My Own Robin Hood Story

         This week I finished reading the amazing story of Robin Hood. Robin Hood was a tale of many stories of the bandit, but it was Howard Pyle that combined it all into one story. As my writing assignment for this week, I am supposed to write my own Robin Hood tale, in the style of Howard Pyle.

How Robin Taught a Boy How to Use a Bow 

         In merry Sherwood Forest, beside the town of Sherwood, lived a young lad named Robin Hood. Robin was starting to gather some followers, or merry men, and he decided to go toward Sherwood town to find some men who wanted to join up with Robin Hood. 

         When he was about to exit the forest and come into the town, he heard soft breathing behind him. He turned around and found a handsome boy, around 13, who was trying to grab his bow and sheath of arrows. The boy was thin and had thick, dark hair and dark eyes. 

          Robin asked what he was doing, and the boy told him that he wanted to make a bow and arrows and learn how to shoot. He said that after 8 days of attempting to make a bow, he failed, and figured that he would just go buy one. However, the bow he chose was too big for him, and he could not hold it. So he went into the woods to try to make one again. He was unsuccessful and decided to leave, when he saw Robin’s bow and arrows, and he decided to try and steal it. 

         “Apparently I can not.” said the boy after explaining the story. Robin laughed and asked what the boy’s name was. He answered as William Bunkins, but everyone calls him Billy Bunkins or just Billy.  

         “Well Billy… My name is Robin Hood, and it just so happens that I believe that I am a very skilled bowman, and I will teach you if you like. However, if I teach you, you will shoot a doe, so that I can replenish myself after teaching you.” Robin Hood and Billy Bunkins made a deal and they went off to start training. 

          Robin first taught Billy how to make a bow and sheath of arrows out of the wood in the forest. It was difficult because Billy would not stop talking, so Robin had to make him listen. Despite this, Robin enjoyed the company, for he had no neighbors but the animals in the forest where he lived. 

          On the second day, Robin succeeded in teaching Billy how to make targets out of tree stumps so that he could practice. He taught the boy how to cut the top of a tree stump off with a serrated knife and nail it to a tree for a target. This was pretty easy, except Billy kept cutting unevenly. 

          Then Robin taught Billy Bunkins how to shoot an arrow with a bow. To his surprise this was fairly easy, for the most part. Billy completely understood how to shoot the arrow, and could shoot it, but his aim wasn’t very good. After 4-5 days of practicing to shoot the arrow, Billy finally hit the target right in the center. He did this about 10 more times, then Robin told him to go get some rest. 

         The next day, Billy went out on his own into the forest with one arrow. He walked around then climbed into a tree. When he saw a doe, he drew the arrow and set it up on the bow, aiming directly at the doe’s heart. He took a deep breath and let go. The arrow pierced the doe, killing it, and it fell to the ground. Billy jumped down from his hiding place, took out the arrow, picked up the deer and brought it all the way back to Robin’s hut. 

         Robin congratulated him and then willingly taught Billy how to prepare the doe for eating. Robin knew how hard Billy worked and even shared the doe with him. They talked and Robin asked Billy if he wanted to be the first of the merry men. Billy agreed and they lived together for three merry years. 

           One day, Billy, at sixteen now, went to the town with Robin. Robin went into a shop and sold a squirrel. When he came out he saw Billy talking to a beautiful maiden named Amelia. As they were walking back to Robin’s and Billy’s hut in Sherwood forest, Billy said that he wanted to marry Amelia and go live in the country. Robin indeed understood completely, and allowed Billy to go, but only if Billy went and shot a stag for Robin first. 

          The next morning, Billy went with one arrow deep into the woods. He walked around then climbed into a tree. When he saw a stag, he drew the arrow and set it up on the bow, aiming directly at the stag’s heart. He took a deep breath and let go. The arrow pierced the stag, killing it, and it fell to the ground. Billy jumped down from his hiding place, took out the arrow, picked up the deer and brought it all the way back to Robin’s hut. 

          This time, Robin was not very surprised, but he indeed shared the stag with Billy once again. They laughed and talked and ate. Both men had a very merry time during the last dinner with each other in Robin’s hut. A few days later, Billy and Amelia were married, and they left to go live in the merry country together. 

          The last thing Billy said before he left was: “Thank you Robin Hood, for everything you have done for me.” 

          Robin replied: “No, thank you William Bunkins, for giving me a fantastic story to tell about my favorite part in my life. Good bye Billy.” 

          Billy and Amelia had nine children, and Robin became the godfather of all of them. One of them was even named Robin after Robin Hood. Robin and Billy stayed good friends for the rest of their lives, and they made sure to see each other every time they visited. Robin loved Billy like a brother from the time he met him attempting to steal Robin’s bow and sheath of arrows to the very second he died, and past.