Robin Hood and the Merry Men

Listen closely... can you hear the rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind through the tall oak trees? That’s the sound of my home, Sherwood Forest. My name is Robin Hood, and some say I'm the best archer in all of England, with an arrow that always finds its mark. Long ago, our land was troubled by a greedy sheriff who took too much from the good people, leaving them hungry and sad. I knew I couldn't just stand by and watch. This is the story of how my friends and I decided to make things fair, in the legend of Robin Hood.

I wasn't alone in my quest for justice. I gathered a group of brave and cheerful friends who called themselves the Merry Men. We all wore clothes the color of forest leaves, a special shade called Lincoln green, which helped us hide perfectly among the trees. My best friend was a giant of a man named Little John, who was as tall as a young tree and as strong as an ox, but had the kindest heart. And there was the wonderful Maid Marian, who was as clever and courageous as any of us men and loved me dearly. Together, we lived in a secret camp deep within Sherwood Forest, sharing everything we had. When rich lords or the mean Sheriff of Nottingham's men traveled through the forest with carts full of gold, my Merry Men and I would cleverly spring a surprise. With a whistle and a zip of an arrow, we would stop the travelers. But we weren't robbers who kept the treasure for ourselves. We followed a very important rule: 'Take from the rich and give to the poor.' We would share the money with the poor villagers, making sure every family had food on their table and a warm fire in their hearth. The Sheriff of Nottingham was always red-faced with anger! He set traps and held big archery contests, hoping to finally catch me. But I was always one step ahead, sometimes even disguising myself to enter the contest and win the golden arrow prize right under the Sheriff's nose!

I became a hero to the people. I showed them that even when things seem unfair, one person with courage and good friends can make a big difference. The stories of my bravery, my clever tricks, and my kindness were told around fireplaces on cold nights and sung in cheerful songs all across England. For hundreds of years, people have shared the myth of Robin Hood. These stories taught everyone about fairness, helping others, and standing up for what is right. Artists have painted pictures of me aiming my bow, and filmmakers have created exciting movies about my adventures in the magical Sherwood Forest. The legend of Robin Hood reminds us that the greatest treasure isn't gold or jewels, but kindness and the courage to help a friend in need. And even today, whenever we see someone stand up for others, we can see a little bit of my spirit living on, whispering through the leaves of the forest.

Reading Comprehension Questions

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Answer: He was always angry because Robin Hood and his Merry Men would take treasure from the rich lords and give it to the poor people.

Answer: After they stopped the travelers, they would take their money and share it with the poor villagers so they could buy food.

Answer: His best friend was a very tall and strong man named Little John.

Answer: Courage means being brave, even when you are scared. Robin Hood was brave when he stood up to the mean sheriff.