"The False Knight on the Road"

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Yolen, Jane 2003. “THE FALSE KNIGHT ON THE ROAD” in MIGHTER THAN THE SWORD. Ill. by Raul Colon. Orlando, Fl: Silver Whistle. ISBN 0152163913

PLOT SUMMARY
THE FALSE KNIGHT ON THE ROAD is a retelling of an English folktale, but also has roots in Scottish and Irish history as well. Yolen's retelling of the story begins with a young boy named Jack on his way to school where he meets a knight in glistening armor. When Jack comes up to the knight, the knight asks him questions and then begins to engage in riddles. The first question the knight asks is about Jack's lunch but then tells Jack, “I wish you were strung up on the tree”. Jack, at first frightened, soon realizes it's a riddles so he responds with, “And a stout ladder under me”. The knight and Jack go back in forth with riddles and slowly Jack begins to discover that the knight isn't really a knight but a creature that has a tail and hooves. Finally, the true nature of the knight is revealed when the knight says to Jack, “I wish you in Hell” and Jack responds “ And you in Heaven with God and his angels!” The knight is revealed as the devil, is engulfed in flames, and returns to Hell. The story ends with Jack arriving to school ahead of all his classmates and saying his prayers on his way home.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story, while being very short, makes very bold statements. There are many lessons that can be drawn from the short story. Jack outwits the devil with his intelligence by answering a series of riddles, riddles that he had mastered because he payed attention in school, which stresses the importance of being a good student. This is also a classic tale of the triumph of good over evil. This story also sends a message that even the unlikeliest of people can stand up to the devil, evil, or just to what is wrong. The story is great for children because it shows that with courage and intelligence they can stand up for what is right.
Raul Colon also offers a one page pen and ink illustration for the folktale. The illustration sets the tone for the story with the depiction of the knight in dark black armor. The knight's true nature is revealed in Colon's art with the knight hovering over the boy with his hand on his sword hilt showing his readiness to strike. The courage and goodness of Jack is beautifully represented with an open and honest face. Jack's stance is clearly a stance of one caught of guard, but the reader can easily see, Jack's expression is not fear, but a willingness to face the knight.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

PUBLISHER WEEKLY review: “ These heroes win with their wits and hearts, not with weapons.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Her versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point.”

CONNECTIONS
This story would be excellent for older readers maybe 8 years and older, but maybe too frightening for younger audiences. This story could also show children why it's important to stay away from strangers.
Other stories where featuring young boys as brave and intelligent are featured in Jane Yolen's collection of stories.
Yolen, Jane. MIGHTER THAN THE SWORD. ISBN 0152163913