The Griffin and the Minor Canon

... The last of all the griffins ..., on hearing there is an image of his likeness over an old church door in a far-off country, decided to make the journey to inspect it, for he has never seen another griffin and wants to know what he looks like. When he arrives at the village the only person who has the courage to speak to the enormous beast is the Minor Canon. The Griffin becomes very attached to the Minor Canon and follows him everywhere on his parish duties, visitng the sick and the poor, teaching in the village school, even waiting outside the church until he has finished his services. Gradually the villagers get used to the strange creature in their midst and all is well until the autumnal equinox draws near and then they know that the Griffin will have to eat. -- Jacket flap.