Beneath the shade of a grand oak tree, Ellie the baker’s daughter was making a crown of wildflowers. She hummed softly, her hands working quickly. Beside her, Marco, the royal gardener, was trimming roses. They were best friends, always busy with something fun. Today, Ellie had a secret to tell.

“Guess what?” Ellie whispered, her eyes wide. “I heard there’s a new mountain that just appeared overnight! Papa said it’s made of glass.”

Marco stopped trimming. “Glass? A whole mountain?” he asked, sounding doubtful. “That’s not possible.”

Ellie nodded. “It is! And they say it sparkles like diamonds in the sun. But no one can climb it. It’s too slippery.”

Nearby, Prince Leo was feeding his horse, Bolt. Leo wasn’t like other princes. He didn’t wear fancy clothes or sit on a throne all day. He loved being outside, exploring, and talking with everyone in the village. Hearing Ellie’s words, he joined them.

“A glass mountain?” Leo asked, curious. “Where is it?”

Ellie pointed toward the far side of the forest. “Beyond the river, where the old dragon’s cave used to be.”

“A dragon? Does the dragon live there?” Marco asked nervously.

“No one’s seen it in years,” Ellie shrugged. “They say it’s gone, but you never know.”

Leo’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I want to see this mountain.”

“Be careful,” Ellie warned. “It’s dangerous.”

But Leo was already running toward the stables to get Bolt. “I’ll be back before dark!” he called out. Ellie and Marco watched as he disappeared into the forest, unsure if he would really come back.

The path through the forest was full of twists and turns. Birds chirped above, and the wind whispered secrets through the trees. When Leo finally reached the river, he saw it—the Glass Mountain. It towered above the forest, glittering with a thousand colors. Leo had never seen anything like it.

“Wow,” he whispered, his eyes wide.

But something else caught his attention. Near the base of the mountain, there was a small figure struggling to climb. It was Marco!

“Marco!” Leo shouted. “What are you doing here?”

Marco slipped and slid down, landing with a thud. “I wanted to see it too,” he said, looking embarrassed. “But I can’t get up. It’s too slippery.”

Leo reached out a hand to help his friend up. “Let’s try together,” he suggested.

They both tried, but the mountain was too smooth. They kept sliding back down no matter how hard they tried. Just as they were about to give up, there was a loud roar. The boys turned around and froze. A dragon, green and fierce, was staring right at them.

“Who dares to climb my mountain?” the dragon snarled.

Leo stepped forward, trying to be brave. “I’m Prince Leo, and this is my friend Marco. We didn’t mean any harm. We just wanted to see the mountain.”

The dragon looked at them closely. “I made this mountain to protect something very precious,” it said. “No one is allowed to climb it.”

“What are you protecting?” Marco asked, his voice trembling.

The dragon hesitated, then said, “A friend who’s been lost for a long time.”

Leo looked puzzled. “A friend?”

The dragon nodded. “A friend who was turned into glass and is now trapped inside the mountain.”

Marco’s eyes widened. “A person? Trapped in the mountain?”

The dragon nodded again. “Yes, and only a brave heart can break the spell.”

Leo’s mind raced. “How can we help?” he asked.

The dragon looked thoughtful. “You must find the golden feather of the Phoenix. It’s hidden deep inside the forest. Only that feather can shatter the glass.”

Without another word, Leo and Marco ran back into the forest. They searched everywhere—under rocks, behind trees, and even in old nests. Just when they thought they would never find it, Marco spotted a shimmer under a bush. It was the golden feather!

They raced back to the mountain. The dragon watched as Leo held the feather high and pressed it against the glass. There was a bright flash, and the mountain began to crack. Suddenly, a young girl stepped out. She was glowing, her eyes filled with joy.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling. “I’ve been trapped for so long.”

The dragon, now gentle and calm, lowered its head. “Welcome back, old friend.”

Leo and Marco stared, amazed. The girl wasn’t just anyone. She was the lost princess from a story they had heard as kids—a princess who disappeared many years ago. The dragon had kept her safe, hidden inside the mountain of glass.

As the sun set, Leo, Marco, the princess, and the dragon sat together, laughing and sharing stories. The Glass Mountain no longer sparkled; it had melted into the earth, leaving behind only a memory of the adventure.

“Do you think anyone will believe us?” Marco asked.

Leo smiled. “Maybe not. But we’ll know it happened.”

And from that day on, the Glass Mountain became a legend in the village—a story of friendship, bravery, and the magic of an unexpected twist.