The Cartwheel Princess

    By C Liebenberg

    The Cartwheel Princess cover image

    22 Feb, 2024

    a cartoon girl in a yellow dress is running down a street with people in the background and a tree, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, brown skin

    Once upon a time, in a vibrant suburban town lived Pfarelo, a magical princess who didn't walk but cartwheeled everywhere. Her cartwheels were a sight to behold, as graceful as a ballerina and as nimble as a gymnast.

    two people standing in front of a hut with a thatched roof and a straw hut with thatched roof, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, highly detailed digital painting

    Pfarelo's father, Matthew, was the village chief. He was a tall man, known for his wisdom. Her mother, Noxolo, was the village healer, adored for her loving nature.

    two children are walking through a field holding hands and smiling at each other with trees in the background and a blue sky, harlem renaissance, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, official art

    Pfarelo also had a little brother, Harris. He admired his sister and tried to imitate her cartwheels, often landing on his bottom, much to everyone's amusement.

    three young girls walking down a path in a cartoon style, with a village in the background and a river running through the middle, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    Pfarelo's days were filled with laughter and joy. She would cartwheel to the river, her friends running behind her, their laughter echoing throughout the village.

    a cartoon girl in a bathing suit in the water with her arms out and her hand out to the side, photorealism, a storybook illustration, Bob Thompson, brown skin

    At the river, Pfarelo would dive in, swimming with the grace of a dolphin. Her friends would join her, splashing and playing in the cool water.

    a cartoon girl in a dress holding a ball in a river with rocks and trees in the background and a star above her head, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris Rallis, rossdraws global illumination

    One day, while swimming, Pfarelo found a beautiful, shining stone. It was smooth and cool to the touch, and Pfarelo felt a magical energy radiating from it.

    a woman with a necklace and earrings on her head, standing in front of a doorway with a light, fantasy art, a character portrait, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, magic the gathering artwork

    Pfarelo showed the stone to her parents. Noxolo recognized it as a magical stone, believed to grant a single wish to the holder.

    a black woman in a floral dress standing in front of a flower garden with a house in the background, harlem renaissance, a character portrait, Constance Gordon-Cumming, kinkade

    Pfarelo thought hard about her wish. She loved her life, her family, her friends, and her village. What could she possibly wish for?

    a cartoon girl in a dress standing in a street with a building in the background and a potted plant in the foreground, magical realism, a character portrait, Constance Gordon-Cumming, comic cover art

    One day, Harris tried to do a cartwheel and hurt himself. Seeing her brother in pain, Pfarelo knew what she wanted to wish for.

    a young black woman with a head piece and a gold necklace on her head, standing in front of a village, fantasy art, a character portrait, Constance Gordon-Cumming, rossdraws global illumination

    She held the shining stone, closed her eyes, and wished that everyone in her village would be healthy and safe always.

    a cartoon character with a golden necklace and afro hair, standing in front of a mountain landscape with a full moon, afrofuturism, a character portrait, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, brown skin

    The stone glowed brightly, and Pfarelo felt a warm energy envelop her. She knew her wish had been granted.

    a cartoon of three women in colorful dresses standing in front of a village with straw huts and a thatched roof, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    From that day on, the villagers noticed a change. Everyone was healthier, and accidents were less frequent. Pfarelo's wish had truly come true.

    three young girls are running down a street together in dresses and shoes, with a building in the background, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, brown skin

    Pfarelo continued to cartwheel around the village, her laughter ringing out like music. Her friends followed her, their spirits high and hearts full.

    a black family standing together in a room with a painting of a woman and man in the background and a child in the foreground, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, graphic novel

    Pfarelo's parents watched their daughter, their hearts filled with love and pride. They knew their daughter was special, but her selfless wish confirmed it.

    a couple of kids that are standing in the street together with a sky full of stars behind them and a building with a lot of lights, harlem renaissance, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    Harris tried his cartwheels again, and this time he didn't fall. He grinned at Pfarelo, his eyes shining with admiration for his sister.

    a cartoon girl in a colorful dress standing in front of a group of girls in dresses and headbands, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, official art

    Pfarelo was the perfect daughter, sister, and friend. Her magical energy spread joy and health in the village, earning her the nickname 'The Cartwheel Princess'.

    a cartoon of three girls in a river with a fish in their hand and a man in the background, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    She spent her days swimming in the river, playing with her friends, and making her family proud. Her life was a beautiful dance of joy and magic.

    a cartoon girl in a yellow dress is walking through a field of flowers with the sun in the background, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    One day, Pfarelo cartwheeled into the sunset, the golden rays highlighting her radiant smile. She knew she had made the best wish for her loved ones.

    a cartoon of a woman in a colorful dress standing in front of a group of people in a village, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, official art

    The villagers watched the Cartwheel Princess, their hearts filled with gratitude. They knew they were blessed to have Pfarelo, the magical princess, in their lives.

    a cartoon girl in a dress and headband holding a yellow jug in a street with balloons in the background, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    Pfarelo's story became a tale told for generations. Her selfless love, joyous spirit, and magical cartwheels were remembered by all, long after her time.

    a woman in a dress is holding hands with children in a village in the background, with a sky background, afrofuturism, a storybook illustration, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    And so, Pfarelo, the Cartwheel Princess, continued to live in the hearts of the villagers, a symbol of joy, health, and love that would never fade.