The Sword in the Stone Lesson Summary and Explanation in English Class 6th

Introduction

King Arthur is remembered as one of Britain’s fiercest and greatest kings in legends and history. He grew up as an orphan when Destiny interfered in the shape of Merlin the Magician, his defender and guardian, to disclose his actual nature to the British people.

A Christmas Miracle

King Uther Pendragon ruled Britain wisely and effectively, and the people were joyful. The monarch, however, died quickly; it was suspected that he had been poisoned by traitors. There was no heir to the British throne. The strong Lords and Knights, who had previously been under King Uther’s rule, began to demand that one of them be proclaimed King of Britain. The Lords’ rivalry increased, and the kingdom as a whole began to suffer.

Sixteen years passed and then one Christmas morning when all the Lords and Knights were leaving the Great Church of London, they spotted a large stone, and on it an anvil of steel, and in the steel, a naked sword was held. There was a gold inscription reading that whoever pulled out the sword was the true King of England. Everyone tried their luck, but they all failed. In order to commemorate the appearance of the magnificent sword and prepare for their future King’s arrival, a tournament was to be held on New Year’s Day.

A great lot of young and brave knights arrived on New Year’s Day to attend the Church Service. They then gathered on a nearby field to take part in the Great Tournament. Sir Ector, a noble knight, was one of them. Sir Kay and young Arthur, his two sons, accompanied him. Kay was his own son, who had lately been knighted, and Arthur was actually an orphan whom he had raised as his own. Both of Sir Ector’s sons were highly adored by him.

The True King

Sir Kay realised he had forgotten his sword at home as he prepared to enter the competition. He quickly asked his brother to fetch his sword as fast as possible. Arthur ran to get Kay’s sword when a glint of steel caught his eye – the blade of a sword, shining brightly in the morning sun. It was the stone’s magical sword, but Arthur had no idea what it was. All he saw was an open sword that he could take. He dashed up to the stone, grabbed the sword by the handle, and effortlessly drew it out. He raced back to his brother, handing him the sword.

Sir Kay realised that Arthur got him a different sword and upon asking he learned the truth about the sword. He stood speechless and stared at his younger brother. Sir Kay gripped the sword and rushed to their father, leaving Arthur befuddled behind him.

He tried to pose as the rightful King of Britain and take all credit but Sir Ector knew better. Sir Ector asked his son to swear on the holy book that it was he who drew the sword. Sir Kay unable to lie any further revealed the truth. Sir Ector took his sons to the courtyard and asked Sir Kay to put the sword in its place but Kay could not even push it in. Arthur who was watching all this thought that he had made the mistake of stealing and sword and stepped forward to correct his mistake.

 He took the sword and put it back in the stone. Sir Ector made him pull the sword out several times and finally, he knelt in front of his young son, who wielded the huge sword, and bent his head in deep reverence. Kay silently followed in his example.

Merlin appeared before them in a flash of light, a hooded figure with bright, shining eyes and a charming smile. He explained that when Arthur was born the King blessed him and handed him to Merlin to be protected until he could claim the throne. Sir Ector introduced Arthur as the rightful King of England and after Arthur seized the sword from the stone, everyone was convinced and accepted him as their King.

Conclusion

What is meant to be will be. If something is meant for you, it will find its way to you regardless of how far it is and if something is not yours, you will not have it regardless of how close it is to you. Arthur was the rightful owner of the sword and throne and no one else was able to take it away from him, not even Sir Kay who claimed to be the King just because he had the sword in his hand.