Purple

Purple

By Thistle By Thimble

Lydia is a wealthy merchant who dyes and sells purple cloth to those who can afford it. She lives a life of luxury but has a single regret — she hasn't heard from her son in years. He turned his back on "serving the rich", and has become a teacher to the poor. When she at last receives a letter telling her where he now lives, she resolves to travel to him — though she doesn't realize how difficult and transformative the journey will be.

24 min
6+
Topics: Helping & HealingLoss & Grief

More Stories from this Collection
By Thistle By Thimble

Horse at Play

Horse at Play

By Thistle By Thimble
A young racehorse learns that a little time out to play can actually lead to her best work on the racetrack.
24 min
6+

The Fool's Son

The Fool's Son

By Thistle By Thimble
The King refuses to let his Princess daughter marry the man of her choice — the Fool's son, Jalphi. But when war breaks out, the king soon sees that Jalphi is no fool and can save the kingdom.
22 min
6+

The Woman Who Moved a Mountain

The Woman Who Moved a Mountain

By Thistle By Thimble
Jeanine Norton has kept a secret for 50 years — that she is moving a mountain! How and why is this mother, grandmother, and crossing guard accomplishing such a huge task?
24 min
6+

Tibby and the Fifth Virtue

Tibby and the Fifth Virtue

By Thistle By Thimble
Tibby loves books, especially those about knights and warriors. One day he finds a book and does not know how it arrived, could it actually be about him?
22 min
6+

Good Morning Magic

Good Morning Magic

By Thistle By Thimble
Pippy and her dad spend every morning as she wakes, and every night when she goes to bed together, and the fairies in their apartment enjoy this special time too!
22 min
6+

The Thimble, the Stein, and the Lantern

The Thimble, the Stein, and the Lantern

By Thistle By Thimble
Pavla the tailor keeps to himself and lives a quiet life, but long ago he was in love with a mysterious girl who disappeared with out a trace.
32 min
6+

The Sickleman's Riddle

The Sickleman's Riddle

By Thistle By Thimble
Alwin the sickleman, travels from farm to farm to mow their hay fields, but he never speaks. People wonder if he can, but really he's just listening and learning.
22 min
6+

The Cellar in the Woods

The Cellar in the Woods

By Thistle By Thimble
When Micah and his brother discover some curious things in the woods, they find that one of the bits of "junk" is really a very special crystal.
22 min
6+

To Be a Catcher

To Be a Catcher

By Thistle By Thimble
A nice old man who mops floors and serves lunches to kids at the baseball park wishes to keep the secret of his baseball fame in order to teach the kids the most important skill in baseball.
27 min
6+

Message in the Sand

Message in the Sand

By Thistle By Thimble
Enrico travels to an exotic island to make an important life decision and soon begins to receive advice from everywhere — the food, a kite, and then a message in the sand!
31 min
6+

Birdland

Birdland

By Thistle By Thimble
Each spring, Maati looks forward to seeing her chickadee friends but this year only one returns and she learns that the other has gone to Birdland.
22 min
6+

The Rat Catcher's Son

The Rat Catcher's Son

By Thistle By Thimble
Even though the job of "rat-catcher" isn't respected in the city where Bern lives, he learns that the patience and perseverance it requires are great life skills to have.
21 min
6+

The Road to the Old Stone Chapel

The Road to the Old Stone Chapel

By Thistle By Thimble
Mr. Shields wants to renovate the new manor he purchased, but runs into a challenge with the old stone chapel — beavers! He soon finds that a little magic works better than traps to move the beavers to a new home.
26 min
6+

The School House

The School House

By Thistle By Thimble
Three townsmen wish to build a schoolhouse for their children but lack the resources to do so. Little do they know that their wish will be granted... eventually.
27 min
6+

The Lambs Wool Blessing

The Lambs Wool Blessing

By Thistle By Thimble
People travel from afar to find out the secret of Mr. Dorsett's apple orchard success, but they never find out his secret — a blessing passed down by an apple tree elf!
25 min
6+

The Middle of the Night

The Middle of the Night

By Thistle By Thimble
Willow has loved to camp ever since her grandfather introduced her to a magical barred owl named Lucy. The magic she learned comes in handy during a stormy night in the woods.
24 min
6+

The Gift that Traveled Around the World

The Gift that Traveled Around the World

By Thistle By Thimble
An iron bulldog bank was cast in a small factory in Erie, Ohio nearly 100 years ago. After passing through many owners around the world, it miraculously ends up right back where it started!
26 min
6+

In the Woods

In the Woods

By Thistle By Thimble
When long time woodsman and hunter Lanny decides to modernize his techniques with a trail camera, he discovers there's a lot more happening in the woods than he ever imagined!
21 min
6+

Camp Over The Hills And Far Away

Camp Over The Hills And Far Away

By Thistle By Thimble
Frances has a camp that she wishes to attend, but everyone tells her it doesn't really exist. Then she finds a flier at the library for camp "Over the Hills and far Away"... could this be it?
27 min
6+

What's So

What's So

By Thistle By Thimble
Thomas is a squire feels that the knight he serves lacks adventure, glory and riches, as he spends his time caring for the poor and needy. But soon he comes to deeply respect him and his ways.
23 min
6+

Anne of the Long Window

Anne of the Long Window

By Thistle By Thimble
Anne has an imaginary friend, Gilbert, who lives in the reflection of a window in her home. Then one day, she meets a real boy named Gilbert and finds he has an imaginary friend named Anne!
20 min
6+

The Milkweed Lady and the Monarch Marble Man

The Milkweed Lady and the Monarch Marble Man

By Thistle By Thimble
Wilson is quite ill and the doctors can't help him, but after meeting the "Milkweed Lady" he is reminded of his set of magic marbles and his transformation begins.
26 min
6+

The Wizard's Words

The Wizard's Words

By Thistle By Thimble
For years a silent healer has helped a small village, never uttering a word. One day he announces that a powerful wizard is trying to take over, but assures them he has the means — be them unusual — to help.
25 min
6+

Mrs. Hartwig and the Golden Talons

Mrs. Hartwig and the Golden Talons

By Thistle By Thimble
When a beloved teacher passes away, her niece sorts through her things and finds thousands of pages of her aunt's writing that explains all the magnificent stories she's told her students for years.
22 min
6+

The Gentle Woodsman and the Final Fall Phoebe

The Gentle Woodsman and the Final Fall Phoebe

By Thistle By Thimble
Tobias has always believed he would never marry, and found fulfillment in his work. Until, one day he follows a migrating phoebe bird and meets a special lady.
30 min
6+

The Tin Cup

The Tin Cup

By Thistle By Thimble
When the son of a very busy carpenter meets a craftsman traveling through town, he realizes there are different ways to approach his craft and sees new light for his future.
21 min
6+

The Council of Fools

The Council of Fools

By Thistle By Thimble
In a land where being a Fool was a position of honor of respect, certain Fools began to forget how to use their "fools" skills to entertain the people, until a newcomer reminds them of their true purpose.
28 min
6+

Fit for the King

Fit for the King

By Thistle By Thimble
When a King creates unrealistic standards for his subjects, many leave the land to make their own way. But when his son takes over the kingdom he learns from his father's mistakes and changes things for the better.
26 min
6+

Onatah's Table

Onatah's Table

By Thistle By Thimble
When the Duke's son becomes very ill a doctor suggests his father take him to an unusual Inn called Onatah's Table where miraculous recoveries take place.
26 min
6+

The Dollmaker

The Dollmaker

By Thistle By Thimble
When Max accidentally breaks a porcelain doll that's been a family heirloom, his mother decides to bring the doll to a master doll maker who discovers, the doll has actually been broken before.
21 min
6+

The Cello Maker

The Cello Maker

By Thistle By Thimble
Ilana is a talented 12 year old cellist but her new cello just sounds wrong. When she starts to hate playing, her teacher takes her to a famous cello maker with a secret...
30 min
6+

Times Gone By

Times Gone By

By Thistle By Thimble
Michael, a history teacher, loves the Old American West, and decides to take his daughter Linny on a trip to "times gone by" to help her get over her unhappiness at school.
28 min
6+

The Blanket

The Blanket

By Thistle By Thimble
Leah loves her "smudgy" blanket because each smudge remind her of things she loves about her town, and how each mark got there. Can she let her parents wash it?
20 min
6+

A Bird in the Airport

A Bird in the Airport

By Thistle By Thimble
David is nervous about returning from his grandparents to the new house his father moved into, but a little bird in the airport gives him a different perspective.
18 min
6+

The Navigator

The Navigator

By Thistle By Thimble
One girl has the courage to stand up to her whole village, leave her comfortable home, and keep a promise to their Captain.
27 min
6+

The Oath of Brothers

The Oath of Brothers

By Thistle By Thimble
After being elected president of his country, Bo Corsi receives a note from his long-lost brother remininding him of an oath they took to pledge their lives to the poor...
25 min
6+

The Carousel Painter

The Carousel Painter

By Thistle By Thimble
Brigit works for a famous carousel painter and is promoted from painting the saddles to an entire horse. Her special touch changes the way carousels will look forever!
26 min
6+

The Goldsmith Who Knew How to Fish

The Goldsmith Who Knew How to Fish

By Thistle By Thimble
When a hardworking goldsmith finally takes the time to partake in his favorite hobby — fishing — he realizes why taking time to relax actually benefits his work as well.
24 min
6+

The Sweet Grass Basket

The Sweet Grass Basket

By Thistle By Thimble
A hard working family is gifted a magical sweet grass basket that they are told 'will give back whatever you put in it." They are amazed at what transpires after putting a wish in the basket!
26 min
6+

The Fort Keeper

The Fort Keeper

By Thistle By Thimble
A dedicated fort keeper is the only enlisted man at an abandoned fort and one day he discovers an intruder — a young boy. After introducing himself, he finds everything changes...
24 min
6+

The Secret of Schuyler Springs

The Secret of Schuyler Springs

By Thistle By Thimble
When the springs unexpectedly dry up in the famous Schuyler Springs, a special person must rely on the clues left by three young girls to save the Springs.
34 min
6+

The Log Dancer

The Log Dancer

By Thistle By Thimble
Bishop Shaddock has followed in the footsteps of his father as a "log dancer" — someone who prevents log jams while moving logs downriver. But he realizes the hardest job of all is being a father himself.
18 min
6+

Grit and the Glover

Grit and the Glover

By Thistle By Thimble
Finnian wants to be a glover — a maker of gloves. But he realizes there's nobody in town to teach him how. Can "grit" get him through the challenge so he can fulfill his dream?
24 min
6+

Lady Jovial

Lady Jovial

By Thistle By Thimble
When the smiling, kind "pigeon lady" stops showing up at the river, the people wonder where she has gone. Then a young girl finds out her true identity and her life changes forever...
25 min
6+

The Royal Burden

The Royal Burden

By Thistle By Thimble
When an adventurous King and Queen leave behind servants to explore new lands, most leave for new positions. Only the Fool and the Cook remain, with a surprising plan to change their lives.
26 min
6+

The Barber King

The Barber King

By Thistle By Thimble
Old Fisher, the barber of Elkhorn, is always available to offer up friendship and wisdom, but the townspeople don't give him much business. But a newcomer from the city changes all that...
22 min
6+

The Secret of the Redwings

The Secret of the Redwings

By Thistle By Thimble
Over the years a small town has gone from vibrant and pristine to overgrown and unkempt. But when a little girl begins to explore the park, it begins to transform.
21 min
6+

The Thief

The Thief

By Thistle By Thimble
Three figures walk along a road on a beautiful day, but what they seek is not enjoyment of the weather, but rather to find a thief!
43 min
6+

Set in Stone

Set in Stone

By Thistle By Thimble
Nani has a falling out with his brother and leaves the family and the island he's called home. Many years later his granddaughter shows him what he's lost by being so stubborn.
25 min
6+

Riches or Wishes

Riches or Wishes

By Thistle By Thimble
Renzelman the Great is an traveling magician who isn't very good at magic. But the one trick he has — changing a stone into a tiny man — isn't really a trick at all.
23 min
6+

The Baker's True Home

The Baker's True Home

By Thistle By Thimble
Angus bakes pies and tarts for the Parliament and enjoys his work but feels lost lost and alone in the city. One day a surprising invite changes his simple life forever.
23 min
6+

Sister's Sword

Sister's Sword

By Thistle By Thimble
When a blacksmith takes in a young girl who's father was recently lost in battle, he finds that her father's courage and sense of adventure are alive and well within the girl.
23 min
6+

Get our Newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly email updates with new stories, Sparkle news, and seasonal activities!

Stay Connected

Download on the Apple App Store
AboutContactFAQPrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceBlogStore
©2019 Sparkle Stories. All rights reserved.