Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom

When the kingdom’s treasure chest is drained, the fairy realm finds itself without any food supplies. Consequently, King Thistle must seek employment to generate sufficient funds to remunerate the kingdom’s elves for their services and stave off famine throughout the realm.

Hard Times is a programme presented in the form of an episode. It falls under the genre of a standalone episode, offering a concise narrative rather than a full‑length series. The format is straightforward, delivering a self‑contained story that can be watched in a single sitting. The central storyline follows the fairy kingdom after its stores of food run out because the kingdom’s treasure chest has been completely emptied. With no provisions left, the realm faces a pressing crisis. King Thistle, the monarch of the land, is left with no choice but to look for employment himself so he can gather enough money to pay the elves for the work they do on the kingdom’s behalf. Because the treasure chest is bare, the king’s usual source of income has vanished, forcing him into the unfamiliar position of a job‑seeker. His aim is clear: to earn sufficient funds to settle the elves’ wages, ensuring that the magical workers can continue providing their services to the kingdom. The episode tracks his attempts to raise the necessary capital while the kingdom remains without food. In the end, the narrative hinges on King Thistle’s determination to secure the elves’ payment despite the dire circumstances caused by the empty chest. The plot underscores how the lack of treasure directly translates into a shortage of sustenance, compelling the ruler to take on work he would never have imagined doing.