The Legend of King Arthur

My voice is as old as the whispering wind through the oak trees, and I have seen ages come and go. I am Merlin, and I remember a time when the land of Britain was lost in shadow, a kingdom without a king to guide it. After the great King Uther Pendragon passed away, lords and barons fought for the crown, and the land suffered under their greed. But I knew a secret, a prophecy whispered to me by the ancient magic of the world: a true king was coming. This is the story of his beginning, the tale we call The Legend of King Arthur. One cold winter morning, the people of London awoke to a miracle. In the churchyard stood a great stone, and embedded in it was a massive anvil. Thrust deep into the anvil was a magnificent sword with golden words inscribed on its hilt: 'Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all England.' Knights and nobles, strong and proud, came from all corners of the kingdom. I watched as one after another, they flexed their muscles and boasted of their strength. "Stand aside," one bellowed, his armor gleaming. "This is a task for a true warrior." But he pulled and heaved until his face turned red, and the sword did not move. It was as if it were part of the stone itself. The sword was waiting, not for the strongest or the wealthiest, but for the one with the truest heart.

Among the crowds was a young boy named Arthur, a squire who knew nothing of his royal blood. He was kind and honest, serving his older brother, Sir Kay. During a tournament, Kay suddenly realized he had forgotten his sword. "Arthur, hurry. Fetch my sword from our lodging," he commanded. Arthur rushed off, but found the doors locked. Desperate, he remembered seeing a sword in the churchyard. Thinking it was simply a forgotten blade, he took hold of the hilt. With a gentle pull, the sword slid out of the stone as easily as if it were coming from water. At first, no one could believe it. How could this unknown boy be the foretold king? But when he placed the sword back in the stone, no one else could move it an inch. When he drew it out again, the people knelt and hailed him as their king. With my guidance, King Arthur grew into a wise and just ruler. He was given a new sword, the magical Excalibur, by the mysterious Lady of the Lake. He gathered the bravest and most honorable knights in the land, men like Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad, and brought them to a great round table. Can you imagine a table with no head, where no knight was greater than another? They were all equals, bound by an oath to do no evil, to be merciful, and to help those in need. Together, they built a shining city called Camelot, a beacon of hope, justice, and chivalry that became famous throughout the world.

From Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table set out on incredible adventures. They fought dragons, rescued villagers, and went on the greatest quest of all: the search for the Holy Grail, a sacred cup said to bring healing and endless peace. These stories of bravery and honor were told around fireplaces for centuries. But even the brightest lights cast shadows. Friendships were tested, and sadness eventually came to Camelot. In his final battle, Arthur was gravely wounded. His loyal knight, Sir Bedivere, returned Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake, and a mysterious boat carried the dying king away to the magical island of Avalon, where it is said he rests, waiting to return if Britain should ever need him again. The story of King Arthur isn't just about swords and magic. It's about the idea that even an ordinary person can have an extraordinary destiny. It teaches us about courage, the importance of friendship, and the dream of creating a fair and just world. For hundreds of years, this legend has inspired countless books, paintings, and movies, reminding us that the quest for goodness is a journey we can all share. The dream of Camelot lives on in our hearts, a timeless story that continues to spark our imagination and make us wonder about the hero inside each of us.

Reading Comprehension Questions

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Answer: Embedded means that the sword was stuck firmly and deeply inside the stone and anvil.

Answer: The sword was magical and wasn't waiting for the strongest person, but for the one who was destined to be king and had a true and good heart, which Arthur did.

Answer: Sir Kay's problem was that he forgot his sword. Arthur solved it by finding another sword for him, which turned out to be the magical Sword in the Stone.

Answer: He was likely very surprised and maybe a little scared or confused because he was just a young squire and didn't know he was meant to be a king.

Answer: A 'beacon of hope' means that Camelot was like a bright light in a dark time. It was a place that represented safety, fairness, and goodness for everyone in the kingdom.