The Adventures of Robin Hood 11: Robin Meets a Friar
One day Robin was talking to Will Scarlet. "We're running low on money. How will we help the poor?"
"What about a feast?" asked Will.
"Yes!" said Robin. "Go find a rich man and bring him to eat with us."
Will and several men went to the road and waited. Many people passed by, but there were no rich people. The men ate some lunch and took a nap, and at last the sun began to set.
"Let's go home," said Will.
The men had just started walking when Will stopped abruptly. "Shh. I hear something!"
The others listened and soon they heard it too. A young man sat by a stream, crying! His blond hair was messy and his clothes looked rumpled. Over his head a wooden harp hung from a tree branch.
"You're Alan of Dale, the minstrel," said Will.
"Yes." Alan reached for his harp with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" asked Will.
"I want to marry a beautiful girl named Ellen. Her father doesn't like me because I'm poor. This morning I learned some terrible news—she's marrying Sir Stephen of Trent. He's an old man, but he's rich. And the wedding's in two days!"
"Come home with us," said Will. "I'm sure Robin Hood can find a way to help you."
They walked through the forest and soon arrived at the big oak tree.
"You didn't bring me a rich man," said Robin.
"No," said Will. "This is Alan of Dale, and he has a problem."
Robin listened carefully to Alan's story. The young man was obviously full of sorrow. "I think I have a plan," said Robin. "But tell me something first—are you sure Ellen wants to marry you?"
"Oh, yes!" Alan replied. "We're engaged."
"Then the solution is simple," said Robin. "All we need is a friar to marry you."
"I know the friar of Fountain Abbey," said Will. "Robin, I'll guide you to the abbey."
"I'll go tomorrow morning," Robin said. "And don't worry, Alan. You'll soon be married to the lovely Ellen!"
The next day Will led Robin to a river. "I'll leave you here. The abbey is easy to find. You can cross the river just around the bend."
Robin walked along the river and soon spotted a stout man—a friar. He had curly black hair and red cheeks. His gray eyes danced with humor.
"Hello!" called Robin. "Do you know the friar of Fountain Abbey?"
"Yes, somewhat," answered the friar.
"I believe I must cross the river to find him," Robin went on. "But I don't want to get my nice clothes wet. You look very strong. Will you carry me across?"
"What?" cried the friar. Then he remembered he was a religious man and should do good deeds.
"Fine. I'll do it," he said. "Let me carry your sword so it stays dry."
Robin gave the friar his sword and climbed onto the man's back. They crossed the river.
On the other side, the friar looked slyly at Robin. "I want to return to the other side. But I'm too wet and tired. Now it's your turn—you must carry me back across."
"What?" This time Robin was outraged. But the friar refused to return Robin's sword. So Robin had no choice but to pick up the friar and carry him across the river.
"Where's my sword?" asked the friar.
"Right here!" Robin had managed to seize the friar's sword as well as his own sword. "I'll give it to you. But you must carry me across the river again."
"Fine," grumbled the friar. He picked up Robin.
Halfway across the river, the friar stopped for a moment. Then, with a sudden lift of his hand, he dumped Robin into the water.
Robin leaped up and the men began to fight on land with swords.
The two men fought for a long time. At last Robin blew his horn three times. Will Scarlet appeared with a large group of men. But the friar whistled loudly and suddenly four fierce dogs ran at Robin! They chased him up a tree.
"Help!" cried Robin.
Will stepped forward to call the dogs. They instantly ran to him and licked his face.
"Will?" cried the friar in surprise. "Is that you? What are you doing here?"
"I brought Robin Hood to meet you," said Will.
Robin climbed down the tree.
"Robin," said Will. "This is Friar Tuck, the friar of Fountain Abbey!"
The two men laughed and shook hands.
"I need your help, Friar," Robin said. "Please come home with us."
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