86 Results with the "Fable" genre


    • Chapter

      The Leap-Frog

      The Leap-Frog Cover
      by LovelyMay The Leap-Frog begins not with fanfare, but with the quiet presence of a contender who surprises everyone by saying very little. A challenge is announced by a king who offers his daughter’s hand to whichever creature can leap the highest. Drawn to this opportunity are three distinct participants: the nimble Flea, the elegant Grasshopper, and the silent, unnoticed Leap-frog. Each boasts in turn, the Flea of his ancestry and how he has danced in royal boudoirs, hopping lightly but with flair. The…
      Fable • Fantasy
    • Chapter 15: The Old Hostler Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 15: The Old Hostler begins with a long journey as Black Beauty, along with his master, mistress, and driver James, travels forty-six miles to visit distant friends. On the first day, they cover over thirty miles, navigating demanding hills and rough terrain. James manages the route with great care, always considering the horses’ stamina. He adjusts the pace, allows rest on the inclines, and makes sure no unnecessary strain is placed on Black Beauty or his fellow horse, Ginger. Their journey is…
    • Chapter 48: Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 48: Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie begins with Black Beauty standing tired and unnoticed at a bustling horse fair, surrounded by others who, like him, have seen better days. His coat is dull, his legs ache, and his spirit has dimmed after a long stretch of hard labor and neglect. Buyers pass him by without a second look, some poking him indifferently, others dismissing him for his age and condition. Yet among the crowd, one man and a boy pause. Farmer Thoroughgood, a weathered yet kind…
    • Chapter

      The Red Shoes

      The Red Shoes Cover
      by LovelyMay The Red Shoes introduces a young girl named Karen, whose life changes drastically after receiving a pair of handmade red shoes during her mother’s funeral. Despite the sadness of her loss, the vivid shoes became a symbol of comfort and wonder in her otherwise bleak world. Shortly after, she is adopted by a wealthy, elderly woman who notices Karen’s humble upbringing and immediately sets out to reform her appearance and manners. Though Karen is taught refinement and proper conduct, her fascination with…
      Fable • Fantasy
    • Chapter 27: Ruined and Going Downhill Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 27: Ruined and Going Downhill unfolds a bittersweet transition in Black Beauty’s life, capturing the aftermath of injury and the fading of former glory. After the wounds on his knees began to heal, Beauty was sent to rest in a meadow—lush and quiet, but lonely. Days passed in solitude, the emptiness of the field reminding him of the constant companionship he once knew. Relief arrived when Ginger, also recovering from an accident, was brought to the same pasture. Her gait was slower, and her…
    • Chapter III — The Watchman’s Adventure Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III begins with a quiet moment in the night, as a watchman performing his routine rounds notices a pair of galoshes left carelessly by a door. Believing they must belong to the officer across the hall, he picks them up with casual interest. Tempted by their warmth and soft lining, he slips them on, unaware that these are no ordinary shoes. No sooner does he begin to muse about the pleasant life of the lieutenant than a strange transformation begins. Suddenly, he finds himself no longer clad in his…
      Fable • Fantasy
    • Chapter 5: A Fair Start Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 5: A Fair Start begins with Black Beauty settling into his new home under the care of John Manly, a dedicated coachman who resides near the stables with his family. On the morning following Beauty’s arrival, John meticulously grooms him, ensuring every inch of his coat is polished, which earns the approval of Squire Gordon. To evaluate Beauty’s temperament and ability, the Squire instructs John to take him for a ride across the estate. With deliberate care, John fits Beauty with tack that…
    • Chapter 38: Dolly and a Real Gentleman Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 38: Dolly and a Real Gentleman begins in the heart of winter, when icy roads and biting winds make every journey more difficult. Horses strain to keep their footing as heavy carts slide over slick cobblestones, and drivers spend long hours in the cold with little shelter or warmth. Many go without food for stretches, hoping a fare will appear before the day ends. Jerry, though facing the same weather and work, is buffered by the steady support of his family. Polly prepares warm meals, and young…
    • Chapter

      The Elderbush

      The Elderbush Cover
      by LovelyMay The Elderbush blooms into a tale of memory and imagination as a young boy, chilled and damp, is tucked into bed with a steaming cup of elderflower tea. His mother, ever thoughtful, brings warmth not just through the tea but by inviting a neighbor—an old man fond of spinning stories—to sit with them. Their conversation about fairy tales becomes the seed for something enchanting. The old man insists that stories cannot be forced; they arrive naturally, demanding to be shared. As the steam rises from the…
      Fable • Fantasy
    • Chapter 16: The Fire Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 16: The Fire unfolds during what begins as an ordinary evening at the stable, when a traveler's horse is brought in for the night. As the other horses settle into their stalls, an unnoticed danger begins to brew. A young man named Towler enters the loft carelessly with a lit pipe—a seemingly harmless act that sets off a chain of consequences. Without realizing it, he likely drops ash or a coal, which smolders quietly until the loft bursts into flame. The fire starts subtly but soon consumes the…
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