets.

Days turned into weeks, and Snowy grew tired and hungry. She was exhausted from walking and meowing, and she felt like giving up. But she knew she couldn't give up; she had to keep trying to find her way home.

One day, while wandering through a park, Snowy spotted a group of children playing. She meowed loudly, hoping they would hear her. And they did! One of the children, a kind girl named Emily, noticed Snowy meowing and approached her.

Emily was kind-hearted and gentle, and Snowy could sense her compassion. She rubbed up against Emily's leg, and Emily immediately knew that Snowy was lost. Emily scooped Snowy up into her arms and promised to help her find her way home.

Emily took Snowy to her home and gave her some food and water. Snowy was grateful for the kind girl's help and snuggled up in a cosy bed for a much-needed rest.

The next day, Emily and Snowy began their search for Snowy's home. They asked everyone they met if they had seen the lost cat or recognized her from around the neighbourhood. But no one seemed to know where Snowy belonged.

Just as they were about to give up, Emily noticed a flyer on a nearby pole. It was a flyer with Snowy's picture on it! Snowy's family had been looking for her, and they had put up flyers all around the neighbourhood. Emily knew they had to hurry and bring Snowy back home.

With Emily's help, Snowy was reunited with her family, who were overjoyed to have her back. They hugged her tightly and promised never to let her wander too far from home again.

From that day on, Snowy stayed close to home, but she never forgot the kindness and compassion of Emily, the girl who had helped her find her way back home. And whenever Snowy saw a lost animal, she remembered how it felt to be lost and alone and made it her mission to help others find their way home, just like Emily had helped her.

THE FAIRGROUND

The sun had just risen above the horizon, and the fairground was buzzing with excitement. People were starting to arrive, eager to try out the rides and games, and explore the colourful stalls.

In the heart of the fairground was a small wooden booth. A sign hanging above it read The Great Magician: Come and witness the greatest magic show on earth! Inside the booth, a young boy named Max was practising his magic tricks.

Max had always been fascinated by magic, ever since he was a little boy. He had spent hours practising his tricks, and had dreamed of