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| Color plate from a real edition of H.E. Marhsall's Stories of Robin Hood, showing Richard revealing himself as king to Robin and his men. |
Yesterday I made sure to go out to the park, to maintain my habit of walking. When I came up towards the little free library kiosk, I was rueing the loss of my book before I could finish it, but as I walked towards it, I thought to myself, "well, maybe it will be back."
It seemed like a longshot, but nevertheless I would look. So I opened the door and I didn't see the book. But then I began rummaging through the books, just to double check, and lo and behold, there was the copy of Stories of Robin Hood Told to Children sitting between two larger children's books on the bottom shelf. I pulled it out with joy. It the same copy, to be sure, with its creased cover and yellow highlights. Now it felt like a treasure. I was filled with a wave to joy to be able to continue.
I immediately walked it over to the picnic table where I sat with it, reading the next chapter, which was Chapter 8 about the return of King Richard.
Richard has now heard much of Robin Hood and wants to meet this interesting fellow. He travels to Nottingham and goes into the Green Wood with his men hoping to meet Robin. But Robin always sees him coming and hides from him, as he respects the king and does not want to harm him or menace him in any way.
The frustrates the king, who does not want to harm Robin, or to meet him. The Sheriff of Nottingham advises him that in the king and men were to dress as monks, then surely Robin would intercept them. So the king does that, and now we have the king and his men all in disguises. Yet another twist on the disguise theme.
The ruse works. Robin and his men intercept them, but upon discovering the monks are loyal to the king, Robin affirms his loyalty as well and says he would gladly serve the king if he could. At that point the king removes his disguise and reveals himself as Richard. Robin and his men kneel and swear him allegiance, and to serve him. Then they have dinner together and the king sees the wonderful forest society that is flourishing under Robin. Then everyone marches out of the Green Wood together. Robin and his men go to London.
The story says that unfortunately Richard later dies, and his tyrannical brother assumes the throne for real, and that Robin and men are forced back into the Green Wood as outlaws. Nevertheless for a brief moment, there was justice in England.
When I finished reading the chapter, I closed the book and looked at the copy I was holding. Could I possibly have missed it yesterday. I had thought I had meticulously looked through all the books, twice in fact. But who knows? Or was it returned? I'll never know.
I felt such happiness to have it back. I decided at once that the original intention I had made for my secret book club, to leave the book in the kiosk each night, was no longer binding. The book had been set free but it had come back. I decided that I would take the copy home with me, at least for one night until I was finished with it, and now the little yellow highlighted book is by my side in my room. Maybe it will stay with me, and be part of my library permanently. Tomorrow I go out and read the final chapter.
4 comments:
When apathy or despondency visits, the best place to go is the library: the one in your attic, the one in the town square, the little free library in the wood. Children's books often bring the most wisdom and joy. I see the moon and the moon sees me, God bless the moon and God bless me. Even with Isaac in an old art studio.
Thank you. That was beautifully put. "Children's books often bring the most wisdom and joy" Very much cheered me up to read this on a day my head is full of worldly troubles. The part about children's books is exactly something I was thinking of the other day. I think reading A Wrinkle in Time while I was in Maui reawakened my simple joy for children's literature. I love the simplicity of language, the lack of guile or pretense.
For today may i recommend Open House for Butterflies and or A daydreamy child takes a walk. Krauss and Rodari respectively and respectfully. While you are tidying up, discard books last.
Thank you, friend! I'm just learning about how reply notifications work here, so I didn't even see this until now! I am going to look for these books in the public library (the nearest branch, that is). I've been wanting an excuse to the visit the library nearby and this is perfect. Of course I love Sendak (who doesn't, right?). Definitely worth a post. I will report back here in the replies and perhaps make a post about it.
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