Precious One and Worn-out One

Precious One and Worn-out One (Children’s Storybook Manuscript) Page 1 Text: Once upon a time, there lived a kind man who had two wives. He called one Precious One and the other Worn-out One. Precious One had two sons, while Worn-out One had only one. They all lived together on a small farm with many sheep. But every night, one sheep mysteriously disappeared from their pen. Illustration Prompt: A peaceful countryside farm with two houses, a sheep pen, and three cheerful boys. Precious One and Worn-out One standing by their homes. Night sky above with sheep quietly grazing. Page 2 Text: The father grew worried. “My sons,” he said, “every night one of you must stay awake to guard the sheep and find out who is stealing them.” The eldest son of Precious One proudly said, “I will watch tonight, Father.” That night, he stayed by the pen until he grew sleepy and fell asleep. A sneaky shadow crept in and stole a sheep. Illustration Prompt: The eldest son sitting beside the sheep pen, looking determined. The moon high above. A shadowy figure of a ghoul creeping toward the sheep. Page 3 Text: In the morning, the eldest counted the sheep. “Oh no! One is missing!” The next night, the second son of Precious One said, “I will watch, Father.” But just like his brother, he fell asleep, and again the mysterious thief stole another sheep. Illustration Prompt: The second son yawning by the sheep pen.

A sneaky ghoul shape stealing a sheep. Morning light showing fewer sheep in the pen. Page 4 Text: The father sighed. “Now, it is your turn, son of Worn-out One.” The son of Worn-out One smiled. “I will need three bags of roasted watermelon seeds to keep me awake.” That night, he crunched the seeds and kept his eyes open. Soon, a large ghoul crept toward the pen. The boy hid quietly and watched as the ghoul took a sheep and walked away. Illustration Prompt: The youngest boy eating roasted watermelon seeds, sitting alert by the sheep pen. A large ghoul sneaking away with a sheep. Page 5 Text: The boy secretly followed the ghoul to a deep, dark well covered by a huge rock. The ghoul moved the rock, dropped into the well, and vanished. The clever boy marked the spot with a pile of stones and a wooden stick so he could find it later. Illustration Prompt: The boy hiding behind bushes, watching the ghoul move a heavy rock. A deep well in the forest with a pile of stones marking it. Page 6 Text: In the morning, the boy told his father and brothers what he had seen. They all went together to the well. The father asked, “Who will go down?” The two sons of Precious One were afraid. “I will go!” said the brave son of Worn-out One. Illustration Prompt: The father and three sons standing by the well.

The rock rolled aside, showing a deep, dark hole. Page 7 Text: The boy climbed down the well and discovered a hidden room where three beautiful girls sat, each glowing like the moon. They said, “We were taken from our homes by the ghoul.” Suddenly, the boy heard heavy footsteps—the ghoul was coming! Illustration Prompt: Inside the well: three glowing girls in a magical room. The boy looking surprised. Dark shadows at the entrance. Page 8 Text: The boy hid in a small alcove. Above him was a shiny sword. One of the girls whispered, “Only strike the ghoul when his eyes turn red in deep sleep.” The ghoul entered, sniffing the air. “I smell a human!” The girls laughed. “You smell your own travels.” The ghoul fell asleep in the youngest girl’s lap. His eyes turned red. Illustration Prompt: The boy hiding in a wall recess. The ghoul lying in the youngest girl’s lap, eyes glowing red. Page 9 Text: The boy leapt out, took the sword, and struck the ghoul. The ghoul let out a roar and vanished. The boy called up to his father, “The ghoul is gone! Send a rope to bring us up.” One by one, he helped the girls climb up. The youngest girl gave him a bracelet as a gift of thanks. Illustration Prompt: The boy defeating the ghoul. The girls being lifted by rope. The youngest girl giving a bracelet to the boy. Page 10 Text:

When the boy tried to climb out, his father became greedy. Enchanted by the youngest girl’s beauty, the father cut the rope and left the boy in the well. But the boy was clever. He explored a cave at the bottom of the well and found a secret passage that led him back to the surface. Illustration Prompt: The father looking conflicted at the well. The boy in the cave below, finding a hidden passage lit by sunlight. Page 11 Text: In the city, the boy learned his father was trying to marry the youngest girl. But she refused. “I will only marry the man who can match my bracelet.” The father went to all the goldsmiths, but none could make a match. Illustration Prompt: The girl holding her bracelet, refusing the father. The father visiting different goldsmiths, looking worried. Page 12 Text: The boy appeared before his father. “I can make a matching bracelet. Bring me three bags of roasted watermelon seeds, and come back in two days.” After two days, he presented the matching bracelet—the very one the girl had given him. When she saw it, she smiled. “Bring me the maker of this bracelet.” Illustration Prompt: The boy working on the bracelet. The girl recognizing the matching bracelet and smiling. Page 13 Text: When the boy stood before her, the girl recognized her rescuer. She declared, “This is the brave one who saved us from the ghoul!”

The people celebrated as the girl married the son of Worn-out One, and they lived happily ever after. Illustration Prompt: The boy and the girl in a joyful wedding ceremony. The sheep safe in the background. The family smiling, except the father looking sheepish but forgiven.