Book excerpt: -- Star maids, serpent-gods, dragons, and kings have captivated the imagination from beginning of time. And whether it is the word of classical Greek mythology, the rich folklore of King Arthur and Robin Hood, or the mythical offerings of the Native Americans, traditional stories hold the key to unlocking the magic and the mystery of the past. -- Gathered together in this volume are more than fifty spellbinding tales of ancient wonder from over twenty cultures, reflecting the full range of human experience.