Perspiciatis vel ipsum pariatur nihil.

3.5 - didn't like the beginning of the book and ultimately thought it wasn't even needed for the story but the rest of the book sailed along nicely. The moral of the book is something big in our lives anyway so this was right up our alley. I've urged Julia many times to think of others before herself, to go out of her way for someone else, to give up what she has for someone who doesn't have much. She's beginning to do small things on her own, which at 5 years old is awesome, but we can all use help with that sort of thing if you ask me. So I was pleased with the meaning in this Stephen's Feast. After the short beginning that I didn't care for (Julia seemed to be okay with it), Stephen goes to talk to the King after being summoned. The King points out a man walking in the courtyard to Stephen, asks who he is and after Stephen tells him it's a poor man the King tells him to get ready, that they're going to give him a surprise. Stephen grumbles the whole time he's getting ready, this isn't how he planned on spending the day, why can't someone else go, etc. He grabs his most prized possession, his hunting knife, on the way out. Stephen and the King, by themselves trudge through knee high snow, in a storm, the King carrying a giant bag and Stephen pulling a sled. The King has to give Stephen some nudging along the way when he starts to get overwhelmed and they press on. When they arrive at the poor mans house everything is very laidback and relaxed. The family doesn't recognize the King as he isn't acting very Kingly (or is he?) and they all sit down to a meal together. In the midst of all of this Stephen catches the oldest boy looking at his hunting knife. After they've eaten all they wanted, chatted and relaxed the King and Stephen take their leave but... before Stephen gets too far into the woods he sneaks back to the little cottage and lays his prized hunting knife next to the sleeping boy. Any adult could have seen what was coming a mile away of course