Get Rich by Lying, Crush Everything

On the edge of the Black Forest, Isolde lost her mother at an early age. Her father John remarried Martha, a cruel and lazy woman who abused Isolde and her two younger brothers, Elias and Leon. One day, the three children went into the forest to gather firewood and wild fruits. There they found Lanky, a tiny baby girl transformed from a lucky clover rabbit. Lanky bore a four-leaf clover birthmark on her forehead. She was sweet and adorable, bringing good fortune wherever she went. Isolde brought her home. Their stepmother opposed keeping the child, but father John relented and let Lanky stay. Good luck soon followed Lanky’s arrival: a kyanite vein was discovered by the river. The siblings sold the gemstones for money. Later, Isolde donated the mineral lode to the whole village, so all villagers could quarry the stones and grow wealthy together. Overcome by jealousy, the stepmother tricked the three children into the deep forest where wolves roamed. When Lanky fell, she breathed life back into dead bushes, which bore cookies and candies. The stepmother falsely accused the children of theft and beat them with a broom. King Arthur, traveling incognito, appeared at that moment. Lanky made a withered tree bear fruit, exposing the stepmother’s lies. The stepmother conspired with merchant Old Bill and bandits. They sneaked in at night to kidnap Lanky and steal the gemstones. Isolde chased after them but was captured. The bandits intended to force her into marriage. Lanky escaped. Her tears turned into glowing mushrooms to light the trail. John led the villagers together with Arthur’s soldiers and rescued Isolde. Martha and Old Bill betrayed each other under interrogation and were sentenced to death. Isolde and John pleaded for mercy. Martha’s death sentence was commuted; she was condemned to quarry stones by the river for the rest of her life. Revealing his identity as king, Arthur married Isolde. John was appointed Royal Forester. Elias and Leon were admitted to the royal palace school. Lanky was titled the Lucky Star of the Kingdom. Lanky served as flower girl. The whole family moved into the palace, living happily, beloved by all.