The Laughing Clock

In the village of Tickton, where cobbled streets wind between crooked houses, the old square clock stands taller than everything around it. Amelia, a curious girl with curly pigtails and a brass compass around her neck, greets the clock each morning and calls it the best clock in the world. Her Grandpa Wilbur serves as clock keeper and winds it every day, yet Amelia keeps noticing small things, such as the pocket watch chain he never seems to use.

One morning, while Mayor Primrose promises a perfect festival, the clock lets out a giggle. Amelia learns its secret: the clock laughs at lies, giggling at the baker's claims and the tailor's excuses until the whole village hears it and begins telling the truth to avoid the giggles. Grandpa Wilbur, however, grows quiet and flinches at every laugh, and Amelia senses he is hiding something. This tale by Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN explores honesty, guilt and forgiveness, and can be read on Online Masal.