4 4 The sword in the stone

Story Time ARTHUR The legend 44 . The sword in the stone

A strange thing happens

Uther dies on a cold day in November, and Merlin is worried because he has heard some bad news: many lords and knights are fighting to become the new king of England. THIS FIGHTING MUST STOP. I HAVE AN IDEA... A MAGIC It’s Christmas Day, and a lot of people have SWORD! gathered at the Great Church in London. Then a strange thing happens outside the church. There are black clouds in the sky. Suddenly a terrible storm breaks out. Big raindrops start to fall, and a bolt of lightning strikes the ground. Then a stone appears in the churchyard! A shining sword is stuck into it. The sword has jewels covering the handle and the blade is so shiny that you can see your reflection in it. Strange words are written on the stone… Someone tries to draw the sword from the stone. But it is impossible!

WHOEVER CAN PULL

Glossary

have gathered si sono radunate breaks out scoppia bolt of lightning fulmine churchyard sagrato della chiesa stuck piantata handle impugnatura blade lama shiny brillante whoever can pull chiunque riesca a estrarre

New Year’s Day

giorno di Capodanno tournament torneo bows and arrows archi e frecce at dawn all’alba

7

Ascolta e leggi i due episodi della storia. Poi

segna conse le frasi sono vere T o false F .

Correggi le frasi false su un foglio.

1. There is peace in England after Uther’s death. T F 2. A bolt of lightning hits the Great Church on Christmas Day. T F 3. Suddenly a beautiful sword appears in the sky. T F 4. Only a king can pull the sword from the stone. T F 5. There is a tournament in London on December 31st. T F 6. Only Ector and Kay are going to the tournament. T F

The tournament

A few days later, on New Year’s Day, as it happens every year, a great tournament is organized in London not far from the Great Church. Nobles and knights from all parts of England gather to show their ability with their swords and spears, bows and arrows. They are the best knights in England and they will also try to pull the magic sword from the stone. News of the event in London soon arrives at Sir Ector’s castle. Kay is excited. He knows he can show his talent in the tournament.

Ector smiles: “Of course, my son. Hurry up, there isn’t much time! Prepare some clean clothes and go and tell Arthur to get ready!”

WOW! A TOURNAMENT! CAN WE GO‚ FATHER?

WE’RE LEAVING FOR LONDON TOMORROW at dawn.

8

Metti questi avvenimenti nell’ordine corretto.

a. On Christmas Day a stone with a sword in it appears. b. Ector and his sons leave for London.

c. 1 King Uther dies. d. Merlin has an idea.

e. There is a fight for the crown. f. News of a tournament in London arrives. Surf the internet and find a painting of a medieval tournament that you like and describe it.