As a matter of fact, the kingdom had never known such commercial success. Nothing was left of anything resembling a sword or building material, or a wagon to hold it, or an animal to pull it, and there was not a drop of liquid left in all the kingdom but ordinary water.

　　What was left were sacks and sacks and sacks of money piled everywhere. And did this do any good? No. The knights for all their effort and all their supplies couldn't defeat the dragon and now the countryside was strewn with debris and the kingdom was a mess.

　　Only the little blacksmith's heart was full of hope for he finally had a chance to win the hand of the Princess. He fashioned a suit of armor and a sword out of old tin cups and scrap metal, mounted his pony and rode to court. Bowing before the King, he said, "I wish to be knighted so that I may rid your kingdom of this horrible monster."

　　There was a moment of silence, then everyone but the Princess began to laugh. In fact, they laughed and they laughed, which made the little blacksmith's ears turn red. The King said, "You are no match for this dragon. It takes might to fight. You are simply too small."

　　The little blacksmith squared his shoulders. "I may be slight but I can fight."

　　The Princess was impressed. It was clear to her he was brave and good. "Father, for my s

　　ake, knight him this day. You promised 'whosoever should slay the dragon,' and surely he deserves a chance."

　　The King couldn't refuse his only daughter. He rose from his throne and knighted the blacksmith. Then, for luck, the Princess unwound her long braid, pulled out a single hair and handed it to the littlest knight. He placed it in a pocket over his heart. "May you have good fortune, my brave knight," she said.

　　So the littlest knight set out on his pony to find the dragon. He met many tired and injured knights and one helpful fellow told him, "Go back. One man can't carry 1,000 swords, nor can you cross a bridge which isn't there, and if you fill an empty cup it won't be empty any more. It is all a trick." He thought the littlest knight was the biggest fool.

　　The littlest knight had been traveling half a day when he came upon an object in the road beneath a tree. It was a beehive. Being a kind soul he picked it up to put it back in the tree. Suddenly he heard a tiny, buzzing voice.

　　We see you have kind intentions,

　　But please don't put us back.

　　Every knight who's seen us here,

　　Raised his sword and gave a whack.

　　Carry us elsewhere, we pray,

　　And we'll return the favor one day.

　　"OK," said the littlest knight and carefully tied the beehive to his saddle.

　　It was shortly after that he found the dragon or rather it found him. It landed nearby to look him over, and said,

　　Pfft, why you're nothing but a pea,

　　Who doesn't reach my knee.

　　Go home and grow some more.

　　Fighting you would be a bore.