A timely parable tells the story of a powerful General of the biggest nation who invades and takes over all the smaller countries around him, until there is only one small country left—almost too small to be of consequence. When the General sends his soldiers there, the country offers no resistance. Instead, it welcomes the soldiers, who eventually become completely assimilated. The furious General calls his soldiers back and sends out fresh troops, but the same thing happens again. Each time, the soldiers bring back songs, food, and customs from the small country, until even the General himself is fully assimilated, albeit unknowingly. David McKee’s vivid colored-pencil illustrations are composed of primary colors and simple shapes that give a childlike feel to the art. (Ages 3–7)

There once was a large country that was ruled by a General. The General would take his army and attack all the countries around him until they were conquered. Eventually, there was only one small country left to conquer. However, this one did not resist but welcomed the soldiers - leading to a quite unexpected result!