After making several round trips, even traveling by the deer - drawn cart, Glen felt a certain degree of weariness.

Glen parked the deer - drawn cart along the street and stepped out to stretch his limbs.

Just as he was relaxing, he heard someone calling his name from afar.

He turned his head and saw that at the end of the street, Lila was holding a book in her left hand, waving her right hand vigorously, and trotting towards him.

"Miss Lila, we meet again." Glen said politely as he watched her approach.

"Mr. Glen." Lila panted slightly. "At first, I wasn't certain it was you. It was only when I caught sight of your magnificent deer that I was sure."

"It's indeed quite distinctive." Glen glanced at his precious steed and then continued, "Are you out shopping?"

"I went to the bookstore to purchase a book." With that, she waved the book in her hand, on which the title read: Mechanical Structure and Principles.

"You're truly eager to learn..." Glen expressed his profound admiration.

The little girl merely smiled and then extended an invitation, "Mr. Glen, are you occupied at the moment? If not, would you care to visit my home as a guest?"

"I wouldn't say I'm overly busy, but thank you for your kind offer. Perhaps another time."

Glen didn't have the inclination to spend time engaging in conversation with others as a guest for the time being.

"Very well..." The disappointment in Lila's eyes flashed by quickly, yet she still wore a smile.

Naturally, Glen didn't miss any of the little girl's subtle emotions, but he could only think of words to offer comfort.

However, before he could speak, he suddenly felt something clutching his calf.

He looked down and saw a chubby boy of approximately six or seven years old.

"Little chub, what are you up to?" Glen asked, pinching the plump cheeks of the little fellow.

But the child just clung on tightly and remained silent.

Lila also noticed the suddenly appearing child. She bent down and asked softly, "What's the matter, little one? Do you need any assistance?"

The child still did not respond.

Just as Glen was about to forcefully pull the chubby boy away, a woman rushed over in a flurry, grabbed the boy, and said in a tearful voice,

"Cory! What's wrong with you?! Let go!"

Glen was thoroughly confused. Just as he was considering how to handle the situation, he felt something lunging at his other leg.

He quickly lifted his foot, causing the attacker to miss. But before he could feel triumphant, the child directly joined the chubby boy in clutching his leg.

Glen was utterly speechless!

This time, it was a little girl. Just like the chubby boy, she clung to him without uttering a word.

The girl's parents also arrived. This time, it was a couple who tugged at the child beside Glen's feet.

The little girl had less strength and was easily pulled away. But the moment she was released, she began to struggle and wail, creating a chaotic scene.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

People around cast curious glances, eager to watch the spectacle.

Glen pulled the chubby boy away, lifted him up, and then walked to the side and took a seat.

The child stared at Glen with his small eyes.

"What on earth is wrong with your child?" Glen asked the bewildered woman.

"I have no idea, sir. Ever since he was found after going missing last time, my child has become very peculiar. He's been taciturn all day, refuses to speak, and has nightmares every night. Now, he's doing this inexplicable thing again..."

The woman still spoke with a sobbing tone.

However, these words immediately made Glen realize something. He remembered that when he was battling that enormous worm, all the trapped children had their eyes wide open.

It seems they still remember what I looked like before I transformed... He put the chubby boy down, and the latter immediately clung to him again.

With just a brief observation, Glen detected characteristics similar to depression in this little one.

Was it due to excessive fright or the influence of that huge worm?... He then looked at the little girl, who also exhibited similar traits.

Perhaps I can go back and consult the old man. He should know a great deal. I wonder if that cantankerous old fellow is willing to lend a hand?

As Glen was deep in thought, Lila also slowly smoothed her trousers and sat down beside him, gazing at Glen's pensive face with curiosity.

For the moment, having no other alternatives, Glen could only address the matter at hand first.

He looked at the people before him and tentatively asked the two children, "Have you ever heard of fairy tales?"

The chubby boy shook his head. The little girl, who had already broken free from her parents, also clung to Glen and shook her head.

"Fairy tales? Are they the same as the stories sung by the bards?" Lila asked curiously.

"You don't know either?" Glen was astonished.

Logically speaking, there should be fairy tales in this era... shouldn't there?... Glen thought uncertainly.

Lila tried hard to recollect but eventually shook her head. "I've never heard of such a story title at all."

The parents of the two children also shook their heads, indicating that they were unfamiliar with fairy tales.

The memory of the original host also contained no information about fairy tales, and his memory was of no use as a reference.

"Since you haven't heard of them, I'll tell you one..."

Glen wasn't sure if telling fairy tales would have any effect, but it was the only solution that occurred to him at the moment.

The onlookers around had already dispersed, and not many people were paying attention to them.

Initially, he had intended to find a story that was more relevant to the experiences of these two children, but since he couldn't recall one for the moment, Glen decided to tell a random one:

"The name of this story is The Ugly Duckling."

Lila sat up straight.

The parents of the children also couldn't resist finding a place to sit down. While they wanted to keep an eye on their children, they also wanted to hear what this so - called fairy tale was all about.

The story unfolded slowly.

"... The ugly duckling was born and was shunned by the surrounding animals. Everyone who saw him mistreated him..."

Glen imitated the tone he remembered from the television, which was highly captivating.

Gradually, the surroundings grew quiet.

Lila propped her chin with her hands and listened intently, enthralled by the absurdity, the bizarreness, and the beauty of the story.

The animals in the story had human - like emotions and could even converse.

The dialogues were filled with innocence, simple yet intoxicating.

She had never heard such an intriguing story before.

The two children, and even the adults, were deeply engrossed in the story.

When he reached the part where the ugly duckling finally transformed into a white swan and the story reached a happy conclusion.

Glen looked around and noticed that everyone was still lost in thought, wearing expressions of lingering fascination.

"That's the end of the story, everyone."

Glen's words roused the others. Lila couldn't help but step forward and grasp Glen's hands with both of hers:

"Mr. Glen, this story is truly wonderful! If I could have heard it when I was a child, it would have surely left me with wonderful memories..."

Her cheeks flushed, and she paid no heed to the book she had just bought, which had fallen to the side.

Glen attempted to pull his hands away but couldn't.

"I have little ducks at home. Will any of them turn into white swans?"

The chubby boy asked with anticipation.

"It's possible..." Glen replied perfunctorily.

"I also have ducks at home, but there are no little ducks." The little girl said dejectedly.

"It doesn't matter. Just go back and let the ducks have a clutch of ducklings..." Glen continued to reply casually.

"Hooray!" The two children finally released Glen.

"Mom and Dad, let's go and make the ducks have ducklings!"

"Mom, I want to find the ugly duckling!"

The parents of both children were overjoyed. They hadn't seen their children smile like this for a long time, and tears welled up in their eyes. They immediately expressed their gratitude to Glen: "Thank you so much, sir. We will always remember your kindness."

With that, they were pulled away by their children.