King Alban was a good king, ruling over Albanatolia with kindness, fairness, and above all, efficiency, thanks to the white magic. Everyone had enough to wear, enough to eat, enough to do, and had their washing done for free at the Palace, on Mondays from 10 to 4. One day, the king's lavish and vain long-lost brother returned to the kingdom to bring a bit of colour to the realm with his own particular brand of magic, while stirring up discontent among the citizens, so that he might take the throne for himself. This amusing allegory by E. Nesbit explores themes of political propaganda, populism and responsible leadership, all told with Nesbit's signature charm, wit and whimsy. The Plush Usurper was first published in Nine Unlikely Tales, 1901.