Page 42 - Storytime - Issue 32 (April 2017)
P. 42
When the curious quintet reached The princess huffed away with her
the city square, the first thing they courtiers, refusing to speak to him.
saw was a proclamation from the
king challenging people to race his But, later that night, the princess sent
daughter, who was as fast as the a note to Moscione, apologising for
wind. The person who could beat her being rude. With it was a jewelled
would win her hand in marriage! ring. Moscione put it on to admire it
and fell to the ground in agony.
Moscione put his name down for a
Quick-Ear put his ear to the ground.
race, and the time and place were
“I can hear the princess talking to the
set for the following morning in the
king. The jewel in the ring has been
city square.
bewitched! Help!”
But the next day, Moscione sent a
Shoot-Straight leapt up, grabbed her
messenger to the palace to say that
bow and shot an arrow straight at the
he was ill and a friend would run on
ring on Moscione’s writhing hand. It
his behalf. The princess greeted the
hit the jewel, which shattered into a
news with a shrug. “It doesn’t matter
thousand pieces. Moscione instantly
to me who I race. I’ll win,” she said.
felt better, and thanked his friends.
When it was time for the challenge,
When he appeared at the palace
the princess stood beside Lightning,
the following morning, the princess
preparing for victory. A trumpet tooted
was horrified to see him, and the
and the race began! The pair shot
king was not amused.
off around the great square, their
feet barely making contact with the “Thank you for your kind letter and
ground. They were a blur to all who the gift,” said Moscione. “I have come
were watching, but it was Lightning for my prize now.”
who crossed the line first!
The princess whispered frantically in
The crowd roared with delight, but the her father’s ear and the king nervously
princess wasn’t pleased, especially cleared his throat.
when Moscione stepped forward and
bowed before her. “How would you feel if we changed
the prize?” he said. “Instead of
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