'The 13 Clocks'

There's nothing deep (or overtly deep) or complicated about James Thurber's fantasy stories.

Duke is due to marry the princess on her 21st birthday. The prince -- disguised as a minstrel strolls into town. He's given the seemingly impossible task of finding 1,000 jewels and starting all 13 clocks in the castle.

It's easy when there's a lady who cries jewels. And when the princess is the key to starting the clocks.

It's a rich, entertaining stories. Take the story and add Thurber's sing-song prose-poetry and the beautiful illustrations included in the edition I was able to read.