Breaking free

Once upon a time in a big gray castle lived a boy and his brother and his father. The boy was tall and strong. His brother and father were shorter and stronger. When they went hunting, they left him at home to study. He didn't like that very much.
One day, Sammy, because that was his name, got tired of staying home. He was strong enough, he thought. He could even take care of himself, he thought. So he waited until his brother and father went hunting again, and he left.
For the first few days, Sammy was right. He was strong enough. He could take care of himself. He walked for miles and miles, farther and farther from home. He didn't have to study anymore. He got to hunt.
But then, Sammy got tired. He got cold. He got hungry. By himself, he wasn't very good at hunting.
So when he saw a city and another castle from the top of a dry hill, he was glad.
Sammy walked through the gates of the city and saw a parade. The carriages were shiny, the horses were groomed, the robes were colorful, and the princes . . . they were beautiful. One was short like Sammy's brother and father. The other was shorter.
Sammy looked at the princes, then looked at himself. He was dirty, his shirt was shredded, and his hair was greasy. He was ashamed.
Sammy left the city and started to walk home. His brother and father met him not far from the gates, yelled at him for awhile, then tossed him on a horse.
He knew he had to go home. He also knew that he was coming back.
He hoped the prince would wait.