In the days of King Krakus, long ago, Krakow was a very small town indeed. The rooster announced the coming of the day, the watchman called the hour, and the king sat down to his breakfast of soup and dumplings. "There was no finer life in the whole world" until...

One midnight, a frightful monster arrived. He was a thousand meters long, devoured everything in sight, and claimed he should be king.

Though many tried before him, including the king himself, it was Dratevka, the shoemaker's apprentice, who by a clever trick was able to kill the dragon.

Janina Domanska has found her inspiration in Polish folklore and folk art, and her gorgeous illustrations are the perfect complement to this favorite legend.

From the dust jacket