V LE E L
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Retold by Brenda Warren Illustrated by Sumiti Collina
V LE E L
smart
readers
3
Cornwall, in the 6 th century A.D. “Whoever pulls this sword from the stone will become king!� says Merlin.
Merlin is a wise magician with supernatural powers. He uses a magic spell to place a sword inside a stone.
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Merlin makes a prediction to his King Uther of Cornwall: “Sire, you will have a powerful son who will be king of England!�
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After some time Merlin is called to care for Arthur, King Uther’s son.
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15 years later... One day King Uther falls ill and dies. Merlin takes Arthur to the stone.
“Let me try to pull the sword from the stone!� Arthur says. Arthur manages to pull the sword out and so... 5
... he becomes King of England, at just fifteen years old!
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Years pass and Arthur wins many battles with the special sword.
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But one day he breaks it in combat. “Oh no! The sword is broken!” he exclaims.
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Merlin takes him to a lonely lake. Suddenly an arm holding a magnificent sword comes out of the water. The Lady of the Lake, an enchantress, appears. “Arthur, this sword is called Excalibur. It is a magic sword, it protects the person who holds it. It can be yours! Come and get it!�
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Arthur and Merlin go out in a boat to take the sword.
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Arthur makes his court at Camelot. He marries the beautiful Queen Guinevere.
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Guinevere’s father gives Arthur a round table as a wedding present. He says: “Everybody who sits at this table will have equal status, so nobody needs to quarrel.”
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The best knights of England sit with Arthur at the Round Table; they are all of equal importance and are loyal to Arthur. They fight many battles for him.
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Many years later, Arthur returns from battle to Camelot with his knights. They are wearing heavy armour and helmets. Arthur feels tired - he is old now.
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