Lilli's Journey in Magical Light E-Book

Gudrun Leyendecker

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 178

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The fairy tale Lilli's Journey in Magical Light tells the story of the young princess Lilli and her adventurous journey through Florasia and other lands. The insatiable King Pontis wants to become the owner of the greatest wonders of the world and tasks Lilli with finding and acquiring them. Strange experiences are inevitable and the princess encounters strange characters. Will she also meet her great, magical love?

Leseprobe

Summary:

The fairy tale "Lilli's Journey in Magical Light" tells the story of the young princess Lilli and her adventurous journey through Florasia and other lands. The insatiable King Pontis wants to become the owner of the greatest wonders of the world and tasks Lilli with finding and acquiring them. Strange experiences are inevitable and the princess encounters strange characters. Will she also meet her great, magical love?

For my sister Brüni.

with love and gratitude

Gudrun Leyendecker has been a book author since 1995. She was born in Bonn in 1948.

See Wikipedia.

She has published around 98 books to date, including non-fiction, crime novels, romance novels and satire. Leyendecker also writes as a ghostwriter for well-known directors. She is a member of writers' organisations and an Italian cultural association. She also gained experience for her work during her decades as a life counsellor.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 1

Like all fairy tales, this one begins with the words: Once upon a time ...

The country of Florazia is very small and can therefore only be found on very accurate world maps. It is located in a unique place, where the great rainbow begins, and, unlike many other countries, has magnificent flora and fauna to offer.

King Pontis has ruled there for twenty-five years and is popular with his citizens because of his benevolent behaviour.

Nevertheless, the country's inhabitants watch his only "weakness" with suspicion: his great passion for collecting.

He collects neither stamps nor beer mats, neither fancy hats nor expensive sports cars, neither fan articles of any club nor old medals, but the small and big wonders of this earth.

Let's take a look inside the yellow parlour, where King Pontis is sitting in a comfortable old armchair, bent over a large book with handwritten notes.

There is a knock on the high, inlaid oak door, the regent raises his head and calls out a friendly "Come in!"

His invitation is followed by a young woman wearing a simple, long robe, the silky fabric shimmering silver and grey. A single, neatly plaited plait ensures that her brown hair doesn't fly around wildly.

"What do you want, Dad?" she enquires as she arrives in front of the antique desk.

His loving gaze lingers on her pretty face, a hint of pride mingling with his mysterious smile. "My dear child, you have never shied away from any task I have set you. Now the time has come again, Lilli: the court jester James has told me about a miracle he discovered on the border between florazia and geraniums. And now I would like to ask you to seek and acquire it for me."

"Of course, Dad! I'll be happy to do it for you. Is there any clue as to what it is this time?"

The anticipation makes his dark, shimmering eyes light up. "I'm looking for this one bird, it's something very special."

She nods. "That's what I thought. We have a lot of enchanting birds here in the castle garden, and that's because you preserve nature here the way it develops all by itself. If you send me there, this feathered friend must have something extraordinary."

"In most birds, the males look different from the females, but in this species they are identical, you can't tell them apart."

"That's rare," agrees Lilli. "And what does he look like?"

"I have no other information. The herb fairy Melinda was watching a couple as they raised their young. She'll be able to tell you more."

She looks at her father in disappointment. "Don't you know anything about his singing either?"

"Only that it should be very pretty, with short chirping sounds at the beginning, followed by a pearly warble. She writes to me that it sounds as if the bird is asking itself a question and giving itself an answer."

Lilli smiles. "That must be a funny bird. I hope it will feel at home here in your woods."

"Fortunately, there is the same vegetation there," says the king. "That sounds good," says the young woman. "When should the journey start?"

King Pontis raises his eyebrows and falters a little. "For now, this is just a short trip that you can set off on immediately. But after that, I have a longer journey planned for you, and unfortunately, it is fraught with obstacles. You will encounter some dangers, you will have to be very careful and you will need a lot of help. Above all, you will not be able to move around as usual, but will have to ask the wise Kira how best to get around."

Lilli looks at her father expectantly, but a little sceptically. "That sounds like a real adventure."

King Pontis nods. "It will be."

Chapter 2

You need to know that there are a lot of kangaroo species in Florazia. The smallest ones are the size of a flea and can hardly be distinguished from them, while the larger ones have lived closely with humans for ages and like to transport them in their pouches.

You can imagine this in a similar way to how people live together with horses and donkeys.

Almost all the inhabitants of Florazien have their own kangaroo, including Princess Lilli, of course, who has been travelling for years in the cosy pouch of her kangaroo called "Hopper".

The young princess is just letting her kangaroo graze in the wise woman's garden to make some preparations with Kira for the big journey.

The older woman with the bright white hair looks lovingly at the visitor. "Why did your father entrust you with this mission? He's still young, he could set off on his own."

"I think he wants me to gain important experience," surmises Lilli. "But it's probably also because of his rainbow."

Kira nods sympathetically. "Oh yes, he looks after it every day. Water and sun must constantly help him to stay alive. I think his passion for collecting makes him a lot of work."

"Right, and I also like travelling. So he can devote himself to his tasks and hobbies, and I get to know something about the world. I'm really looking forward to seeing this strange bird. In our local woods, I enjoy the titmice, the bullfinch pairs and especially the blackbirds' songs every day. But now let's get back to the really big journey I'm planning next. It's far too far for my dear kangaroo and will take me over various waterfalls, gorges and high mountains. It would all be too much for my favourite animal."

"The stars are aligned today, I'm going to meditate in front of my magical fountain in the garden. I'm sure I'll find some good advice for you then."

"I love your fountain," enthuses Lilli. "Especially when it dances to the music and bubbles and glows in all colours. I've sat next to you a few times, but I haven't had any inspirations yet."

Kira smiles. "You're still young. You haven't practised meditating yet, and you still lack a little experience, if I may say so without offending you."

"It's true! Why should the truth offend me? Can you give me a good word for my journey now?"

The wise woman ponders. "Well, that's not easy. For your long journey, I could just think of something suitable: "If you travel far enough, you will find yourself." But travelling to the end of our country, that distance is not enough."

"Now I'm supposed to look after this wonderful bird so that a pair of them can settle here with us," Lilli reminds us.

"Well, I think even on the shortest journey you need some kind of protection. Maybe you're afraid of the dark, maybe you feel like a stranger somewhere, maybe everything is just new and unfamiliar and scares you," Kira ponders.

"All of that is possible," the young woman agrees, "and I'm sure you know a good phrase to remind yourself of in such cases."

A smile appears on the wise woman's face. "There's a saying that always fits, no matter where you're going, and whether your journey is short or long. This thought is used in a church hymn, and this sentence is also helpful for many people. It says: "You can't fall any lower than in God's hand." If you remember that, you know that you are never alone."

"That's certainly a helpful thought in many situations," agrees Lilli. "Thank you very much! And now I have to go, because my dear friend the kangaroo still has a few kilometres to hop."

"As a small child, I didn't tolerate it well at all," remembers Kira. "Everything in my body and soul is very sensitive. But when the bags were later made comfortable, things got better. I wish you a safe journey, Lilli! We'll see you again soon!"

Chapter 3

Lilli has reached the country's border without incident and visited her godmother, the herb fairy Melinda, in her little old cottage on the edge of the forest. The two have not seen each other for a while, so the welcome is stormy, and of course there is a lot to report from everyday life.

Over a hearty fruit meal, they catch up on the latest news and enjoy being together.

A little later, Melinda leads her godchild to the bushes in the neighbouring mixed forest. The young woman's eyes wander in amazement over the fresh green leaves of the nearby birch trees and the lush green hazel branches.

"Now you'll see this miracle bird," promises the herb fairy. "He's quite tame, I think he already knows me." She points her finger at a small, cute bird wearing a brown-red plumage with an orange-red neck and a breast in the same bright colour.

"But it's pretty!" says Lilli. "Is it a male or a female?"

Melinda smiles. "In these birds, they've been called robins, the pair looks exactly the same. They are both so beautifully coloured, which is a rarity in the bird world."

The herb fairy digs up the ground a little and then rejoins Lilli in the shade. A short time later, the bird flies down to the ground and searches for worms.

"That's what these little animals particularly like," explains Melinda. "They eat worms and snails, spiders and other insects, and they sing lilting songs. They are very versatile and know a lot of tunes."

"My father thinks he's a miracle bird. He is already something very special, but is there anything else marvellous about him?"

"Yes, this bird only develops its red colouring as it grows up, but young birds can already imitate the voices of others. These feathered friends like to bathe, and those that migrate from them to the south prefer to fly at night."

Lilli smiles. "So they're night owls. Do you know any more about them?"

"Yes, there are a whole host of legends in which the robin plays a role. Among other things, it is also known as the companion of Christ and stood by him as a comforter. That is why it is also said to bring comfort and succour to people. This little animal is also known as the Christmas bird."

"I've never heard of that," the young woman confesses. "Do you know any more about it?"

"Legend has it that the robin was even present at the birth of Jesus. At night, when it was cold and the fire threatened to go out, it flapped its wings eagerly and fuelled the fire. It is said to have burnt itself a little in the process. It is said that it has had a red breast ever since. So this bird is said to be a symbol of charity."

'That's nice,' says Lilli. "My father will like that. He loves the songs of all the birds in his kingdom, and if he can hear more melodies now, he'll be very happy."

In the meantime, a second bird flies over and also looks for small worms from the freshly dug up earth.

The young woman is delighted. "How daintily they hop around! But what are you going to do now? How are you going to catch a couple for my father?"

The godmother smiles. "It's not captured in the true sense of the word. We set up a fulliere, a large one, with the doors open. Then we wait a while and see which pair flies in and feels comfortable there to build a nest."

"And how am I supposed to get this big Volliere home?"

"Your bouncer won't be able to carry her. I'll send her home with a carriage, but I hope you'll still stay with me today. Or do you have to go back already?"

"My father had already prepared the next big trip for me, but of course I'm staying with you today. And Dad will certainly get in touch with you, because he's really pleased that you've made him aware of another new miracle."

Melinda observes the lively little birds. "Every living creature is actually a miracle."

"Yes, that's true. And yet this species of bird is very unusual. A few years ago, Kira gave him the little wren and the thornbird, which he learns about every day. Now he's a real ornithologist and his forest is becoming more and more colourful."

"I'm so happy for him." The herb fairy puts her arm around Lilli's shoulders. "And now let's leave the birds alone for a while and sit down on my terrace, which smells of lilacs in bloom, and have a chat."

Chapter 4

King Pontis hugs his daughter warmly. "I would like to thank you once again, Lilli! The robins have arrived safely and already feel at home in my forest. It looks like the female is already starting to build her nest and has chosen a small tree hollow."

The young woman is delighted. "That's what Melinda wanted too. The visit with her was very nice and she was able to tell me a lot about her herbs. By the way, she wants to see if she can find some miracle herbs for you too."

He smiles. "Oh, that takes time. You can imagine that I'm now waiting with anticipation for everything you're going to bring me back from your long journey. Have you made a list of the places you need to stop off at?"

She smiles at him. "But yes, Dad! You don't have to worry. I have the itinerary in my head and the individual stops are written down."

He strokes her hair. "James, our court jester has been everywhere and has already announced you in some places. You're sure to meet him now and again."

"That's nice. When you're away from home, it's sometimes nice to see a familiar face. It's sweet of you to give him so much holiday."

The king smiles. "It wasn't good nature on my part, it's in my own interests. This way I can complete my collection and know that he can come to your side in an emergency."

"Then I'll go to sleep now," Lilli declares solemnly, "Because that's the only way I can start my journey."

"I'll say goodbye to you then, my darling! I always find it amazing what heavenly ideas find their way into Kira's head. What was that again about the magical light?"

"I didn't understand that at first either. It's the tail of the shooting stars, which contains all of people's wishes. Interwoven in it is the melody of their hearts. During the day, this path is not visible because the light is too bright, but at night I will travel on it."

"This magical light is truly amazing and very beneficial for our purposes. This way you can get anywhere your hopper wouldn't have dared to go. Travelling that far is too strenuous for him. However, he will miss you as much as I miss you."

"You can comfort each other," suggests Lilli. She says goodbye to her father with a big hug.

Chapter 5

When Lilli wakes up the next morning, she finds herself on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and as expected, a little boy is there to pick her up.

"I'm Juan," he says kindly and offers her his hand. "Have you had a long journey?"

"I completely slept through it and can't remember it," replies the young woman. "And I'm Lilli."

"I'll take you to my sister, who lives in a small hut on the edge of town," he continues.

"Your sister has heard about my father's passion for collecting and has written to him that she would like to give him a pearl that has developed from her tears of joy. Is that right?"

He nods eagerly. "Yes, that's really what happened, and I'm sure she'll tell you her story."

"I heard it was about an eye operation. I really hope she's feeling better now."

Juan smiles. "Yes, and she also prayed a lot. Maria believes in it and it helped her. Are you a real princess?"

"My father is king and I'm his daughter. That automatically makes you a princess. But if you're born a princess, you're also obliged to behave like a princess."

"Then my sister should be a princess too," says the boy. "Because when she gets something, she gives a lot of it away to people who have less or nothing at all. So isn't she a princess too?"

Lilli thinks about it. "Maybe she's even better than a princess. She's probably a human angel."

Behind a bend in the path, they reach a green oasis of trees and bushes, with the roof of a hut peeking out at the top.

A young woman is waiting by the garden gate, her long black hair gleaming in the sun.

She waves happily, "Lilli! How nice of you to come!"

She kisses the stranger on both cheeks in greeting. "Now come in and strengthen yourself!" She leads the princess to a tiny terrace in front of the small hut, around which hundreds of red flowers are entwined, their blossoms closed.

They sit down on the bench under the sun canopy, and while Maria fills the plates with small cakes and the glasses with fresh juice, Lilli marvels at the green oasis before her eyes.

"You must have green fingers," says the princess. "Everything thrives so wonderfully here under the hot sun."

"I confess that I use a lot of water, more for the plants than for myself. But this splendour has always given me a lot of courage. The plants have always told me that I have to persevere."

"Then you've had a hard time," Lilli remembers.

"You could say that. It was very difficult to look after my brother and me on my own. So I often worked day and night. As you can imagine, it wasn't good for my eyes. I was supposed to have an eye operation, but I was afraid of it and the health insurance didn't want to cover all the costs. So at first I just waited and prayed. Then some friends collected money for me and I decided to have the operation, which went well. At first I walked around blindfolded and my friends helped me. My little brother sowed these flowers for me. They also grew very well, and when I removed the blindfold one night and the crescent moon shone gently on my terrace, it bloomed all around me in a magical, bright red splendour."

"These flowers bloom at night?"

Maria nods. "Yes, and that's what's special about these flowers, which is why they're called "mirabilis". They open their flowers when the sun sets and close them when the sun rises. That's how they got their name 'mirabilis'."

"You are magical," says the princess. "But you can also be very proud of your brother. He's a very lovely boy and he spoke very fondly of you."

Maria nods eagerly. "Oh yes, I'm very happy that he's so kind and has helped me so much. And I cried out of sheer emotion that special night."

"Oh yes, I understand that. I am also very touched by everything you have experienced and, of course, by the wonderful ending to this story. I'm sure your prayers have also helped."

"I firmly believe that too. And I also see the pearl as a great gift. What does your father do with all his collectibles? Does he have a museum or does he just dust off his inventory?"

Lilli's eyes grow wide. "Oh no! He doesn't collect the big and small miracles for himself, but for all people, especially for those who no longer believe in miracles."

"And what does he do with it now?" Maria asks.