by Orville
In the land of Persia, a poor bread salesman, who wore a plastic sweet roll on his head, earned just enough money daily to pay his rent and buy food for his family, but nothing more. One day, his life drastically changed. Bandits, disguised as tourists, appeared out of nowhere and began stealing priceless items, such as shiny gems, glittering statues, and gigantic books. Following their spiteful plan, they ravaged the city until they were so hungry they were incapable of any more thievery. They spied out a place to eat: the baker's shop. Before the baker was aware of the bandits' presence, they stealthily snuck inside the shop. To the salesman's shock, they aimed sharp arrows at the man's plastic sweet roll and demanded they be given bread or his sweet roll would be decimated. The salesman ran down the road as fast as he could as the bandits chased him and shot flaming arrows at his head. What was he to do?
Finally, he discovered a cave where he could hide from his pursuers. As he ducked inside, the thieves darted past him. After they had passed, he foolishly advanced further into the cave without thinking of the potential dangers. The cave's interior was gigantic! He located many gleaming, gargantuan jewels within the mountain's core. Surprisingly, instead of overfilling his tiny pockets with diamonds, he noticed a dusty, old lamp and grabbed it for his wife. He feared he would be cursed for stealing the diamonds, but knew his wife, who was afraid of the dark, would put the lamp, which had obviously been thrown away, to good use. Zooming out of the cave, he left the diamonds behind and dashed for home before he could be spotted by the villains.
While he was running, he inspected the rusty lamp. After he was safely home alone, the bread salesman blew on the lamp and polished it to make it eye-catching for his meticulous wife. Suddenly, a monstrous, dull cloud exited from it. He was astonished. Growing in fear, he started to run, but a voice called to him, "STOP!"
"Who-oo are y-you?" asked the baker.
"I am the Great Genie. I am extremely grateful for your assistance in releasing me from this nearly inescapable prison. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you great wealth. When you wake up tomorrow, you will be as rich as the king."
The baker ran away, not knowing whether to be happy or frightened. The next morning, he did not just awaken with the riches of the king, he was coronated as king. He never had to sell bread again because, for the rest of his days, he reigned as King Breadius III!
Inventive Brothers Writing about Homeschool
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Knightly Wisdom
Everyone knows knights for their fighting abilities; however, that is not all they should be remembered for. In the mid-to-high Middle Ages, knights valiantly served their King, the church, the people, and most importantly, God. Joyfully, they obeyed the Code of Chivalry. They gleamed in shiny armor. Becoming a knight required much work. Much can be learned by passing through the portal of time to take a closer look at these brave warriors.
In days of old, knighthood was thought to be a holy calling. As a result, knights lived under the magnificent Code of Chivalry. These were the standards that controlled their behavior. Unlike any others, they obediently protected the feeble and women. They were also commanded to guard the weak, never boast, and love the church. Honoring their king and fighting for their country were important aspects of a knight's calling. The requirements of knighthood were extremely difficult to meet. Surprisingly, many succeeded. Following the Code of Chivalry caused many to think that knights were called by God.
Knighthood also comes to mind at the mention of armor. Originally, the armor was made of chain mail, a basic defense. However, when the crossbow was invented, chain mail was not powerful enough to block flaming, zipping arrows. Brilliantly, blacksmiths created a process of smithing metal plates which added an impenetrable defense to the chain mail. There was just one problem: these new suits of armor were exceedingly expensive. The price matched a modern tank's! Without their famous yet expensive armor, modern people would not think of knights in the same way.
Becoming a knight was an extremely time-consuming process. The training commenced at the mere age of seven. Beginners were named pages. They were taught how to fight with swords, how to wrestle, and how to hunt with falcons. At the age of twelve, they could become squires. Squires cared for their master's horse and polished his sword and armor. Finally, at sixteen, they could become knights, if they were dubbed by their master. Dubbing was when a knight taps his squire on the shoulder with his sword hilt. This dubbing ended a long experience and began a new adventure.
Although they were not perfect, brave and courteous are terms to describe a knight. They followed the Code of Chivalry from beginning to end. Surprisingly, their brilliant armor remained shiny through many a bloody battle. To be dubbed a knight, they had to persevere through nine years of hard work and trials. Women and the feeble did not have to worry when a law-abiding knight was around. Battling and living wisely, knights taught many lessons in their day which people today would do well to follow.
In days of old, knighthood was thought to be a holy calling. As a result, knights lived under the magnificent Code of Chivalry. These were the standards that controlled their behavior. Unlike any others, they obediently protected the feeble and women. They were also commanded to guard the weak, never boast, and love the church. Honoring their king and fighting for their country were important aspects of a knight's calling. The requirements of knighthood were extremely difficult to meet. Surprisingly, many succeeded. Following the Code of Chivalry caused many to think that knights were called by God.
Knighthood also comes to mind at the mention of armor. Originally, the armor was made of chain mail, a basic defense. However, when the crossbow was invented, chain mail was not powerful enough to block flaming, zipping arrows. Brilliantly, blacksmiths created a process of smithing metal plates which added an impenetrable defense to the chain mail. There was just one problem: these new suits of armor were exceedingly expensive. The price matched a modern tank's! Without their famous yet expensive armor, modern people would not think of knights in the same way.
Becoming a knight was an extremely time-consuming process. The training commenced at the mere age of seven. Beginners were named pages. They were taught how to fight with swords, how to wrestle, and how to hunt with falcons. At the age of twelve, they could become squires. Squires cared for their master's horse and polished his sword and armor. Finally, at sixteen, they could become knights, if they were dubbed by their master. Dubbing was when a knight taps his squire on the shoulder with his sword hilt. This dubbing ended a long experience and began a new adventure.
Although they were not perfect, brave and courteous are terms to describe a knight. They followed the Code of Chivalry from beginning to end. Surprisingly, their brilliant armor remained shiny through many a bloody battle. To be dubbed a knight, they had to persevere through nine years of hard work and trials. Women and the feeble did not have to worry when a law-abiding knight was around. Battling and living wisely, knights taught many lessons in their day which people today would do well to follow.