Prologue Summary

In this classic children's book, translated from the original German by Ralph Manheim, young Bastian Balthazar Bux comes of age through a series of adventures in the make-believe land of Fantastica. As the tale begins, young Bastian takes refuge from the torments of his classmates in an Old Books store belonging to Carl Conrad Coreander. Bastian, a fat little boy, ten or twelve years old, is greeted by the irritable Mr. Coreander. When Mr. Coreander asks him why the other children tease him, Bastian admits it is because he likes to make up stories. Often, Bastian tells these stories aloud to himself because no one else would be interested in hearing them. When the ringing telephone distracts Mr. Coreander for a few moments, Bastian sneaks a peek at the book Mr. Coreander has just left off reading. It is bound with copper silk...