The Golden Goose bedtime story: a magical tale to read

Chapter 1: The Discovery

Simon, the youngest of three brothers, was always considered the least clever and was often overlooked. His brothers worked in the town’s market, boasting of their cunning business skills, while Simon spent his days in the forest, chopping wood to support their humble home.

One crisp morning, as Simon was cutting down an old oak, his axe struck something hard. Curious, he dug around the roots and uncovered a peculiar goose with feathers shimmering like molten gold. Astonished by his find, Simon gently picked up the goose, marveling at its beauty and the extraordinary weight of its golden feathers.

“Surely, this goose will bring me fortune,” he thought, envisioning the comforts it could bring his family. But knowing the envy it might stir in others, especially his cunning brothers, Simon decided to keep his discovery a secret.

As night fell, Simon sneaked the golden goose back to his small attic room, plotting to sell just one feather at a time to avoid drawing too much attention.

Chapter 2: The Feather Fiasco

The next day, Simon plucked a single golden feather and headed to the market. He approached a jeweler, whose eyes widened at the sight of the gold. The jeweler, greedy and sly, offered Simon a small sum, hoping to deceive him. But Simon, intuitively knowing the feather’s worth, declined and sought a second opinion.

Word of the feather spread quickly, and soon, a crowd gathered, each person offering Simon higher and higher sums. Overwhelmed and anxious to escape the growing attention, Simon sold the feather to a merchant for a handsome price and hurried home.

However, his unusual wealth sparked curiosity and envy among the villagers, including his own brothers. Rumors swirled, and by evening, everyone in the village was talking about Simon’s sudden fortune.

Chapter 3: The Parade of Greed

The following morning, Simon awoke to find his brothers rummaging through his room, searching for the source of his newfound wealth. To protect his secret, Simon decided to leave the village for a while, taking the golden goose with him under his arm.

As he walked through the village, trying to be inconspicuous, the golden goose suddenly squawked, startling a nosy tavern keeper who reached out and touched it. To her astonishment, she found herself stuck to the goose, unable to let go. A curious tailor then touched the woman to pull her away, only to find himself stuck as well.

Before long, a comical procession had formed behind Simon, with villagers attaching one by one, unable to resist touching the golden spectacle. The absurdity of the situation drew laughter and ridicule, but Simon continued, hoping to find solace outside the village.

Chapter 4: Lessons at the Fair

Simon’s peculiar parade unwittingly led him to a nearby fair, where the sight of a man with a trail of people stuck to a golden goose caused an uproar of amusement. The king, present at the fair, saw the spectacle and, intrigued by the chaos, summoned Simon to explain.

Simon told the king about the golden goose and how it had brought him nothing but trouble since its discovery. Moved by Simon’s honesty and amused by the day’s events, the king decided to help. He ordered everyone to be carefully detached from the goose, decreeing that Simon’s integrity deserved a reward far greater than gold.

Chapter 5: The True Treasure

Grateful for the king’s kindness, Simon asked for nothing more than a small piece of land where he could live peacefully. The king granted him a fertile acre by the forest, where Simon built a modest home.

Over time, Simon’s wisdom and kindness drew others to him. He shared his wealth with those in need and taught his neighbors the value of contentment. The golden goose, no longer a secret or a burden, roamed freely on his land, a reminder of the bizarre journey that had brought Simon true happiness.

The End

In this expanded tale of “The Golden Goose,” Simon’s adventures teach us about the pitfalls of greed and the richness of a generous heart. With humor and warmth, this bedtime story not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons to children about the importance of values over valuables.