The Tale of the Silver Arrow

The Sheriff was desperate to capture Robin Hood. He had been tricked, beaten and made to look a fool by the outlaw and had had enough.

Prince John, the Kings nasty brother, was visiting Nottingham castle and was unhappy with the news that he had heard about Robin Hood.

“We must stop him” snarled the Prince

“But how?” moaned the sheriff, “I have tried everything”

“I will take a hundred men into the forest. We will travel to the Major Oak and catch the outlaw there” added the Prince

“It would not work” said the Sheriff, “They can hide everywhere and would ambush you before you knew what was happening.”

“Then we need to trick him into coming to Nottingham then”, schemed the Prince, “What would bring him here?”

Meanwhile, deep in Sherwood Forest the outlaws were feasting around the Major Oak. They were laughing and joking about the trick that they had played on the sheriff. Robin joked that he had sat at the Sheriffs table eating the Sheriffs food without being recognised.

Mutch the Millers Son arrived at the tree.

“Robin, there is news of a great contest in Nottingham. There is a prize of a silver arrow for the best archer” he said

“Then I shall enter” called out Robin, “And I shall win for all Saxons everywhere”

Little John was not so happy. “Robin, I think it is a trap. Prince John is nearby and this would be a good time for the Sheriff to catch you. Don’t go”

“I must. I have to win the prize for the sake of all Saxons”.

Robin set off for Nottingham, disguised as a lowly peasant.

He arrived in Nottingham in time for the competition. As he stood waiting to take part he noticed Sir Guy of Gisborne wandering around the contestants.

‘He’s trying to find me’ thought Robin.

The contest began. Robin easily won through to the finals and waited.

The final began. Robin was to fire his arrows after a Norman Knight had fired his.

Watching in the crowd were the Saxon people of Nottingham, and a group of disguised outlaws.

Robin began to take his shots. His first arrow was fired and hit the bullseye.

“Master John, master John” called a voice to little John, “Gisborne has set a trap. You have to leave before he finds you”

Little John looked around for the others, but could not see them. He had to find another way to stop Gisborne.

He turned to the villager next to him. “Tell everybody that the peasant with the bow is a Saxon. He is the best archer in the land”

The villager wandered through the crowd telling everyone. Soon the crowd were shouting and cheering. The knights and Gisborne became worried about the noise – something was wrong.

Robin fired his second shot. It missed the bullseye. The crowd went quiet.

With his final arrow Robin hit the bullseye again. The crowd cheered.

“The Saxon has won” they shouted, “The Saxon has won”

Prince John stood and prepared to present the winner with the silver arrow.

Robin approached the Royal Box and stood before the Prince. Prince John handed the silver arrow to Robin, and whispered “I have you at last”.

Robin stepped back, as Prince John signaled to his Knights.

Little John decided now was the time. He shouted out “Carry the winner, Carry the winner”.

Everybody who had been watching the contest ran forwards towards the Royal Box. Before the Knights vould reach him, Robin was lifted up in a crowd of people.

Carefully he was lowered into the crowd, and while everyone celebrated Robin and the outlaws escaped from the city.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31