The Sword in the

Stone: a King Arthur

Legend of the Sword
Story
Long ago in England, a wise and just king ruled the land. His name was
King Uther. Times were good and the people lived well. King Uther Yet far away, there was a quiet place. A good knight, Sir Ector,
wanted a magician at court. And so he chose the famous Merlin the lived in peace with his two sons. His first son was named Kay.
Magician. Merlin could see into the future. And he knew those good days
were not going to last. His younger son Arthur had been adopted as a baby. Years
before, a stranger had come to Sir Ector with a baby. He asked
King Uther and the Queen Guinevere had a child, a baby son. At a castle if Sir Ector would raise the child. The old knight took the baby
party for the royal birth, Merlin the Magician took the King aside. He in his arms, glad for a second child. He named the baby Arthur,
said, “Sire, there is something you must know. Soon a great darkness will
fall over this land. Your child is in great danger. Let me take the baby far and raised the child as his own.
away. I will be sure he stays safe.”
When Arthur was ten years old, the same stranger
“Merlin!” said the King in surprise. “You are a great magician. And you returned to Sir Ector’s home. He could read and write,
are my friend. But there is no way we would let anyone take our child and so Sir Ector hired him to teach his two sons. Kay
away!”
Sadly, soon after the child’s birth the Queen died. Not long after, King
could not sit still for lessons and he stopped coming. But
Uther was killed in battle. That very night, Merlin swept into the castle Arthur listened with wide eyes. He learned everything. I
and took the child. The next morning, the royal nurse went into the bet you have guessed by now who that stranger was –
nursery. Alas, an empty crib! In fear, the nurse, the nobles and servants
looked everywhere. But the baby was gone! none other than Merlin the Magician!
At the end of each day when Arthur finished his chores,
For years, there was no king to sit on the throne. No king to set the laws. that was time for the lessons. Merlin would sit with
Men of high rank fought each other to be king. Darkness fell over the Arthur for hours and teach him about the world. Arthur
land. Robbers and bands of wild men ruled the streets of London. Evil was a thin lad, not strong like his big brother Kay. Merlin
men broke into houses and took what they wanted. Travelers on the
roads were jumped and robbed. The people of England lived in fear. said not to worry about that. He said what mattered most
was to have a heart that was big and strong. Merlin saw
how the birds, foxes and deer followed Arthur. He could
see that the boy had a very big and strong heart.
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Long ago in England, a wise and just king ruled the land. His name was
King Uther. Times were good and the people lived well. King Uther
wanted a magician at court. And so he chose the famous Merlin the
Magician. Merlin could see into the future. And he knew those good days
were not going to last.

King Uther and the Queen Guinevere had a child, a baby son. At a castle
party for the royal birth, Merlin the Magician took the King aside. He said,
“Sire, there is something you must know. Soon a great darkness will fall
over this land. Your child is in great danger. Let me take the baby far away.
I will be sure he stays safe.”

“Merlin!” said the King in surprise. “You are a great magician. And you are
my friend. But there is no way we would let anyone take our child away!”
Sadly, soon after the child’s birth the Queen died. Not long after, King
Uther was killed in battle. That very night, Merlin swept into the castle and
took the child. The next morning, the royal nurse went into the nursery.
Alas, an empty crib! In fear, the nurse, the nobles and servants looked
everywhere. But the baby was gone!

For years, there was no king to sit on the throne. No king to set the laws.
Men of high rank fought each other to be king. Darkness fell over the
land. Robbers and bands of wild men ruled the streets of London. Evil
men broke into houses and took what they wanted. Travelers on the roads
were jumped and robbed. The people of England lived in fear.
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As soon as the crowd knew about the message, men jumped up
to that white marble block. One after another, they gave the
sword a yank. Each tried and tried, but the sword stuck fast. It “There you are!” said Kay. “There will be a tournament in
would not move.
London. We must set out at once!”
One said in gloom, “There is no man alive who could pull out that
sword!”
What great news! Arthur had never been more than a few
“We’ll see about that!” said a voice in the crowd. The Duke of miles from home. He would be the best squire ever for his
Cornwall, dressed in silks and ribbons, stepped up to the white brother! Arthur ran back to the house. In the courtyard his
marble block. “Hear ye, hear ye!” he said. “I call for a
tournament to be held, one month from today. Knights from father was getting the horses ready.
anywhere and everywhere in England are invited to come. There
will be contests and prizes. And a grand feast for all!” The Duke Sir Ector and his two sons rode through London on their way to
said to his wife, the Duchess, “If I know men, this tournament will the tournament. Riding through the market square, something
draw the strongest, finest knights in all of England!”
shiny glinted in the sun. “That sword looks like it goes right into
Said the Duchess, “Good idea, my dear. All we need is one knight that stone,” said Arthur. “But how can that be? That’s
who is so strong he can pull that sword from the stone. Then we
will have a king again, at last!” impossible.” But why were guards standing all around it?
The people danced and cheered. At last there was something to The father and his two sons reached the tournament. Sir Kay
feel happy about! News of the tournament traveled fast. From
castle to village, to every far corner of the land. At last, word got ran off to get in line to register. Sir Ector greeted many old
to the far-away home of Sir Ector. Sir Kay heard the news when friends – dukes, earls, barons, counts and countesses. Arthur
he was polishing his helmet. sat in their tent, polishing his brother’s helmet till it shone
“Arthur!” he called out. Arthur was once again by the woods, bright.
feeding birds from his hand. He set down a pile of seeds for the
birds, and a pile for the squirrels. Then he ran fast to see his A bugle sounded. The tournament was about to begin! “Get
brother.
my sword, demanded Kay”
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“Right away,” said Arthur. But where was it? Arthur looked With one big tug, the sword slid out. Arthur was thrown back,
around in panic. Kay’s spear, battle-axe, and dagger were right but the sword was safe in his hands. “I will be sure to bring it
where they should be. But no sword. “Kay…” he said, “how right back.” He raced to the where his brother was waiting.
about a battle-axe?”
“Here it is,” he said, handing the sword to his brother.
“Arthur, I said my sword!”
Kay took one look. “Oh!” he said in surprise.
“Yes, of course,” said Arthur. “But just a moment.”
“What is it?” said Arthur. But his brother was gone. Soon after,
“Be quick about it!” said Kay. he heard his brother’s voice outside the tent. “Father, I have
something to show you.” Kay and his father stepped inside the
Arthur ran back into the tent. Maybe he had left Kay’s sword tent.
there? He searched through the bag of armor and weapons.
How could he let such a thing happen? Then he had an idea. “Look!” said Kay. He pointed to the sword.

Very fast, Arthur rode back to the market square. The guards Sir Ector stared. His face turned white. “Kay,” said the father,
were not there anymore – they must have all gone to the facing his older son, “where did you get this sword?”
tournament.
“It is mine!” said Kay, holding it close to him. “I have it now.”
Arthur stepped up on the marble block. “Let’s see if that
sword can get unstuck.” He took hold of the handle of the “Kay!” said the Father again in a stern voice. “I will ask you one
sword. He moved the sword a bit. “Hey!” he said. “It’s looser more time. Where did you get this sword?”
than I thought.” 8
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 Then he dropped the blade back into the stone. “Now it’s
The young knight’s head dropped down. back.”

“From Arthur,” he said. “He lost my sword! Somehow he got “Hey,” said Sir Kay. “I still need a sword!” He jumped up onto
this one.” the marble block. Grabbing the hilt of the sword, he pulled
and pulled. But it did not move.
“Arthur?” The father turned to his younger son. “How is it that
you came by this sword?” Kay shouted to Arthur, “What did you do to it?”

“I’m sorry!” said Arthur. “Father, I will put it back right away. I “Nothing!” said the lad.
only meant to borrow it when I pulled it from the stone.”
“You must have done something!” yelled Sir Kay.
“You must take us to where you found this sword. At once!”
The three of them rushed over to the market square. “Hush! Both of you!” said the father. “It is better if no one sees
or hears us.”
Arthur climbed up onto the marble block. “It came from here,”
he said. He lifted the sword over his head. But it was too late. A crowd had already started to form.
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“Hey! Did you pull that sword out of the stone?” called one.

“Yes,” said Arthur. “I did.”

“Do it again!” called another from the crowd.

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“Yes, let’s see it!” Another knight tried. Then another. But no one could move the sword.
Some waited, thinking the longer they pulled the sword, the looser it
Arthur put his hands around the golden handle. With one tug, would get. But when each man took their turn, the sword did not move
for them.
the blade slid out.
“Let the lad try now,” said the Duke of Cornwall. “Arthur, go ahead.”
“Who are you?” called another voice. “What’s your name?”
Arthur stepped up to the stone again. In one motion he freed the
“Arthur,” said the lad. sword. This time, he held it high above his head. The blade flashed in
the sun. Amazed, the crowd did not know what to think.
“Wait a minute, put that sword back!” A tall knight pushed
forward from the crowd. “Anyone can pull it out, once it’s One called out at last. “He must be our new king!”
been pulled!”
“We have a king!” called another. “At last!”

“Go ahead. Put it back, son,” said a voice. It was the Duke of “Stop!” shouted the tall knight. “Do you really think this skinny boy
Cornwall, the one who had called for the tournament. should rule over all of us?”

“All right,” said Arthur. He slipped the blade back into the “Yes!” said a voice. All eyes turned around. It was Merlin the Magician.
stone, with ease.
“I know this boy. I know his heart. There is no one in England who has
a heart that is bigger and stronger than his. The sword has told us this
“Let me at that now!” said the tall knight. He jumped up and
young man is to be the next king of England. And there is something
grabbed the handle of the sword. But pull and tug as he might, else!”
the sword would not move. Not even a bit. 12
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“The lad,” said Merlin, pointing to Arthur, “is the true child of
King Uther. He is the missing baby!”

Cheers began to ring out. “Hail, King Arthur!” called someone

from the crowd.

Sir Ector fell to his knees. Then Sir Kay. One person after
another fell to their knees, too. All cheered. At last, a king had
been chosen. A fresh young king, and a new day for England!

End

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