Robin, the son of Sir John de Bureford, has always expected to enter training to become a knight. His dreams are shattered, however, when he becomes ill while his father is away and the servants, fearing the plague, abandon him. Fortunately, a monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and cares for the boy. Robin has lost the use of his legs, though, and he knows that he will never become a knight, even if his father eventually does return.
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Under the care of Brother Luke, Robin does excel. Brother Luke teaches Robin the art of woodcarving, a practice that greatly increases Robin's ability to be patient. Also, once Robin has developed the ability to get around using crutches, Brother Luke begins to take Robin swimming each day and massage the boy's legs in the hope that they will eventually regain feeling and strength.
One day, Robin's friend John, who is a minstrel, offers to take Robin on a small trip south of Lindsey castle in order to give Robin a small reprieve from monastery life and to give him some exercise. Once they arrive, however, they discover that enemy forces have begun building up to attack and sack the castle. Because of Robin's small size and inconspicuousness, he is the only person who can sneak back into the castle and warn the king's forces. Thus, all of the skills acquired under the tutelage of Brother Luke are necessary for Robin to sneak through the enemy forces and cross the river in order to save the village and castle. Robin has the chance to become a heroic knight after all.
The review of this Book prepared by J.C. Pierce
