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Robin Hood John Little band of Merry Men

Robin (to his Merry Men) : It’s dull here. I must go and look for something
exciting. I’ll blow my horn thrice if I need any help.

(He sets out and walks through the forest. He mounts a narrow, wooden bridge.

He sees a giant of a man at the other end of the bridge who starts to cross over
at the same time.)

Robin : Who stands there? Stand back and let me pass.

(The man does not move.)

Robin : Well, well, you are very stubborn. I’ll show you how we deal with fellows
like you. (Robin lifts his bow to attack.)

John Little (angrily) : You are not being fair! You are armed with a bow and

arrows. I have only my staff.

Robin : You stay here while I cut myself a staff. I prefer archery but you have only
a staff and I always fight in a fair way.

(Robin leaps off the bridge, goes to a nearby oak tree, cuts himself a staff from

one of the branches, and runs back to the bridge.)

Robin : Now we’re even. We’ll fight till one of us falls in the stream below. The

first one to fall off the bridge will lose.

John Little (laughing) : I hope you know how to swim.

(In the middle of the bridge, the two men meet. They are well matched, and fight
earnestly, blow for blow. One blow from Robin’s staff sends the giant reeling,

but before he falls, he swings his staff around and catches Robin. Unprepared
for the blow, the outlaw loses his footing and falls into the stream with a splash.)

John Little : Ho! What are you doing, fine fellow?

Robin (spluttering) : Swimming! No one has been able to do what you have
done today. You’re a brave and strong man.

stubborn — refusing to listen to others or change his mind; staff — a thick, long stick;
archery — the art or sport of shooting arrows with a bow; earnestly — seriously;
spluttering — speaking with difficulty and making soft spitting sounds

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