ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN G2sr03

 3. ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN

At the time of this story England was in the hands of nobles who ruled as they pleased. It was a common thing for a peasant to be thrown into prison and to be killed, or to be declared an outlaw and to be hunted like a wild beast from one end of England to the other.

One day Robin Hood, who was only a boy, was walking through Sherwood Forest when he was stopped by a party of the king's foresters. They made fun of him. "See the length of his bow," they said. "He carries it for show. He could never draw it."

“I will draw it at any mark you might choose,” cried the boy.

“There's your mark,” said the chief forester with an ugly smile, and he pointed to a herd of deer which had just come into view.

Without a word, Robin drew out an arrow, raised his bow and aimed it at the great deer leading the herd. Twang The great animal leaped and fell, with the arrow through his heart.

“Well, have I won?” Robin turned to the men and asked.

“Yes,” said the chief forester, “but you will be hanged for shooting the king's deer. Seize him, my men.”

In an instant Robin saw their trick. He was filled with rage, but he was powerless.

The foresters bound him and placed him on a cart. Then calling two wood-cutters nearby, they forced the wood-cutters to leave their work and pull the cart to town.

Towards evening the company stopped at an inn to rest. The older of the two wood-cutters, watching his chance, stole away into the forest. The younger one ran softly to the cart in which Robin lay. Quickly cutting the ropes, he helped Robin to his feet. and together they ran towards the woods.

Robin ran far into the forest and made his home there. By and by others joined him there — men like himself, who had been ill-treated by the cruel lords. They made him their leader, and his company grew larger and larger. The officers and the lords hated him and often tried to capture him and his followers. But as time went by, the company of Merry Men grew so strong that they had little to fear from the nobles.

Robin Hood's Merry Men became known all over England as rebels against the unjust rule of the lords, and as friends and helpers of the poor and oppressed. The mere mentioning of Robin Hood's name would bring fear to the lords and officers. On the other hand, the poor people from every part of the country would call on him for help whenever they were in trouble. Every time they did so, they got the help they needed.

No wonder, then, that the name of Robin Hood was dear to all the oppressed people in England. No wonder that they loved to tell of his deeds, and that his fame has come down in song and story to this day.