By sharing these stories, students discovered how fairy tales shape cultural identiry and family traditions.

Preview audio:

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The Mystery of the forest

It was a bright April day in Mysteryland. Spring had just arrived, and the school was buzzing with energy. Laughter and the sounds of games filled the air, but one group of friends stood out. This was the group led by Christos and Myrto. Their bond was truly remarkable; despite coming from different corners of the world, they shared a powerful and deep friendship.

The eight friends had planned a gathering at Christos’ house after school. His mother had agreed to pick them up once classes were over. Throughout the day, the children waited with growing anticipation. When the final bell eventually rang, they dashed into the courtyard, eager to start their adventure in the vast forest behind Christos' home.

However, something felt out of place. As time slipped away, Christos’ mother was nowhere to be seen. Feeling uneasy, Myrto asked the school principal to call her. The phone rang repeatedly without an answer. Just as Myrto was about to hang up, her father finally picked up. "Come home on your own, children. We can’t make it," he said breathlessly before abruptly cutting the line.

Eva Tipourti 21st Primary School of Chalkida

The group decided to walk home. Although they spent the journey joking and teasing one another, a strange atmosphere greeted them at the doorstep. The cars were gone. The house was deserted, and the front door was left slightly ajar. Unwashed dishes remained in the sink, and a trail of muddy footprints led toward the kitchen table.

Myrto reached for Christos’ arm, her voice trembling. "Christos, I’m frightened," she admitted, spotting a small scrap of paper on the table. The note contained only three chilling words:

"Search the forest..."

Eva Tipourti

21st Primary School of Chalkida

The unexpected encounter...

The silence in the kitchen was broken only by the rhythmic ticking of an old clock...

We are not alone!

Christos whispered, pointing to the small, oval, muddy footprints.

Suddenly, two cute, fluffy bunnies appeared from a bush.

Bix, a little rabbit with ash-grey fur, an emerald green bow tie and a pair of round glasses perched on his pink nose.

Lulu, a snow-white bunny with a crown of fresh flowers between her ears and a shoulder bag full of hand-painted eggs.

Thank goodness you got here in time! The Crystal Forest is losing its colors due to the shadows...

Christos, Myrto, Your parents are helping us. We need to reach them...

What should we do??

The two friends looked at each other with a knowing look and Myrto asked...

Bix replied...

We must follow the path of colored eggs, until we reach the golden egg...

So they set out, but...the mystery was only just beginning...

When they reached the clearing, the children saw Bruno the Bear standing on a round stone like a throne. His eyes shone kindly.

— “Welcome, little brave ones. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Myrto stepped forward.

— “Can you help us find Christos’ parents?”

Bruno nodded.

— “Yes. But first, you must pass the Friendship Test.”

Amir frowned.

— “What kind of test?”

Bruno smiled broadly.

— “Take one pebble each and make a perfect circle. No talking. Only signs.”

The children tried. At first the circle was crooked, but then they coordinated and made it perfect.

Bruno clapped his paws.

— “Bravo! You’re a real team!”

Dittrich Annamaria, Liceul Teoretic Carei, România

“Who are you? And what have you done to our parents?” Christos asked, his voice a little shaky.

The dark figure moved slowly.

“My name is Noctra,” it said. “I am the Guardian of the other seasons. But everyone forgot about me when spring stayed forever.”

The children looked confused.

“Forgot you?” Sofia asked.

Noctra nodded sadly.

“Yes. The forest only has spring now. No autumn, no winter. I didn’t want to hurt anyone… I just wanted the forest to be complete again.”

Myrto held Christos’ hand tightly.

Arianna, Carmelina, Eugenia, n.4

I.C.S "Don milani-linguiti" Giffoni Valle Piana, Italy

“And our parents?”

“They are safe,” Noctra said. “They are sleeping under the Heart Tree. I stopped them, but I did not hurt them.”

Bruno the Bear looked at the children.

“This is your next test,” he said gently. “You must understand, not fight.”

Amir scratched his head.

“Understand what?”

Christos thought for a moment.

“Maybe… Noctra is just sad,” he said.

Elena nodded.

“The forest needs all seasons, not just spring.”

The children stepped closer together and held hands

Arianna, Carmelina, Eugenia, n.4

I.C.S "Don milani-linguiti" Giffoni Valle Piana, Italy

again.

“We can help you,” Myrto said kindly.

Noctra looked at them in surprise.

“Help me?”

“Yes,” Luka said. “You are part of the forest too.”

The dark shadow became a little softer.

“Then… show me,” Noctra said quietly.

The children smiled at each other.

A new challenge was starting.

And this time, they would need kindness and teamwork.

To be continued…

Arianna, Carmelina, Eugenia, n.4

I.C.S "Don milani-linguiti" Giffoni Valle Piana, Italy

İrem Erdal - Aşık Veysel Özel Eğitim Uygulama Okulu - Number 5

The children looked at each other. This time, no one spoke at first.

Then Elena slowly stepped forward. She opened her hand. Inside, she was holding a small shiny stone she had picked up earlier. “I wanted to keep this… because it’s beautiful,” she said softly. “But maybe… I don’t need it.” She gently let it fall to the ground. The wind slowed down… just a little. Amir understood. He took off his backpack. “I’ve been carrying this the whole time… even when I didn’t need it,” he said. “Maybe I was just afraid to lose something.” He placed it beside the stone.NOne by one, the children began to let go of small things—objects, worries, even quiet fears. Myrto closed her eyes. “I’m scared of what we might find,” she whispered. “But… I don’t want fear to stop me anymore.” Christos squeezed her hand. “We’re together. That’s enough.” As soon as she said that, the storm stopped. The leaves gently fell to the ground, forming a perfect path ahead. In the distance, a soft light appeared. It pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat. Bruno stepped forward, his voice calm. “You have passed the Autumn Trial.”

İrem Erdal - Aşık Veysel Özel Eğitim Uygulama Okulu - Number 5

Noctra’s shadow appeared briefly between the trees, softer than before. “You are learning…” she said quietly.The children followed the glowing path. The forest grew quieter, deeper… and colder. A thin layer of frost began to cover the ground. Sofia shivered. “Why is it so cold now?” Bruno looked ahead.

“Because the next season is waiting for you.” The glowing path stopped in front of a frozen lake. The surface of the ice was smooth like glass… but something was moving underneath.

A faint knocking sound echoed from below. Knock… knock… knock… The children froze.

Luka whispered: “Is… someone trapped under the ice?” The light beneath the surface grew stronger.

And suddenly—

CRACK.

A thin line appeared across the ice.

The next test was about to begin…

Buğrahan ÇAKICI- Aşık Veysel Özel Eğitim Uygulama Okulu - Number 6

The crack on the ice spread slowly, like a fragile line of glass about to shatter. Knock… knock…

This time, the sound was louder. The children stepped closer, their breaths turning into white mist in the freezing air. Christos leaned forward carefully. “There’s definitely something under there…” Suddenly, a pale glow formed beneath the ice. A shape appeared—unclear at first, then slowly becoming more visible. It looked like… a child.

Myrto gasped. They look like us…” Bruno’s voice was calm but serious.“This is the Winter Trial. What you see is not just what is there… but what you carry inside.” The ice beneath each child began to shimmer. Reflections appeared—memories, fears, things left unsaid. Sofia stepped back. I don’t want to see this…” Amir shook his head. “Maybe we have to.” The knocking grew faster. Knock. Knock. Knock. A thin crack widened right in front of them. Then, a small glowing hand pressed against the ice from below. Help me…” The voice was faint, almost lost in the cold wind. Elena took a step forward. “We can’t ignore that!” But what if it’s a trick?” Luka said quickly. Christos hesitated. His eyes were fixed on the figure under the ice. What if… it’s both?” The wind suddenly howled through the trees. Snow began to fall, covering the ground in a thin white layer. Noctra’s shadow flickered between the branches,