Fiammetto marched into the village square, his tin sword held high and his red hair bouncing. "Today I rescue someone!" he announced.
He marched up to the baker, his sword still raised. "What needs rescuing?" asked the baker, dusting flour from his apron. Fiammetto just adjusted his glasses and marched on.
A ginger cat was stuck in a tall apple tree. Fiammetto stared up, gripped his tin sword, and marched toward the trunk with purpose.
He tried climbing but slid right down the bark. Finding a long wooden pole, he tiptoed and stretched it toward the cat. The cat bats it, then scrambles onto Fiammetto's shoulders.
The cat purred loudly. Fiammetto grinned, showing his missing front tooth, and marched toward the castle with his new friend clinging to him.
The mayor's golden crown had rolled into the castle moat. Fiammetto pointed his sword at the water and marched to the edge. He tried hooking the crown with his pole but missed.
He peered through his foggy glasses. A tiny golden glint winked up at him from the bottom. Fiammetto took a deep breath.
With one mighty leap — SPLASH! — he tumbled into the moat. He came up sputtering, water dripping from his glasses and his red hair plastered to his forehead.
He dove back down and grabbed the crown. Popping up with arms raised, he held the golden crown triumphantly above his head.
He handed the dripping crown to the mayor. The mayor placed it on his head and laughed so hard his belly wobbled. The village cheered for their little knight.