Once Upon a Time
- Despereaux's older brother, Furlough, tries to teach him how to scurry so that he can move around the castle quickly and unseen.
- But Despereaux catches sight of a stained glass window and just stands there in awe, asking his brother if they're in heaven.
- His sister, Merlot, tries to show him how to nibble paper. She takes him to a book and tells him which parts are yummy, but when Despereaux looks down at the page, something crazy happens—he's able to read the words! He can see "Once upon a time…"
- He tells Merlot that he can't possibly eat the pages because it will ruin the story, and she's totally disappointed in him. He's just terrible at being a mouse.
- After she leaves, Despereaux turns to the page and starts reading the story. It's about a brave knight and a beautiful princess.
- Although Despereaux doesn't know it at the time, he's going to be brave too, just like that knight. And he's going to have a run-in with the mean big rats that live in the castle's basement. It's part of his destiny.