{"id":943,"date":"2022-02-02T05:18:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-02T05:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mdr.foobrdigital.com\/?p=943"},"modified":"2022-02-02T05:18:36","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T05:18:36","slug":"the-sword-in-the-stone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/02\/the-sword-in-the-stone\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sword in the Stone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cSire, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMerlin!\u201d said the King in surprise. \u201cYou are a great magician. \u00a0And you are my friend. But there is no way we would let anyone take our<\/p>\n\n\n\n

child away!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, soon after the child\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet far away, there was a quiet place. \u00a0A good knight, Sir Ector, lived in peace with his two sons. \u00a0His first son was named Kay. His younger son Arthur had been adopted as a baby. \u00a0Years before, a stranger had come to Sir Ector with a baby. He asked if Sir Ector would raise the child. \u00a0The old knight took the baby in his arms, glad for a second child. He named the baby Arthur, and raised the child as his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Artist, Veljko, 10, Serbia,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Arthur was ten years old, the same stranger returned to Sir Ector\u2019s home.  He could read and write, and so Sir Ector hired him to teach his two sons. Kay could not sit still for lessons and he stopped coming.  But Arthur listened with wide eyes. He learned everything. I bet you have guessed by now who that stranger was \u2013 none other than Merlin the Magician!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of each day when Arthur finished his chores, that was time for the lessons. \u00a0Merlin would sit with Arthur for hours and teach him about the world. Arthur was a thin lad, not strong like his big brother Kay. \u00a0Merlin 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. \u00a0He could see that the boy had a very big and strong heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time Arthur was 16, his brother Kay had become a knight.  He was now called Sir Kay. Arthur loved nothing more than to serve his brother as a squire.  He kept great care of his brother\u2019s tunic and helmet, his spears and lances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day at lesson time, Merlin looked away.  He stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d said Arthur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe people need hope,\u201d said Merlin.  \u201cArthur, there is something I must do.  I must go now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That night, when the nighttime was at its most dark, Merlin the Magician came to London\u2019s market square.  He stood in the middle of the square. He held both his arms high. And pointed his wand to the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next morning at dawn, people started to arrive at the market.  There in front of them was something most odd. A block of white marble stood in the middle of the town square.  Resting on the block was a giant stone the size of a very large rock. At the very top of the stone there was a golden sword handle and a few inches of the blade, shining in the sun.  Yet \u2013 this was most odd \u2013 the rest of the blade was buried deep into the stone. None of this was there the day before!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, these words could be seen on the top of the blade:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhoever pulls out this sword from this stone is the true king of England!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 would not move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One said in gloom, \u201cThere is no man alive who could pull out that sword!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that!\u201d said a voice in the crowd.  The Duke of Cornwall, dressed in silks and ribbons, stepped up to the white marble block.  \u201cHear ye, hear ye!\u201d he said. \u201cI call for a tournament to be held, one month from today. Knights from anywhere and everywhere in England are invited to come.  There will be contests and prizes. And a grand feast for all!\u201d The Duke said to his wife, the Duchess, \u201cIf I know men, this tournament will draw the strongest, finest knights in all of England!\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Said the Duchess, \u201cGood idea, my dear.  All we need is one knight who is so strong he can pull that sword from the stone.  Then we will have a king again, at last!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people danced and cheered.  At last there was something to feel happy about! News of the tournament traveled fast.  From castle to village, to every far corner of the land. At last, word got to the far-away home of Sir Ector.  Sir Kay heard the news when he was polishing his helmet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArthur!\u201d he called out. \u00a0Arthur was once again by the woods, feeding birds from his hand. \u00a0He set down a pile of seeds for the birds, and a pile for the squirrels. \u00a0Then he ran fast to see his brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere you are!\u201d said Kay.  \u201cThere will be a tournament in London.  We must set out at once!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What great news! Arthur had never been more than a few miles from home.  He would be the best squire ever for his brother! Arthur ran back to the house.  In the courtyard his father was getting the horses ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sir Ector and his two sons rode through London on their way to the tournament.  Riding through the market square, something shiny glinted in the sun. \u201cThat sword looks like it goes right into that stone,\u201d said Arthur.  \u201cBut how can that be? That\u2019s impossible.\u201d But why were guards standing all around it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The father and his two sons reached the tournament. Sir Kay ran off to get in line to register.  Sir Ector greeted many old friends \u2013 dukes, earls, barons, counts and countesses. Arthur sat in their tent, polishing his brother\u2019s helmet till it shone bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bugle sounded.  The tournament was about to begin! \u201cGet my sword, demanded Kay\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight away,\u201d said Arthur.  But where was it? Arthur looked around in panic.  Kay\u2019s spear, battle-axe, and dagger were right where they should be.  But no sword. \u201cKay\u2026\u201d he said, \u201chow about a battle-axe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArthur, I said my sword!\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d said Arthur.  \u201cBut just a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe quick about it!\u201d said Kay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur ran back into the tent.  Maybe he had left Kay\u2019s sword there?  He searched through the bag of armor and weapons.  How could he let such a thing happen? Then he had an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very fast, Arthur rode back to the market square.  The guards were not there anymore \u2013 they must have all gone to the tournament.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur stepped up on the marble block. \u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s see if that sword can get unstuck.\u201d \u00a0He took hold of the handle of the sword. He moved the sword a bit. \u00a0\u201cHey!\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s looser than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Artist, G P Sharvesh, 9, India<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With one big tug, the sword slid out.  Arthur was thrown back, but the sword was safe in his hands.  \u201cI will be sure to bring it right back.\u201d He raced to the where his brother was waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere it is,\u201d he said, handing the sword to his brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kay took one look.  \u201cOh!\u201d he said in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d said Arthur.  But his brother was gone. Soon after, he heard his brother\u2019s voice outside the tent.  \u201cFather, I have something to show you.\u201d Kay and his father stepped inside the tent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook!\u201d said Kay.  He pointed to the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sir Ector stared.  His face turned white.  \u201cKay,\u201d said the father, facing his older son, \u201cwhere did you get this sword?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is mine!\u201d said Kay, holding it close to him.  \u201cI have it now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKay!\u201d said the Father again in a stern voice.  \u201cI will ask you one more time. Where did you get this sword?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young knight\u2019s head dropped down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom Arthur,\u201d he said.  \u201cHe lost my sword! Somehow he got this one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArthur?\u201d The father turned to his younger son.  \u201cHow is it that you came by this sword?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry!\u201d said Arthur.  \u201cFather, I will put it back right away.  I only meant to borrow it when I pulled it from the stone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou must take us to where you found this sword.  At once!\u201d The three of them rushed over to the market square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur climbed up onto the marble block. \u00a0\u201cIt came from here,\u201d he said. He lifted the sword over his head. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Artist, Stevan, 10, Serbia<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he dropped the blade back into the stone. \u201cNow it\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey,\u201d said Sir Kay.  \u201cI still need a sword!\u201d  He jumped up onto the marble block.  Grabbing the hilt of the sword, he pulled and pulled.  But it did not move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kay shouted to Arthur, \u201cWhat did you do to it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing!\u201d said the lad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou must have done something!\u201d yelled Sir Kay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHush! Both of you!\u201d said the father.  \u201cIt is better if no one sees or hears us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was too late.  A crowd had already started to form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey! Did you pull that sword out of the stone?\u201d called one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Arthur. \u201cI did.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo it again!\u201d called another from the crowd.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, let\u2019s see it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur put his hands around the golden handle.  With one tug, the blade slid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d called another voice. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArthur,\u201d said the lad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait a minute, put that sword back!\u201d A tall knight pushed forward from the crowd.  \u201cAnyone can pull it out, once it\u2019s been pulled!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo ahead.  Put it back, son,\u201d said a voice.  It was the Duke of Cornwall, the one who had called for the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Arthur. He slipped the blade back into the stone, with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me at that now!\u201d said the tall knight.  He jumped up and grabbed the handle of the sword.  But pull and tug as he might, the sword would not move.  Not even a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another knight tried.  Then another. But no one could move the sword. Some waited, thinking the longer they pulled the sword, the looser it would get.  But when each man took their turn, the sword did not move for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet the lad try now,\u201d said the Duke of Cornwall.  \u201cArthur, go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthur stepped up to the stone again.  In one motion he freed the 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One called out at last.  \u201cHe must be our new king!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a king!\u201d called another. \u201cAt last!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStop!\u201d shouted the tall knight.  \u201cDo you really think this skinny boy should rule over all of us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d said a voice.  All eyes turned around.  It was Merlin the Magician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know this boy. I know his heart. \u00a0There is no one in England who has a heart that is bigger and stronger than his. \u00a0The sword has told us this young man is to be the next king of England. And there is something else!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe lad,\u201d said Merlin, pointing to Arthur, \u201cis the true child of King Uther.  He is the missing baby!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheers began to ring out.  \u201cHail, King Arthur!\u201d called someone from the crowd.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"end\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mudassirbackup.infinitycodestudio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}