6-62. The Birth of a King

A long time ago, there lived a young boy whose name was Arthur. Arthur lived in a small village in England with his uncle, aunt, and cousin Kay. Arthur had many chores and duties around the house, but in his heart he longed to become a knight.
     One day Arthur went to the market with his aunt. Suddenly a soldier on his horse rode through the middle of the road. He was shouting something. "The king is dead! King Uther is dead!" shouted the soldier.
     Everyone stopped. Some people began to cry. Others began to pray. The king of England was dead. Who would be their ruler now?
     During this time there lived a magician by the name of Merlin. Merlin gathered the people together in front of a stone. The blade of a great sword was stuck inside the stone. He said, "The man who pulls this sword out of the stone will become the next king of England."
     Many men tried and tried but did not succeed. Only the one whose destiny was to be king would be able to pull the sword out.
     "Arthur," said his uncle one evening. "My son Kay is going to become a great knight. A great knight needs a great sword. Tomorrow you will go and find a sword for Kay."
     Arthur set out early the next morning. He did not know where to find a sword for his cousin. Arthur walked and walked for a long time. Suddenly he stopped. Arthur could not believe his eyes. A sword in a stone! Arthur walked closer to the sword. It was magnificent! His uncle would be very happy.
     Arthur did not know he was being watched. He grabbed the handle and pulled. The sword slid easily out from the stone. Suddenly Merlin appeared before Arthur.
     "Your Majesty," said Merlin as he got down on his knee and bowed to Arthur.
     Arthur was scared. He did not know who the old man was. "Wh-who are you?" Arthur asked.
     Merlin rose and approached Arthur. "I am Merlin the magician. You are Arthur, king of England."
     "How did you know my name? What did you call me?" Arthur was confused.
     "You are the king of England, my lord," answered Merlin. "Only the true king can pull the sword from the stone. You, Arthur, are actually King Uther's son. You are the next king of England," Merlin told Arthur.
     Gradually people began to gather in front of the stone. They were surprised to see a young peasant boy holding the grand sword. Soon the entire village heard that the sword had found its owner. Arthur's uncle, aunt, and cousin pushed to the front of the crowd.
     "What is the meaning of this, Arthur?" his uncle shouted angrily. "Whose sword do you hold in your hand? Is it not Kay's?"
     Arthur tried to explain, but Merlin put his hand up. "You will not speak in such a manner to your king," Merlin said to Arthur's uncle.
     Arthur's uncle blinked his eyes. "King? Arthur?" Arthur's aunt fainted at the news.
     Merlin looked at the crowd. "People of England! Behold your new king!"
     The crowd bowed down to Arthur. Then they shouted together, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
     Arthur became king and ruled England with Merlin at his side. Arthur was a great king. He fought and won many battles.
     King Arthur met and fell in love with Guinevere. Soon they were married, and she became his queen. They lived in Arthur's castle, which was called Camelot.
     Inside Camelot, Arthur formed a society called the Knights of the Round Table. Only the bravest and most courageous knights could be members. The table was round because King Arthur believed everyone was an equal member.
     King Arthur became close friends with one of his knights. He was a young Frenchman named Lancelot. Lancelot spent a lot of time at Camelot with Arthur and Queen Guinevere.
     England became stronger and more prosperous under Arthur's rule. Finally, during one battle, Arthur's sword broke and his army lost the fight. Arthur knew he needed to find a stronger and more powerful sword.
     "Merlin, where can I find a sword that will win all of England's wars? A sword so powerful it can conquer all of England's enemies?" Arthur asked.
     "There is only one sword that can do this, my lord," Merlin answered.
     "Take me to it," Arthur said.
     Merlin took Arthur to the entrance of a deep shadowed forest. "My king," Merlin said to Arthur. "Once you enter this forest, your life will change forever."
     "I am ready, Merlin. Let us go," King Arthur said as he stepped bravely into the forest.