The Black Cauldron

**PROLOGUE** Long ago in the kingdom of Prydain, a terrible war raged over the land. A young boy named Taran learned an awful thing from his magical pig, Hen Wen. The evil Horned King was looking for the Black Cauldron—a weapon that could destroy all of Prydain. Hen Wen knew where the Black Cauldron was hidden. To prevent the cruel king from finding the Cauldron, Taran decided he must hide Hen Wen in the Forbidden Forest, then destroy the Black Cauldron himself. On the way to the forest he lost Hen Wen, but found some new companions—the lovely princess Eilonwy, the harp-toting Fflewddur Fflam, and a fuzzy little beast known as Gurgi. The four new friends had many adventures, but no success as they searched for Hen Wen and the Cauldron. Just when it seemed that they'd never find it, and that Hen Wen had vanished forever, Gurgi gave a happy cry and raced ahead. . . .