Morgel and the Community at Komstkochsteich (Episode 1 of the Tales of Morgel)

Image content: Tales of Morgel 1 - Morgel and the Community at the Komstkoch Pond - The cover image shows the Komstkoch Pond, surrounded by dense forest. The forest goblin Morgel and the fawn stand on the bank, gazing out over the water. Sparrows flutter in the sky.

Author: Jens K. Carl.
Illustrations: Jens K. Carl (AI-generated with the help of Microsoft Copilot Pro).
Recommended age: 3 years and up.

My thanks to:
Frank Schumann, the discoverer of Morgel.

Morgel and the Community at Komstkochsteich

An Unexpected Encounter

A cold early-summer morning. Veils of mist rise from Komstkochsteich. The first shafts of sunlight pierce the dense forest, painting playful patterns on the water. The air smells of damp, rotting wood. Birds trill merrily in dissonant chorus, and frogs croak at the top of their lungs in friendly competition.

Out of nowhere comes song and jaunty whistling, growing ever louder. A lanky youth in short bathing trunks and a pointed hat bursts from the woods, a large towel slung across his shoulder. In his hand he brandishes a stubby stick — his magic wand. Each time he steps barefoot on a dry twig or pinecone, his cheerful tune is cut short by a grumble and an emphatic “ouch!”

As he does every morning, he makes his way to the pond to swim his laps.

This little fellow is a forest goblin who calls himself Munk Orgu-Telas. For many a hundred years, Munk has made his home near the High Root.

Arriving at the water’s edge in high spirits, a sudden groan and splashing interrupt his joy. Munk has slipped in the slick mud and tumbled into the pond, leaving only his pointed hat bobbing on the surface.

Image content: Tales of Morgel 1 - Morgel and the Community at Komstkochsteich - A fawn, having strayed to Komstkochsteich in search of its mother, the doe Gertrud, caught sight of a pointed hat drifting atop the water. It couldn’t help but chuckle at the forest goblin’s misfortune.

Soaking wet and plastered from head to toe with pond plants and mud, the goblin grumbles loudly to himself: “Ouch, my backside! … Eyers-maners-duers, not again! It’s so slippery here … What a messy state. Bah! … Now, where on earth did my magic wand fly off to? … I must fetch it at once.”
Meanwhile, on the far side of the pond, a small, delicate fawn appears. Chasing a pretty, colourful butterfly, it has wandered this way and lost sight of its mother. And as sometimes happens, the fawn, in all its running and frolicking, completely forgot that it shouldn’t stray so far from her.
The fawn bursts into loud laughter, rolling with delight on the ground as it watches the little fellow arc through the air and splash into the water.

“What are you laughing at? You’d better watch out, or I’ll give you a proper ear-pull!” Munk mutters to himself as he scrabbles through the underbrush in search of his wand. “Ah! There it is!”
“You’re such a filthy creature,” the fawn calls to the goblin. “The way you tumbled in was absolutely hilarious.”
“And who might you be? I’ve never seen you here before. What’s your name?” Munk asks, peering through the leaves.
“Who? Me? What do you mean — what’s my name?” the fawn looks around, puzzled. “I’ve never been asked that before.”
“I’d like to know if you have one. … Mine is Munk Orgu-Telas, and I’m a forest goblin.”
The fawn rolls its eyes. “Seriously? Munk-or-what? I can’t even say that. My mommy always just calls me ‘Rehkitz.’”
“How creative—’Rehkitz,’” Munk chuckles. “Then your mother must be a Doe?”
“No! Mommy’s name is Gertrud,” the fawn replies briskly.

“You are quite the curious little thing. Where did you say you’re from again?”
“Oh, I haven’t the faintest idea. We’ve been wandering for ages, day in, day out. My legs ache something dreadful. Mother keeps saying we need to find ourselves a safe little spot — whatever that means,” the fawn replies.
“It’s very simple. It means your mother is deeply concerned and longs for nothing more than to see you grow up somewhere secure.”
“Is that a good thing?” the fawn wonders.
“Absolutely it is. Who wouldn’t want that?” Munk answers cheerfully. “Now, I think I’ll swim a few laps first.” …

Further chapters:

An Enchanted Root Cavern
It is for the Elders’ Council to decide
The Community Grows

End of the reading sample!

Purchase option for the English-language e-book:

One Comment:

Frank1962
2025-09-16 at 7:37 AM

“Morgel and the Community at Komstkochsteich” is an enchanting adventure that takes you straight into the heart of the Thuringian Forest. The very first scene at the misty pond’s edge captivates with vivid imagery and silly goblin chaos – you can practically feel the cool water and hear the cheerful croaking of the frogs. The encounter between the clumsy forest goblin Munk Orgu-Telas and the boisterous fawn sparkles with wit and will have children giggling with delight.

The true strength of this book lies in its warm-hearted message: In the community, different forest dwellers find each other, help each other overcome fears and loneliness, and celebrate the small miracles of togetherness. Jens K. Carl interweaves humor and magic with a gentle moral without ever resorting to kitsch. With its whimsical characters and loving, colorful illustrations, this picture book is a refreshing reading experience – highly recommended for young and old!