Echoflame and the Spoken Truth: Book 20 (Painted Path Series)

A whisper can start a fire. A truth can save a world.

In Echoflame and the Spoken Truth, the twentieth entry in the acclaimed Painted Path series, author Trudy Myrland takes readers on a heart-stirring journey of courage, friendship, and the transformative power of truth—told through the eyes of a quiet boy and the fiery little horse that won’t stop talking.

Eight-year-old Toby would rather hide behind his sleeve than speak his mind. The youngest in a house full of loud voices and stronger wills, he’s learned that staying silent keeps the peace. But when his summer is upended by a visit to the distant Painted Path—an ancient stretch of enchanted land whispered about in family stories—Toby’s quiet world is forever changed.

There, he meets Echoflame, a rare Falabella with a coat like burned gold and a voice sharp as a cracked bell. Yes, voice. Because Echoflame talks. And he has a lot to say. Witty, wise, and just a little bit too much, the tiny buckskin horse quickly reveals that he’s more than just a magical oddity—he’s a keeper of secrets, a teller of truths, and a guide for those brave enough to listen.

But the Painted Path is in danger. A long-buried secret has begun to unravel, poisoning the trust that binds the land together. Strange silences are settling over the forest. Stories once shared have started to vanish. And only one voice, one true voice, can call the truth back to life.

With Echoflame at his side—and often far ahead of him—Toby is swept into a race against silence itself. But learning to speak up isn’t easy, especially when the truth could hurt people he loves. Echoflame insists that bravery doesn’t always roar… sometimes it clears its throat and dares to be heard.

Set against a vivid backdrop of twilight meadows, whispering trees, and flame-kissed skies, Echoflame and the Spoken Truth explores the fragile beauty of honesty, the cost of silence, and the hidden strength within the timid. With every step along the Painted Path, Toby discovers that truth isn’t just something you tell—it’s something you choose.

This book blends the whimsy of talking animals with the grounded emotional depth of a child learning to trust his own voice. Parents, teachers, and young readers alike will find inspiration and heart in Toby’s quiet courage and Echoflame’s blazing wisdom.

Perfect for fans of heartfelt adventure, magical realism, and character-driven tales of personal growth, Echoflame and the Spoken Truth is a luminous, unforgettable chapter in the Painted Path saga. Sometimes, the smallest horse can light the greatest fire—and sometimes, the softest voice can speak the loudest truth.