Sea Girl by Ethel Johnston Phelps

Author:Ethel Johnston Phelps
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781558614260
Publisher: The Feminist Press at CUNY
Published: 2017-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

This version was adapted by the editor from a tale in Folktales of China (1965), edited by WOLFRAM EBERHARD. The story comes from a minority group living in southwest China, the Yi tribes of Yunnan. However, the Dragon King is frequently found in Chinese tales, and the importance given to folk singing is typical of many groups in southern and western China.

GAWAIN and the LADY RAGNELL

Long ago, in the days of King Arthur, the finest knight in all of Britain was the king’s nephew Gawain. He was, by reputation, the bravest in battle, the wisest, the most courteous, the most compassionate, and the most loyal to his king.

One day in late summer, Gawain was with Arthur and the knights of the court at Carlisle in the North. The king returned from the day’s hunting looking so pale and shaken that Gawain followed him at once to his chamber.

“What has happened, my lord?” asked Gawain with concern.

Arthur sat down heavily. “I had a very strange encounter in Inglewood Forest . . . I hardly know what to make of it.” And he related to Gawain what had occurred.

“Today I hunted a great white stag,” said Arthur. “The stag at last escaped me, and I was alone, some distance from my men. Suddenly a tall, powerful man appeared before me with sword upraised.”

“And you were unarmed!”

“Yes. I had only my bow and a dagger in my belt. He threatened to kill me,” Arthur went on. “And he swung his sword as though he meant to cut me down on the spot! Then he laughed horribly and said he would give me one chance to save my life.”

“Who was this man?” cried Gawain. “Why should he want to kill you?”

“He said his name was Sir Gromer, and he sought revenge for the loss of his northern lands.”

“A chieftain from the North!” exclaimed Gawain. “But what is this one chance he spoke of?”

“I gave him my word I would meet him one year from today, unarmed, at the same spot, with the answer to a question!” said Arthur.

Gawain started to laugh, but stopped at once when he saw Arthur’s face. “A question! Is it a riddle? And one year to find the answer? That should not be hard!”

“If I can bring him the true answer to the question ‘What is it that women most desire, above all else?’ my life will be spared.” Arthur scowled. “He is sure I will fail. It must be a foolish riddle that no one can answer.”

“My lord, we have one year to search the kingdom for answers,” said Gawain confidently. “I will help you. Surely one of the answers will be the right one.”

“No doubt you are right—someone will know the answer.” Arthur looked more cheerful. “The man is mad, but a chieftain will keep his word.”

For the next twelve months, Arthur and Gawain asked the question from one corner of the kingdom to the other. Then at last the appointed day drew near. Although they had many answers, Arthur was worried.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.