The story wouldn’t be complete without spies, monsters, betrayals, hair's-breadth escapes, spells to be broken and all the usual accoutrements.
That is the classic fantasy tale written by James Thurber that is part of the Chemainus Theatre's most recent playwright pairing series.
The story written in 1950 by Thurber, a former writer/editor of the New Yorker, will be presented as a stage reading by the theatre's current cast from It's a Wonderful Life as well as folks from the community.
"When an evil Duke captures a beautiful princess, her beloved prince must find 1,000 jewels and unfreeze 13 clocks that the duke has stopped," reads promotional material. "If he fails, the prince will be devoured by the invisible Todal.
"With the help of a fumbling sprite named Golux and an old woman whose tears turn to gems, the prince frees the princess, leaving the evil duke to the terrible Todal.
"It all makes for a stimulating concoction of adventure, humour and satire that defies the conventional."
As one of American's most celebrated humorists, Thurber showcased his wonderful wit and literary skill in both essays and cartoons.
"He is especially renowned for his skillful wordplay, which is in full evidence in The 13 Clocks," states promo material.
Thurber's work spans genres, including autobiography, fiction, plays, children's fantasy, and modern commentary.
Two of his short stories, "The Catbird Seat" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," are among the best-known classics of American literature.
This special reading is being presented at the Chemainus Theatre Festival Dec. 27 at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at chemainustheatre.ca, or by calling the box office at 1-800-565-7738.