Description

Like Demi's bestseller The Empty Pot, you'll love the beautifully crafted fable The King's Highway.

The well-known fable The King's Highway has inspired readers for generations. In this new retelling artist Howard Fullmer makes it his own through his stunning, full-color illustrations and revised text. Readers will discover the story of a king who must choose an heir to the throne. The king announces that whoever best travels his highway to the castle will be crowned the new king. But a pile of rubble on the king's highway is blocking passage. Watching the splendid parade of wealthy travelers pass a young man begins to clear the blocked highway. In so doing, he uncovers an object that will make him the new ruler of the land.

"I am sorry it is so late, Your Majesty," whispered Michael, his voice trembling. "I found this while traveling. No one was left to return it so I have come." Then, carefully unwrapping his bundle, he revealed the king's ring for all to see. Taking the ring in his hand, the wise king looked first at it, then a Michael. "This ring is not mine," he said.

"But it must be yours, Your Majesty," said the boy. "It bears your crest."

"Yes, it does bear the crest of royalty," said the king, "but the ring now belongs to you. I proclaimed that he who best traveled the highway would become the new king. By clearing the road so that all could travel, you showed that it is not fine clothing, fancy horses, or even great wealth that make a king. It is serving others that one becomes great."