KNIGHT AND BEAST
written and illustrated by
Elizabeth O Dulemba
Cover
Endpapers
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Title Page
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When you're the youngest prince, you tend to get the leftovers when it comes to gallant steeds.
And you don't get invited on quests.
And when a dragon moves in and eats all the apples from everybody's apple trees…
guess who the villagers complain to? Yup, the youngest prince – the one left behind.
"We can't make applesauce! We can't make pie! Where's my cider?"
Sometimes, when you're the only one around, you have to take care of things yourself – like a pesky beast.
It can be an overwhelming prospect.
When you're the youngest prince, you might look to your elders for advice.
Charge the beast with a sword!
Throw rocks at it with a trebuchet!
But being the youngest prince means you know what it feels like to get picked on.
You don't like to do it to others.
And you get used to hiding, which makes you not so afraid of the dark.
Being the youngest prince can be lonely, so you can get used to doing things your own way.
[illo note: creeps into cave and presents dragon with a bag of marshmallows]
And you can make friends with the most unlikely beasts. [illo note: they roast the marshmallows]
You also tend to be very clever. "I'll keep bringing you marshmallows, if you stop eating all the apples. Deal?"
"Grunt." (translation: Deal)
Sometimes, when you're the youngest prince, things turn out better than you expect.
[Final illustration: Flying after brothers on their steeds – they haven't seen him yet.]
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Comparable title: Paper bag Princess
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