Norman and Dennis: The Adventures Begin

Chapter One

Once upon a time in the land of fairy tales, a gentle, end-of-spring breeze wafted through the trees. To a young man named Norman, this was the most glorious day that would ever be, for he was about to become a knight. Him--a knight! Protector of the weak! Rescuer of distressed damsels! And, most importantly, Slayer of Dragons! Norman was so lost in his daydreaming that he barely remembered to move forward in line. Suddenly, he was kneeling before the king, who touched his great sword to Norman's shoulders, proclaiming him a knight, sworn to uphold the laws of the kingdom. Then the king spoke.

"It is customary for the new knights to set themselves a task, or quest, to prove their worth," the king said. "What task have you set yourself?"

Every eye was on Norman. Nervous and stammering, he blurted out, "I-I intend to slay the f-f-fiercest d-dragon in the kingdom, your majesty!"

The king smiled good-naturedly at the young knight's brashness, and told Norman that he should probably get a good night's rest first. Norman agreed, and was then excused to attend the feast being held in honor of the young men being knighted.

The next morning Norman was up early, packing his saddlebags for what he suspected would be a very long journey. As he placed his saddlebags on his horse's back, daydreaming about his future adventures, his mother, Maria, stepped into the stable. She was carrying a bundle in her arms and was slightly red-eyed, as if she'd been crying. Maria smiled at her son, though, handing him the bundle.

Norman took it from her. "What's this?" he asked, untying the strings holding it shut.

"Oh, just some going away presents and some food--nothing much," Maria said.

Norman pulled out a beautifully crocheted scarf in his favorite forest green color and said, "Mother, it's beautiful! But it's just the beginning of summer. Why would I need a scarf?"

His mother answered, "Because you never know when you might need it. You never know for sure how long you'll be gone. And because I love you. But that's not all I packed, keep looking!"

Norman continued to unpack the bundle, pulling out a wonderfully worked tinderbox that had belonged to his father, who had died two years before. There were also several changes of clothes, all made by Maria (Norman protested that he had, in fact remembered to pack clothing, but his mother only smiled), some freshly baked bread, a large wedge of cheese, some dried meat, and half a dozen apples. At the very bottom of the bundle, Norman discovered a carved wooden flute, belonging to his mother, and a small money bag.

"Mother, why are you sending your flute with me? You love to play it! And where did this money come from?"

Maria replied, "Yes, I do enjoy playing the flute, but so do you, and I wanted you to have something of mine to remind you of home. As for the money, I've been saving a little at a time since you started your training. It isn't much, I know, but you will need money occasionally."

"Thank you, Mother. I'll think of you every time I play it. And I'll be careful with the money. I love you." With that, Norman hugged his mother and continued packing his saddlebags, filling them with the gifts she had brought him. When he finished, he realized that the bundle itself was a gift--it was a new woolen cloak. Tying the cloak with his bedroll behind the saddle, Norman belted on his sword and led the horse into the stableyard. He swung up on his horse's back and looked down at his mother, who was smiling up at him, though her eyes were suspiciously bright.

"Don't cry, Mother. I'll be home before you know it," Norman told her. With that, he rode out through the gate and onto the road, heading east, toward the rising sun and adventure.