But I am very sure of this: that no one can write a book which children will like, unless he write it for himself first. That being so, I shall say boldly that this is a story for grown-ups. How grown-up I did not realise until I received a letter from an unknown reader a few weeks after its first publication; a letter which said that he was delighted with my clever satires of the Kaiser, Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith, but he could not be sure which of the characters were meant to be Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Bonar Law. Would I tell him on the enclosed postcard? I replied that they were thinly disguised on the title-page as Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton. In fact, it is not that sort of book. But, as you see, I am still finding it difficult to explain just what sort of book it is. Perhaps no explanation is necessary. Read in it what you like; read it to whomever you like; be of what age you like; it can only fall into one of two classes. Either you will enjoy it, or you won't. It is that sort of book. A. A. Milne. CONTENTS I.--The King of Euralia has a Visitor to Breakfast II.--The Chancellor of Barodia has a Long Walk Home III.--The King of Euralia Draws his Sword IV.--The Princess Hyacinth Leaves it to the Countess V.--Belvane Indulges her Hobby VI.--There are no Wizards in Barodia VII.--The Princess Receives a Letter and Writes One VIII.--Prince Udo Sleeps Badly IX.--They are Afraid of Udo X.--Charlotte Patacake Astonishes the Critics XI.--Watercress Seems to go with the Ears XII.--We Decide to Write to Udo's Father XIII.--"Pink" Rhymes with "Think" XIV.--"Why Can't you be like Wiggs?" XV.--There is a Lover Waiting for Hyacinth XVI.--Belvane Enjoys Herself XVII.--The King of Barodia Drops the Whisker Habit XVIII.--The Veteran of the Forest Entertains Two Very Young People XIX.--Udo Behaves Like a Gentleman XX.--Coronel Knows a Good Story when he Hears it XXI.--A Serpent Coming after Udo XXII.--The Seventeen Volumes go back Again ILLUSTRATIONS A Map of Euralia showing the Adjacent Country of Barodia and the far-distant Araby He was a Man of Simple Tastes "Most extraordinary," said the King He found the King nursing a Bent Whisker and in the very Vilest of Tempers "Try it on me," cried the Countess Five Times he had come back to give her his Last Instructions Armed to the Teeth, Amazon after Amazon marched by When the Respective Armies returned to Camp they found Their Majesties asleep The Rabbit was gone, and there was a Fairy in front of her As Evening fell they came to a Woodman's Cottage at the Foot of a High Hill "Coronel, here I am," said Udo pathetically, and he stepped out Twenty-one Minutes later Henrietta Crossbuns was acknowledging a Bag of Gold Princess Hyacinth gave a Shriek and faltered slowly backwards "Now we can talk," said Hyacinth He forgot his Manners, and made a Jump towards her She glided gracefully behind the Sundial in a Pretty Affectation of Alarm