These are my submissions for the “Folktale 2022” prompts on Instagram. And even though the paintings are still flawed, I enjoyed making them a lot. Glad that the little duckie had an amazing adventure, and hope that there is more to come.
Once there was a liltle duck who dreamed of having great adventures. His friends would always laugh, calling him a hopeless FOOL. But the little duck was never disheartened. “It is my dream, and I will hold onto it.” - he told himself again and again.
Until one day, the liltle duck was wandering the woods when he met an old wise TREE. “I’m aware that you are looking for adventures. Go to the stone castle at the far end of the forest, there’s a star imprisoned there, waiting to be freed by a brave soul like you.” - the tree said.
After a long and exhausting journey, the little duck finally reached the stone castle where the STAR was being held at the highest chamber. “Be strong, my little heart. Be strong, my little feet.”
- he mumbled to himself before stepping towards the castle.
- he mumbled to himself before stepping towards the castle.
The liltle duck got inside the castle and found the star chained in a dark chamber. The owner of the castle was keeping her there to extract her magic for his evil deeds. “It’s time to go REBEL!!” - the liltle duck shouted before using a rock to break the chain, setting the star free.
They got out of the castle as fast as possible. The star used her magic and manifested a COSTUME - a dark cloak sparkling with the moonlight that could help them blend into their surroundings. The duo donned the cloak and took off into the night.
Together, they ran all night. It was not until the dawn broke and the castle was far behind that they allowed themselves to feel relieved. The pair reached a cliff, little duck looked at the sky above them and knew that it was time to say farewell.
The star glowed brighter than ever before soaring toward the sky. Leaving a trail of sparkles behind, she turned around one last time and told the little duck:
- Thank you so much for having saving from that dreadful place. Before I’m gone, I have this gift for you. It is a magical POTION that can grant any of your wishes. Use it and achieve your dreams, little brave duck.
The star glowed brighter than ever before soaring toward the sky. Leaving a trail of sparkles behind, she turned around one last time and told the little duck:
- Thank you so much for having saving from that dreadful place. Before I’m gone, I have this gift for you. It is a magical POTION that can grant any of your wishes. Use it and achieve your dreams, little brave duck.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere a small bottle of sparkling liquid appeared. The liltle duck held out his wings to take it. When he looked up to say thanks, the star had been gone.
At last, the little duck, a liltle bit lonely and a liltle bit exhausted, sat on a rock near the river by himself. He thought about what he had been through, from the conversation with the old tree, the long journey to the castle to the run that lasted all night with the star on his back. He smiled to himself, realizing that he had never been more content than he was in that exact moment. He had had his adventure, and now he knew in his heart that his dream of becoming an adventurer was not at all ridiculous.
What about the bottle of magic that the star gave him? It could just wait, maybe someday it would become of help for someone in need.
What about the bottle of magic that the star gave him? It could just wait, maybe someday it would become of help for someone in need.
The little duck looked at the river in front of him, waves after waves glimmering under the setting sun, like they were promising him of great adventures ahead.
THE END.
