Bean Kingdom: Chapter 05: The Forbidden Love

By Jorge Pereira
Written and illustrated with the help of AI (Copilot, Claude, Perplexity)
Reading by Jorge AI from Eleven Labs
(Original idea credits to Jorge Pereira, Alyssa Pereira, Alexander Pereira and Jeff Forbes
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Chapter 5: The Forbidden Love

As fall comes to an end, and the first visible cold night of the sunset gathering, a hush fell over the Bean Kingdom. For amidst the music, laughter and beautiful sunset, an unexpected romance had blossomed – one that threatened to upend the longstanding traditions of the realm.

Young Angela, a vibrant Red Bean known for her exceptional musical artistry, had found herself utterly smitten with the brave and noble Eduardo, a stalwart member of the Fava Bean royal guard. Their initial encounter was one of chance, their vines intertwining as they reached for the same jewel-encrusted goblet at the Festival of Gratitude a few months back.

From that moment on, they were inseparable, stealing precious moments together in the secluded gardens, sharing hopes and dreams that transcended their bean varieties. Angela was captivated by Eduardo’s unwavering courage and his dedication to protecting the kingdom. Eduardo, in turn, found himself in awe of Angela’s creative spirit and the enchanting beauty she could craft with a mere flick of her vines.

However, their love was strictly forbidden by the ancient decrees of the Bean Kingdom. Traditions dictated that bean varieties must remain segregated, ensuring the purity of their lineages. Relationships between different bean types were considered an unforgivable transgression, punishable by exile from the kingdom.

As word of their secret trysts spread, outrage rippled through the ruling council of elders. The wise Lentil scholars warned of the calamities that could befall the realm if such unions were allowed to persist, foretelling a future where the very magic that sustained the Bean Kingdom would be imperiled.

King Kidney Bean found himself torn between upholding the sacred laws and respecting the undeniable bond that had formed between Angela and Eduardo. He sought counsel from his most trusted advisors, but their opinions were divided, reflecting the deep-rooted prejudices that had taken root over centuries.

Eduardo and Angela, with their strong sense of duty and respect discussed at length how their actions affect the Bean Kingdom. The reverberations of their forbidden love would echo through the kingdom for years to come, and potentially confront the prejudices of these antiquated traditions.

And so, hand in hand, on morning they headed to the palace. The guards eyed them suspiciously, but Angela’s light and comfortable humming softened their resolve. They found themselves standing before the throne, where King Kidney Bean sat, his expression stern.

“Your Majesties,” Angela began, her voice steady, “we come not as rebels, but as lovers. Our hearts beat as one, regardless of our bean varieties. We ask for your understanding, your wisdom.”

The council of elders shifted uncomfortably, their beady eyes fixed on the couple. King Kidney Bean leaned forward, his gaze piercing.

“Angela, Eduardo,” he said, “you challenge the very fabric of our existence. But perhaps it’s time we reevaluate our traditions. Love, after all, is the essence of life.”

The Lentil scholars exchanged glances. “But the magic,” one of them protested. “The delicate balance—”

“Magic,” Angela said, “is not confined to bloodlines. It flows through all of us, regardless of our outer shells. Our love can strengthen the kingdom, not weaken it.”

King Kidney Bean sighed. “Very well. We shall convene a Great Bean Assembly. Let the voices of all beans be heard.”

And so, the assembly gathered—the Pinto Beans, the Black-Eyed Peas, the Chickpeas, and more. Angela and Eduardo stood before them, their hearts pounding.

“Beans of all kinds,” Angela declared, “we ask for change. Let love unite us, not divide us. Let our kingdom be a place where vines of different colors intertwine.”

The murmurs grew louder, and then, unexpectedly, a young Lima Bean stepped forward. “I, too, love beyond my variety,” she said. “Let us rewrite our story.”

The Great Bean Assembly erupted in applause. King Kidney Bean raised his scepter.

“From this day forth,” he proclaimed, “love shall be our guiding light. Angela and Eduardo, you’ve shown us the way.”

And so, the Bean Kingdom flourished. Angela’s melodies blended with Eduardo’s courage, creating a harmony that resonated across the land. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, Angela and Eduardo danced under the stars, their vines entwined, their love forever etched in the records an history of the Bean Kingdom. The forbidden love became a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to come.


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