Читать онлайн "Princess Aria and the Magic Berry"

Princess Aria, a whirlwind of giggles and sunshine-yellow curls, loved nothing more than exploring the royal gardens. Queen Mother had warned her to stay away from the far north corner, whispering tales of thorny brambles and grumpy gnomes, but Aria, with her spirit as bright as a hummingbird's wings, couldn't resist a good mystery. Today, a butterfly with wings like stained glass tempted her further than ever. It danced and twirled, leading her past the rose arbour, deeper and deeper into the emerald green depths.

Finally, the butterfly settled on a bush hidden amongst fragrant roses and sunflowers taller than Aria herself. The bush shimmered, covered in ruby-red berries that sparkled like tiny jewels. Sunlight caught them, scattering rainbows across the grass, and one berry, nestled deep within the leaves, pulsed with a light of its own. It seemed to beckon Aria closer.

Cautiously, Aria reached out a finger and gently touched the glowing berry. It felt warm beneath her skin, radiating a scent of sunshine and strawberries. With a gulp of anticipation, she plucked the berry and placed it on her tongue. Pop! It burst with a sweet, tangy flavour, unlike anything she’d ever tasted before.

A tingling sensation spread through her, starting at her toes and fizzing all the way to the tip of her nose. She giggled, feeling a strange lightness in her tummy. Then, she looked down and gasped. Her feet weren't touching the ground! Slowly, gently, she began to rise, lifting into the air like a dandelion seed on a summer breeze.

The magic berry had given her the gift of flight! Aria squealed with delight, her laughter echoing through the garden. She swooped and soared amongst the fragrant blossoms, the wind whispering secrets in her ear. She twirled with the stained-glass butterfly, peeked into a robin's nest filled with speckled eggs, and waved to the surprised gardener, Mr. Bumble, who nearly dropped his watering can.

As she floated higher, giggling with glee, she spotted the shimmering rooftops of the castle and the vast, sparkling blue ocean beyond. But as she flew towards the sea, a strange wobbly feeling filled her tummy. The tingling sensation was fading, and she began to drift slowly downwards. Panic fluttered in her chest like a trapped bird. She was still high above the ground! With a determined wiggle of her toes, she steered herself towards a patch of soft grass, landing with a gentle bump just as the last of the magic faded.

Sitting breathlessly amidst the fragrant roses, Aria knew she would never forget the secret of the sparkling berry bush. But she also knew, with a shiver of excitement and a touch of apprehension, that she needed to learn more about its magic, and fast, before her next flight took her somewhere she couldn't get back from.