2 The Book of Bbeasts

Chapter 2 The Book of Beasts The book was set with jewels. For a second gleaming gold letters on the cover declared The Book of Beasts. Then they vanished. "Especially not that one," said the Prime Minister.

But the book looked so inviting, Leo couldn't help opening it. On the first page he saw a beautifully painted butterfly. "That's lovely!" said Leo. As he spoke, the butterfly fluttered its red and yellow wings and flew out of the book.

"It's magic!" gasped the Chancellor. Leo turned to the next page and found a bluebird. With a gentle flap of his wings, the bird flew from the page. "Enough!" shouted the Prime Minister.

You're a very naughty king!

"Just suppose the next creature had been a poisonous snake or a rampaging wolf," said the Chancellor, "and you'd set it free." Leo blushed. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

That night in bed Leo couldn't stop thinking about the book. "I have to look at it again," he thought and he crept down to the library in the moonlight.