The Squire and the White Dragon

by Grandpa Peeps

Overview

The Squire and the White Dragon is a bedtime story that "Grandpa Peeps" wrote specifically for his grandchildren. His friends encouraged him to publish this charming story so other children could enjoy the story as well. The tale takes place in Camelot, where Merlin and the King Arthur summon a young squire. Because of his cunning, Will the squire, is directed to rid the kingdom of the menacing White Dragon. Will sees his dreams of knighthood and a place at the Round Table as his possible reward and accepts the challenge. The story is written in verse. It is a masterful example for young readers and writers of verse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781456718725
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.06(d)

Read an Excerpt

The Squire and the White Dragon

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By Grandpa Peeps

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Grandpa Peeps
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-1872-5

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Chapter One

'Once Upon a Time,' in a faraway land,
There lived a young boy, 'bout to take a brave stand.
This small, wiry fellow, all plainly could see,
A Round Table Knight, he desired to be.

Merlin, the wizard, rescued Will, a wee lad.
He feared the boy's life was about to go bad.
He cared for the lad, like a son of his own.
Quite aware that Will's dream was well set in stone.

Will was a squire, in King Arthur's kingdom.
Knights worked him so hard he had little freedom.
Polished their armor, then mucked out the stables,
And in his spare time, Will waited on tables.

Dragon's been seen, causing Camelot unrest.
King Arthur's response was to, "Send out my best!"
Folks fled to the castle, their village in flame,
All those who survived said, "White dragon's to blame!"

Folks fled to the castle, their village in flame, All those who survived said, "White dragon's to blame!"

After deep thought, Merlin called, "Get the squire.
Might be our best chance, to put out the beast's fire."
Merlin's reluctant to send Will on this task.
Fear for his son's life, is not easy to mask.

"I summoned you son, 'cause you're cunning and smart.
I've seen how you barter, while at the food cart.
The king's knights are all gone. We don't know their fate.
You must stop this white beast, before it's too late."

"The dragon has stolen, the king's famous sword.
Now you must find it, in the beast's treasure horde.
T'would be great if you rid the world of this blight;
Could make you a knight, if you fix it just right."

The wizard instructs, "Keep my staff at your side.
You can't use its power, but might turn the tide."
Now he steps forward, puts a hand on Will's head.
Looks deep in Will's eyes, quite enough has been said.

"Go now." says King Arthur, "Slip out the back doors.
You'll find her cave, by the direction she soars.
Sneak up while she sleeps, steal my sword from her nest.
This worm is a mean one. Good luck on your quest."

The wizard instructs, "Keep my staff at your side. You can't use its power, but might turn the tide."

'This is my chance. No more work in the stable!
A place of my own, at Arthur's Round Table!
Imagine the ballads, they'll sing in my name.
Just have to avoid, being roasted by flame.'

Will thinks of a plan, as he enters the cave.
He's scared half to death, but he has to be brave.
Continuing deeper, by candle's dim light,
Will tries to stay calm, well aware of his plight.

Overwhelmed with the stench, of spoiled, rotten meat,
The deeper Will goes, it's made worse by the heat.
He steps over armor, and old broken shields,
What chance does he have, with the staff that he wields?

The plan he's thought up is both cunning and sly.
The legends all say, that a dragon can't lie.
With quickness and stealth, he sneaks past a white leg.
He ignores all the gold, heads straight for her egg.

Her eye follows Will. There's nothing she misses.
Before he gets far, her mouth slowly hisses.
Will freezes in place, the candlelight flickers.
While raising her head, the white dragon snickers.

Her eye follows Will. There's nothing she misses.

"Why'd they send such a boy? There's so little meat!
The last one was salty. Perhaps you'll be sweet."
Will quickly responds, trying hard to gain time,
"Might have been a fisherman, covered in brine."

Like a cat out hunting, just searching for fun,
The white dragon suggests, "Boy, why don't you run?"
Trying hard not to shake, Will asks, "Does it matter?
Still likely end up, a roast on your platter."

The dragon's amused. She asks, "Boy, what's your name?"
"I'll tell you mine," he says, "If you'll do the same."
"My name is Samantha," as she starts to preen,
"Named after my granny, the last dragon queen."

"I've heard tales of this queen, of conflict and strife,
I was called Rob," Will says, "early in life.
Now my friends call me Will, Rob sounds like a thief."
"That's my profession," hisses Sam through clenched teeth.

"My name honors William, a king from the past."
"I met that King William!" Sam says with a gasp.
"United the realm, conquered much of the land,
We all lived in peace, with his strong and just hand."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The Squire and the White Dragon by Grandpa Peeps Copyright © 2011 by Grandpa Peeps. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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