John Gardner's classic fairy-tale collection depicts a world where anything can happen--and often does A humble thistle girl, a wise old philosopher, a hapless woodchopper, and an unscrupulous king--these are the vivid protagonists of Gardner's masterful book for children. Richly and humorously drawn, they face challenges at every turn. And in a realm where any one of these unconventional heroes might triumph, the reader will delight in expecting the unexpected!   Inventive and illustrative, entertaining and edifying, these four stories demonstrate the quirky challenges of distinguishing between good and evil and living happily ever after.