THE STONE IN THE ROAD

by Stephen Seskin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1968

A tourist attraction! That's what the Baron suggests to help the failing economy. He supplies the story to make The Stone in the Road a source of amusement: if the robber who took the villagers' gold was changed into a stone by lightning, then the gold should be under the rock. Golddiggers pour into the village but no one is able to budge the obstacle . . . until an old ditchdigger with absolute confidence works twelve hours digging around the stone (he has a plan), gives it a shove and topples it. He finds the coveted leather bag, which now rightfully belongs to him--and hands it over to the Baron. The nobleman ogles the laborer who insists he wants only a day's pay for a day's work; the only additional payment he will accept--the Baron's boots. ""How much is possible when an honest man sets out to do his work as best as he knows how. . . . Perhaps that's the best kind of miracle."" An entertaining counterpoint of medieval ambience, modern vision and timeless vitality, and the vigorous telling avoids overmoralizing.

Pub Date: April 1, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Van Nostrand

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION