The Magic Mirror
English Fairy Tale
For More Great Stories Check Out Our Exclusive Digital Download!
Enhance your storytelling experience with our printable digital bundle—featuring the full story, a Storyteller’s Guide, and fun activity sheets for kids to enjoy while they listen!
Tales Worth Telling Your Kids - Story & Activity Bundle
Retold The Legendary Connection
TLC#00029
Long ago, in a distant land, a wise and just king ruled over a prosperous kingdom. As he grew older, he pondered the future of his children, a son and a daughter. "Why should my daughter not have a kingdom of her own?" he mused. And so, he summoned the chief map-maker and commanded him to divide the land into two equal parts.
The map-maker worked diligently, drawing a perfect line so that not a hair’s breadth was more on one side than the other. When the map was complete, the king decreed that upon his death, his son would rule the eastern half, which he named Eastroyal, while his daughter would govern the western half, called Westroyal. Eventually the king did pass away and from that day forth, kings ruled in Eastroyal and queens ruled in Westroyal.
But over the years, something strange happened. In Eastroyal, the people grew restless and discontented, complaining about their king and falling into poverty. Meanwhile, in Westroyal, the people flourished, always praising their queen and living in peace. No one could understand why such a great difference existed between the two lands.
Things in Eastroyal worsened until the people, weary of their king, deposed him and placed his young son on the throne. Hoping for a better future, they murmured, "Perhaps we shall be satisfied now."
The young king’s mother, however, was worried. She watched her son closely and saw signs of arrogance in his treatment of the lords. "How can I teach my son to rule wisely and be loved by his people?" she wondered.
"I know! I know!" came a sudden voice. Startled, the young king’s mother turned to see a ragged old woman hobbling past with the aid of a stick. "What do you know?" she asked kindly.
The woman peered up at her and whispered, "Go to Westroyal." Then, without another word, she shuffled away.
Recognizing the wisdom in the old woman’s words, the young king’s mother prepared for a visit to Westroyal. She was warmly welcomed by the reigning queen of Westroyal, who treated her as a beloved guest. Yet, despite watching carefully and listening intently, the young king’s mother could not discover what made the queens of Westroyal so beloved. So she decided to ask the Westroyal queen directly.
The Eastroyal king’s mother clasped her hands together. "Tell me your secret! How do you win the love of your people and keep it through the years? I must teach my son before he, too, loses his throne."
The Westroyal queen smiled. "Come, I will show you." She led the Eastroyal king’s mother into her private chamber, where a magnificent mirror was set into the wall. "Look within," she said.
The Eastroyal king’s mother gazed into the mirror. At first, she saw her own reflection, along with the Westroyal queen’s reflection. But then the images faded, replaced by scenes of the Westroyal kingdom: a dark mine where workers toiled in the earth, a golden wheat field where farmers wiped the sweat from their brows, a cottage where a mother rocked her baby to sleep, a grand estate where nobles feasted, and a homeless child seeking shelter under a bridge. Scene after scene unfolded, revealing the daily lives, struggles, and joys of the people of Westroyal.
"This mirror shows me the truth of my land," the queen explained. "It was a gift from the fairies when the first queen took the throne. Every queen since has looked into it and seen her people's hardships and triumphs. I cannot turn away from these images. I must act to help my people where I can."
The Eastroyal king’s mother’s eyes filled with tears. "Now I understand! In Eastroyal, formally my husband and now my son sees only himself in his mirror while you see the lives of your people and govern with wisdom and kindness. How can I obtain such a mirror for him?"
"That, I do not know," said the queen sadly.
The king of Eastroyal’s mother returned home deep in thought. As she walked in the garden, she heard the familiar voice again. "I know! I know!" Looking over the wall, she saw the same old woman. "You who guided me before, help me again! How can I get a magic mirror for my son?"
The old woman met her eyes and said, "Go to the Deeps." Then she hobbled away. The Eastroyal king’s mother shivered. The Deeps was a dreadful place. It was a dark, bottomless pool said to be formed from the country’s tears. Strange spirits were said to dwell there, and none who sought them ever returned. Yet she knew she must go.
She set out alone, traveling past villages, towns, and fields until she reached the wilderness where the land dipped into shadowed hills. The path grew dangerous, thorns tore at her gown, and sharp rocks cut her hands. As darkness fell, she stumbled toward the sound of rushing water and found herself at the edge of the Deeps. Strange whispers filled the air, and eerie shapes moved in the mist. A voice called, "Why have you come?"
Summoning all her courage, the Eastroyal king’s mother stood tall. "I seek a magic mirror for my son, that he may learn to rule wisely."
Silence fell. Then, the pool began to glow, and shimmering figures emerged from the depths. They were fairies dressed in flowing robes of silver and blue. One, more radiant than the rest, stepped forward.
"You have come through fear and pain for the love of your child. You shall have your reward. Look into the Deeps."
The king of Eastroyal’s mother obeyed. As she peered into the water, it shimmered and swirled, revealing the face of the old woman from the road. She smiled and rose from the water, her rags falling away as she transformed into a beautiful fairy queen, holding a gleaming mirror.
"This mirror is formed from the lowest teardrops of the Deeps," she said. "Come, let us set it in its place."
With a touch, the fairies transported them to the chamber of the young king of Eastroyal. The mirror was set into the wall, and as it took its place, images of the kingdom flickered across its surface: the farmers, the merchants, the nobles, and the beggars, all living their lives as they truly were.
When the young king awoke the next morning, he was drawn to the mirror. He watched, fascinated, as scene after scene unfolded before him. The more he looked, the more he understood. He saw the hardships of his people, their struggles and joys, and his heart burned with the desire to help them. No longer was he arrogant and self-absorbed. He became a ruler who sought justice and kindness above all else.
And so, Eastroyal started to flourish just as Westroyal had for many years, and the people loved their king for his wisdom and compassion. From that day on, every ruler of both Eastroyal and Westroyal ruled with the knowledge that true leadership comes not from power alone, but from understanding, empathy, and a heart that seeks to serve.
Source: Howes, Edith. Wonderwings and Other Fairy Stories. Cassell and Company, 1915. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/20366/pg20366-images.html#Page_17