The magical world of fairy tales thrives on enchanting encounters, courageous heroes, and wondrous events. Students from Grades 5 and 6 at accadis International School Bad Homburg brought this fantasy to life in an impressive way. A total of 32 of their stories were published as part of the Bad Homburg Fairy Tale Competition, with some even receiving awards and being recorded as audio tales.
"Together for Each Other" – The Theme of the Fairy Tale Competition
The 2024 Fairy Tale Competition in Bad Homburg revolved around the theme "Together for Each Other". Whether humorous, thrilling, or reflective, the young authors were encouraged to unleash their creativity. The only guideline: the fairy tale needed to have a connection to Bad Homburg.
All students from Bad Homburg schools could participate, either individually or in teams. The stories could be around 500 words long, and all selected fairy tales were published on the city’s official Fairy Tale Blog.
Awarded by the Jury and Drawn as Winners: Tales that Enchant
Among all the published stories, ten winners were chosen. Congratulations to Elise, Karl, and Caitlin, who each received a €25 Bad Homburg shopping voucher and a surprise prize.
In addition, a jury selected several other fairy tales, which were lovingly illustrated and even recorded as audio tales. These special stories were featured in the official Christmas City program booklet and displayed in the city center during the Advent season. Congratulations to Ela, Jasper, and Tristan for achieving this recognition!
Award-Winning Tales – Full of Magic and Courage
Here’s a glimpse into the enchanting tales written by accadis students:
- Ela: "The Yellow Notebook" tells of magical bracelets that grant wishes and how friendship and courage reveal true strength.
- Jasper: "The Frosty Healing Flower" transports readers to a snowy wonderland, where a brave boy searches for a magical flower to save his village.
- Tristan: "The Three Shooting Stars" is a poetic tale of hope and the power of wishes, filled with mesmerizing imagery.
- Elise: "Daisy’s Three Wishes" follows a clever and brave princess who teams up with an elf to fulfill three wishes and surpass her own limits.
- Karl: In "The Gingerbread Men", magical cookies save a family from a Christmas calamity.
- Caitlin: "The Christmas Performance" showcases how teamwork and solidarity can achieve the impossible.
The Art of Writing Fairy Tales – Fostering Imagination and Storytelling
Fairy tales are more than just imaginative stories. They enhance linguistic expression, nurture creativity, and encourage reflection. Through storytelling and writing, students practice articulating complex ideas, conveying emotions, and transporting readers to distant worlds. These skills are invaluable for academic success and personal growth alike.
"The best part of writing a fairy tale was being able to imagine anything I wanted," one student shared enthusiastically.
A Big Moment for the Winners
On November 23, 2024, the winning students were invited to a press photo session with Lord Mayor Alexander Hetjes and Mayor Dr. Oliver Jedynak – a valuable recognition of their achievements. The creative works, including illustrations and audio recordings, can be admired on the Fairy Tale Blog of the City of Bad Homburg.
We are incredibly proud of all our young fairy tale storytellers. Congratulations!
“…and if they haven’t passed away, they’re still alive and celebrating Christmas today.” – Elise, Grade 5