Description

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What does it take to be a hero? Massive strength? Incredible height? Infinite power? Not necessarily. Often, it's quick wit, a courageous heart, or unselfishness that evokes the hero inside of us. Even when we are simply reading about the valiant acts in these stories, we can feel our own inner hero rising to the occasion, echoing that need we all have to be better human beings. The heroes in these tales emerge from all over the world, including: Switzerland ("William Tell"), Japan ("Lord Bag of Rice"), South America ("Josesito the Brave"), and Rumania ("Stan Bolovan and the Dragon").

About the Author

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Pleasant DeSpain Bio: Pleasant DeSpain has a most unusual but true name and an equally unusual but true profession - writer and storyteller. He travels the world collecting, researching, writing and retelling traditional tales from native cultures. Born in Colorado, he wrote his first original story at age eight. It was published as "The Mystery Artist" in 1996. Pleasant taught speech-literature-drama for six years at three universities, and wrote-produced-hosted an award-winning TV show called "Pleasant Journeys" on KING TV, Seattle. Now, the author of eighteen award-winning, multicultural story collections and picture books, published by August House, has a home in Troy, NY and frequently travels to spend extended periods of time in Thailand. Pleasant continues to travel the world having amazing adventures. While living in Thailand he has continued to collect more stories and is working on a new book.