A tale steeped in Arthurian legend and a young girl's personal journey. The story centers on Bunty, a girl who is nearly blind, following an accident. Retreating from the world and struggling to cope with her limited sight, her life takes a fantastical turn when she and her grandfather visit the seaside town of Tintagel, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. While exploring a dark cave on the coast, Bunty stumbles—literally—upon the famous, mythical sword Excalibur. This chance encounter thrusts her into a world where legend meets reality. Bunty is soon convinced that the once and future King Arthur, who is prophesied to return in England's time of greatest need, is about to reawaken. The novel cleverly interweaves the ancient, epic saga of Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table with Bunty’s contemporary, personal struggle. As she grapples with the possibility of a king's return, she also finds the courage to face her own disability and the challenges of her life. Morpurgo creates an inspiring story that speaks to the power of belief, the endurance of myth, and the idea that true heroism and vision are not dependent on physical sight, but on courage and spirit.
