In a bright Kingdom, a little Knight named Emilio woke up early. He wore a small shiny helmet. He was brave, but also gentle. He liked to help.
“Good morning,” Emilio said.
His Horse came close. The Horse was smart and calm. It liked to listen. It also loved crunchy apples.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Emilio patted the Horse. “We will ride today.”
In the big castle yard, the flags were droopy. The flowers looked dull.
Emilio frowned. “Where are the colors?”
A guard whispered, “Sun Knight took them. He put them in a golden box. Now the Kingdom looks sleepy.”
Emilio held his little shield. “We will bring them back.”
The Horse snorted like it agreed. “Hrrr.”
They went through the gate. They passed a stone bridge. They passed a quiet pond. The water looked gray.
Emilio said, “Hello, pond. We will help.”
The Horse walked slow. “Clip… clop… clip…”
Soon they saw Sun Knight on a hill. His armor was bright like noon. He stood by a tall stack of rocks. On top sat a golden box.
Sun Knight said, “These colors are mine. I like them. I keep them.”
Emilio did not shout. Emilio did not cry. He took a deep breath.
Emilio said, “Colors are for everyone. Red for apples. Blue for sky. Green for grass.”
Sun Knight crossed his arms. “No.”
The Horse stepped forward and bowed its head. It was polite, but firm.
Emilio had an idea. He was a Knight. Knights can be kind.
Emilio opened his small pouch. Inside was one sweet apple.
“Horse,” Emilio said softly, “one bite?”
The Horse shook its head. It pushed the apple toward Sun Knight.
Sun Knight blinked. “For me?”
Emilio nodded. “Yes. A gift. Because you look lonely up here.”
Sun Knight took a bite. Crunch.
He paused. His face looked less hard.
Emilio said, “Come with us. You can hold the box, but please open it in the Kingdom. We will share.”
Sun Knight looked at the golden box. He looked at the gray pond below. He looked at Emilio’s calm eyes.
Sun Knight whispered, “I wanted everyone to notice me.”
Emilio said, “We notice you. But we also need colors.”
Sun Knight slowly opened the golden box.
Whoosh!
Out flew little ribbons of color: red, yellow, blue, green, pink. They danced like tiny birds.
The sky turned bright. The pond turned sparkly. The flags lifted and waved.
Back in the castle yard, people clapped. The flowers looked happy again.
The King gave Emilio a reward: a small treasure chest with a silver star badge inside.
“This is for a Knight who is brave and kind,” said the King.
Emilio pinned the badge on his cape. “Thank you.”
The Horse got a whole basket of apples. It stomped with joy.
Sun Knight stood nearby, not scary now.
Emilio said, “You can help us guard the colors.”
Sun Knight smiled. “I will.”
That night, the Kingdom glowed. Emilio and his Horse rode slowly home, clip-clop, clip-clop, with the new silver star shining safe and bright.