The Chalk Kingdom

Mira kneels on the sidewalk one sunny Saturday with her pouch of coloured chalk and draws a castle with tall towers and a wavy flag. Her friend Toby, in his green hoodie and round glasses, arrives with a bucket of chunky chalk, and the two set out to draw an entire kingdom. The chalk lines shimmer and rise into a tiny living world, where a thumb-sized ruler named Prince Pip stands on the castle wall in his gold crown and red cape. Pip is proud of his kingdom but confesses that he is lonely and longs to visit other kingdoms.

Mira and Toby draw more kingdoms, and new tiny rulers appear, among them Queen Doodle with lavender skin and a tall silver bun, followed by a little knight and a wizard. Because each kingdom sits across a wide gap of plain sidewalk, the children decide to build a safe road and a strong bridge to connect them. Lines wobble, the road needs lengthening and bumps must be smoothed, yet everyone contributes until the kingdoms are joined. Written by Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN, this gentle tale of teamwork and creativity can be read on Online Masal.