Robin Hood and Little John

Long ago, in Sherwood Forest, there lived a merry man called Robin Hood. He wore a green coat and a feathered cap, and he lived among the oak trees with his band of friends. They shared what they had with poor families, and everyone in the villages loved them.

One sunny morning, Robin went for a walk by himself. He came to a stream with a bridge across it, made of a single log. The bridge was so narrow that only one person could cross at a time. Just as Robin stepped onto one end, a stranger stepped onto the other end. He was the tallest man Robin had ever seen, as tall as a young tree.

“Step back and let me cross first,” said Robin. “I was here first,” said the stranger with a smile, “so you step back.” Neither of them wanted to give way, so they met in the middle of the log. “Let us have a contest,” said Robin. “Whoever falls into the water must let the other one pass.” The stranger laughed and agreed.

Robin cut himself a long wooden staff from an oak tree, and the stranger already had one. Tap, clack, tap went the staffs as the two men pushed and dodged. The log wobbled, and the birds in the trees all stopped singing to watch. Robin was quick, but the stranger was strong and steady as a rock. At last, the stranger gave a big push, and down went Robin with a great splash!

Robin came up spluttering, with water weeds on his cap. Then he began to laugh, and he could not stop. “You win, my friend,” he said, wading to the bank. He lifted his little horn and blew it, and soon his friends came running through the trees. “Our leader is all wet!” they cried, and they laughed too.

“What is your name?” Robin asked the stranger. “My name is John Little,” said the tall man. “Will you join our band and live with us in the greenwood?” asked Robin. John Little said yes, and everyone cheered. “A man as big as you should have a funny name,” said Robin with a wink. “From now on, we will call you Little John!”

That night, they had a feast of bread and roasted apples under the oak trees. And from that day on, Robin Hood and Little John were the very best of friends.