Twenty-Three Boys and the Magical Blue Flower — A Retold Fairy Tale of Friendship and Hope

Once upon a time, in a kingdom filled with wonder and magic, there lived twenty-three young men, each uniquely talented and charming as if their faces had been dusted with diamond powder. Twenty-two of them shared a lively dormitory, while the twenty-third, Prince Mark Lee, resided in the royal palace.

In the dormitory, the leader was Taeyong, known for his wisdom and sense of responsibility. Taeil, the eldest, offered sage advice, while Johnny, a nomad from distant lands, brought stories from afar. Yuta, from Japan, managed their schedules with precision, and the others, from Kun, Doyoung, Ten, to the youngest, Jisung, formed a brotherhood bound by friendship.

One chilly evening, as the group prepared for bed, Haechan softly sang a lullaby called Moon, Stars, Sky, and Dreams, a gentle tune in Greek that his parents had passed down to him. His voice, soothing and sweet, captivated everyone.

“Haechan, what song is that? It’s beautiful,” asked Jaehyun, curious.

Haechan smiled, albeit a little shyly.

“It’s a lullaby from my father’s side. I’m of Greek-Korean descent, though I’ve lived here all my life.”

The revelation surprised them all, and the room buzzed with questions and fascination. Their warm chatter carried them until Taeyong reminded everyone that it was nearly midnight and time for sleep.

A Midnight Summons

As the dormitory fell into slumber, the night was suddenly pierced by the sound of galloping hooves. The twenty-two young men stirred awake, gathering at the doorway to see a group of royal guards and the Prime Minister of Adrimaliana standing before them.

The Prime Minister approached with a heavy heart.

“Prince Mark has fallen gravely ill since returning from a neighboring island. He has not awakened for five days. The royal healer says only a potion made from the Magical Blue Flower can save him.”

A wave of shock and sadness swept through the group. Winwin was the first to speak,

“Why have we only heard of this now? We must help!”

Without hesitation, Taeyong rallied his friends,

“We’ll join your search. Prince Mark is our brother—we won’t let him fade away!”

Together with the guards, they ventured into the mystical forest, lanterns casting golden halos in the darkness.

The Search for the Magical Blue Flowers

Under the shadow of towering trees, Kun and Yangyang led the way, their lamps piercing through the gloom. Suddenly, Chenle spotted a cluster of three radiant blue flowers glowing faintly on their left.

“Over here! I’ve found some!” he called out.

The guards carefully plucked the delicate blooms and placed them in a woven basket. Not long after, Yangyang discovered eight more blue flowers just ahead.

“Look there—eight more! Be gentle when picking them.”

They continued deeper into the forest, eyes sharp and hearts hopeful. The group moved as one, seeking and gathering, until the basket brimmed with the shimmering blue blossoms.

Weary but determined, they made their way to the palace, Johnny carrying the precious basket.

A Race Against Time

At the palace gates, Taeyong pressed the Prime Minister.

“Please hurry! Mark has waited too long. His life hangs by a thread.”

The Prime Minister urged the guards to hasten their steps. Once inside, the basket of flowers was handed to the royal healer.

“Thank you, brave souls,” the healer said. “These flowers may be our only hope.”

“Can we see him?” Jisung asked softly.

A servant nodded and guided them through the opulent halls to a grand chamber. There, on a velvet-canopied bed, lay Prince Mark, his face pale but peaceful, as though he merely slept.

“Since his return five days ago, he has not stirred,” the maid whispered. “The healer fears he may slip into an eternal sleep, like the old tales of Sleeping Beauty.”

The words sent chills through the group. Jungwoo clasped his hands in prayer,

“Please, let the healer’s fears be wrong. Let him wake.”

The healer worked swiftly, brewing the blue flowers into a shimmering potion. She carefully administered it to Mark, who lay still, his chest rising and falling faintly.

The friends stood together, watching, waiting, hoping.

Moral of the Story

True friendship shines brightest in times of crisis. Loyalty, unity, and courage can bring light even to the darkest moments. No matter how distant or hopeless a situation seems, standing together may awaken miracles.