by Shirley Scurlock

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2008

The Littlest Knight

Overcoming Disabilities

The odor of time worn treasures lingered in the air of Cartingham Castle as Duane walked through the entrance way toward the king's chamber. The ceilings seemed to be as high as the sky and the floors were made of the finest cedar; there were strong warriors armed with spear and bow lining the walls toward the king's chamber and the long isle seemed endless. At the end of the red carpeted hallway sat a white linen covered table - displaying the armor of the king's champion. The sight of his Armor, thereon that table, glittering in the sunlight filled his heart with awe. One timy window allowed one ray of sunlight to burst through and highlight his fathers armor.

Memories of his father, and his stories of all the great knights that came before him flooded his mind. Every king's champion stood here in front of this table. Soon he will be called before the king, and they will dress him in all his fine armor!Like a movie he played back the first time he climbed onto a horse. He lost his footing and fell to the ground. The young man wouldn't give up though. He grabbed hold of the stirrups and pulled himself to his feet. Grabbing the horse's mane with one hand and the saddle with the other, Duane dragged his broken body to the saddle. Duane's lame leg and weak arm couldn't stop him unless he gave up, and he wasn't going to!

The townsmen were sure he'd come to an untimely death. The dark headed boy was slender and weak. He walked with a definite limp and an arm that was numb and hard to use! The fact that his father and brothers were knights before him was merely an accident of birth. No one in this city expected him to walk in their footsteps.

The town searched far and wide for someone to defeat the troll, but their search was futile! No one in his right mind would go out to that battle. Everyone could hear the sound of screaming men throughout the woods! The swamp became the tomb of everyone who dared an attempt. The swamp smelled like death, especially on very hot days. The stench invaded the air, smelling like petrified flesh! It was dark and mossy- drowning in weeds and withered trees! In the morning the sun could barely shine through, because the dark forest blocked the light of day. So many of the young people Duane grew up with were leaving town. There was no hope of saving the town or it's people.

The city folks couldn't trust anyone different or disabled. No one wanted to encourage him in his dreams of knighthood except

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