Chapter FourThe sheriff is Robin’s guest
When Little John went missing, he was actually in Nottingham disguised as a beggar. He had heard there was a fair in town, and wanted to look around. What caught his attention most was the contest for staff fighting.1
On a stage stood a man the people called Eric of Lincoln. He was thought to be the best staff fighter in the area. Little John decided to challenge him. Little John borrowed a staff from one of the men in the crowd.
Now the crowd saw the best staff fight they had seen in many years.2
Crack! Crack! Whish!
With an upward strike, Little John knocked Eric’s staff up in the air. Then he knocked Eric on the head with a good blow. Little John’s third blow was a sweeping one. It knocked the dazed Eric off the stage.3
Key Words
go missing: mất tích
actually (adv): thực ra
look around (v): xem, quan sát
attention (n): sự chú ý
stage (n): vũ đài
area (n): khu vực
challenge (v): thử thách
borrow (v): mượn
crack (n): tiếng kêu răng rắc
whish (n): tiếng rít
upward (adj): hướng lên
strike (n): đòn đánh
knock up (v): đánh bay lên
blow (n): cú đánh, đòn
sweeping (adj): quyết định
Key Sentences
1 What caught his attention most was the contest for staff fighting.
2 Now the crowd saw the best staff fight they had seen in many years.
3 It knocked the dazed Eric off the stage.
Little John climbed down from the stage. Many people crowded around him, patting him on the back.1 The Sheriff came up to Little John and said, “I saw you beat Eric of Lincoln.”
“That I did,” said Little John.
“I need someone who can fight like you.2Will you work for me? I will give you three new suits of clothes, food, and a room.” said the Sheriff.
“Three suits?” said Little John. “Then I will gladly enter your service. My name is Reynold Greenleaf.”
Little John went with the Sheriff to his house and took his clothes and ate a large meal.3He told himself, “I will be the worst servant this Sheriff has ever had!”4
Check up
Why did Little John enter the Sheriff’s service?
a. He needed new clothes and a staff.
b. He wanted to tease the Sheriff.
c. He found no place to hide from Robin.
Key Words
climb down (v): leo xuống
pat (v): vỗ nhẹ
(pat - patted - patted)
come up to (v): tiến về phía
suit (n): bộ đồ
service (n): sự phục vụ
→ enter the service: vào làm việc cho ai
tell oneself: tự bảo mình, tự nhủ
(tell - told - told)
servant (n): người hầu
Key Sentences
1 Many people crowded around him, patting him on the back.
2 I need someone who can fight like you.
3 Little John went with the Sheriff to his house and took his clothes and ate a large meal.
4 I will be the worst servant this Sheriff has ever had!
Two days passed. Little John did nothing but sleep most of the day and eat huge meals.1 The Sheriff’s cook became very angry with Little John. On the day of the butcher’s party, Little John, as usual, slept late. Halfway through the dinner, Little John woke up and felt hungry. He entered the kitchen, and the cook yelled at him to take some wine to the party.2 He took the wine and entered the banquet hall where he saw Robin Hood.
After the feast was over, Little John went back to the kitchen and then helped himself to a generous portion of meat, wine, and cheese.3 He had just sat down when the cook came into the kitchen.
The two men watched each other carefully for a minute. Then they began fighting. To Little John’s surprise, the cook was very good with a sword.
Key Words
huge (adj): lớn, khổng lồ
cook (n): đầu bếp
as usual: như thường lệ
halfway (adj): nửa chừng
yell at (v): la hét
banquet hall (n): phòng yến tiêc
feast (n): bữa tiệc
be over (v): kết thúc, xong
help oneself to: tự mình làm
generous (adj): thịnh soạn
portion (n): khẩu phần thức ăn
to one’s surprise: làm ai ngạc nhiên, sửng sốt
Key Sentences
1 Little John did nothing but sleep most of the day and eat huge meals.
2 He entered the kitchen, and the cook yelled at him to take some wine to the party.
3 After the feast was over, Little John went back to the kitchen and then helped himself to a generous portion of meat, wine, and cheese.
For a full hour they fought. They made a mess in the kitchen. Finally, Little John said, “You are the best swordsman I have ever seen. What do you say if we take a little rest?”
The cook agreed. After drinking some wine, both men grinned at each other.
“And now, Reynold Greenleaf,” said the cook. “Let’s finish our fight.”
“Right,” said Little John. “But first tell me. Why are we fighting?”
“To see who is better with the sword,” said the cook. “I must say, I thought I would beat you easily.”
“So did I,” replied Little John. “Right now, I think my master and I would like to have you join us.1 You can use your blade better in his service than the Sheriff’s.”2
“And who might your master be?” asked the cook.
At that moment, one of the butchers entered the kitchen.
“I am his master,” said the butcher. “And my name is Robin Hood.”
The cook was amazed. Here was Robin Hood in the Sheriff’s house!
Check up
Based on the story, write down “T” if true or “F” if false.
a. The two men wanted to take a rest. ____
b. Little John liked the cook because he cooked well. ____
Key Words & Sentences
mess (n): tình trạng hỗn độn
swordsman (n): kiếm sĩ
what do you say if...?: Anh có phiền không nếu...?
take a rest: nghỉ ngơi
grin (v): cười toe toét
(grin - grinned - grinned)
master (n): thủ lĩnh
blade (n): lưỡi (kiếm)
amazed (adj): kinh ngạc, sửng sốt
1 Right now, I think my master and I would like to have you join us.
2 You can use your blade better in his service than the Sheriff’s.
“By God, you are a brave fellow,” said the cook. “I have heard many stories about you, and this proves you are a great outlaw.1 But who is this tall fellow who serves you?”
“My name is Little John,” said Reynold Greenleaf.
“Well then, Little John, or Reynold Greenleaf, and you too, Robin Hood. I like you both. I would enter your service gladly,”2 said the cook.
“Welcome to the Merry Men,” said Robin. “Now I must go back to my bed before my disguise is ruined.3 I will see you both in Sherwood tomorrow.”
When Robin left, Little John said, “We should leave the Sheriff’s house tonight. Let’s take some food, wine, and the Sheriff’s silverware.”
“That’s a good plan,” said the cook. They filled up two large sacks. Then they went out of Nottingham and into Sherwood Forest.
Check up
Based on the story, write down “T” if true or “F” if false.
a. The cook decided to join Robin’s band. ____
b. Robin would stay in the Sheriff’s house a few more days. ____
Key Words & Sentences
by God: có Chúa biết
brave (adj): can đảm
be ruined: bị phá hỏng
silverware (n): đồ làm bằng bạc
fill up (v): lấy đầy
sack (n): bao tải
1 I have heard many stories about you, and this proves you are a great outlaw.
2 I would enter your service gladly.
3 Now I must go back to my bed before my disguise is ruined.
The next morning, the Sheriff spoke to Robin over breakfast.
“I am eager to see your cows.”
“Right,” said Robin. “Let’s be on our way.”
Robin and the Sheriff left Nottingham. Robin was driving his butcher’s wagon, and the Sheriff was riding a horse.1 Eight of the Sheriff’s men were riding behind them.
After riding for a couple of hours, they came to a wide meadow in the woods.2 On this meadow were five hundred of the King’s deer. Robin pulled his cart to a stop.
“This is my herd,” said Robin. “Are they not fat and beautiful?”
The Sheriff was confused.
“Now fellow,” he said. “You had better explain yourself.”
In answer, Robin pulled his horn out from under his cloak.3 He blew three sharp blasts. In a second, forty Merry Men stepped from the trees.
Key Words
ride (v): cưỡi (ngựa)
(ride - rode - ridden)
wide (adj): rộng lớn
meadow (n): đồng cỏ
herd (n): đàn, bầy (vật nuôi)
fat (adj): mập mạp
confused (adj): băn khoăn, bối rối
explain (v): giải thích
in answer: để trả lời
sharp (adj): rõ ràng, rền vang
blast (n): tiếng kèn
Key Sentences
1 Robin was driving his butcher’s wagon, and the Sheriff was riding a horse.
2 After riding for a couple of hours, they came to a wide meadow in the woods.
3 In answer, Robin pulled his horn out from under his cloak.
One of the Merry Men came running up and grabbed the bridle of the Sheriff’s horse.
“Hello, my former master,” said Little John.
“Reynold Greenleaf!” said the Sheriff. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to invite you to dinner tonight,” said Little John. “My master Robin Hood would like you to join him.”
Little John looked at the butcher and smiled.
“It’s true,” said Robin. “I am Robin Hood. You thought you would trick a foolish butcher out of his cows.1 Now you are the one who has been tricked. Tell your men to go back to their homes. Or they will be shot full of arrows before they can draw their swords.”2
The Sheriff told his men to leave. As soon as they were gone, the Merry Men led the Sheriff into the forest. Finally, they came into a large clearing under a huge tree. A large fire was burning, and over it were several pieces of juicy meat from the King’s deer.
Key Words
bridle (n): dây cương
former (adj): cũ
would like A to: muốn A làm gì
trick (v): đánh lừa
tell A to: nói A làm gì
draw (v): rút ra
(draw - drew - drawn)
clearing (n): khoảng rừng trống
burn (v): cháy
juicy (adj): ngon lành, hấp dẫn
Key Sentences
1 You thought you would trick a foolish butcher out of his cows.
2 Or they will be shot full of arrows before they can draw their swords.
The Merry Men treated the Sheriff politely as if he were an important guest.1
“Sit here on my cloak,” said one to the Sheriff. “We have prepared games and contests for your amusement.”
Never in all his life did the sheriff see such fine displays of archery, sword fighting, or staff fighting.2 After the contests, the Merry Men sang songs and told jokes while they ate dinner.
It would have been a great experience for the Sheriff except for three things.3 First, he was a prisoner of his enemy. Second, he recognized his valued cook as he prepared dinner. Third and finally, he was sad to see that his meal was handed to him on his own silver plate!4
Check up
What is NOT one of the three things?
a. The Sheriff is Robin’s hostage.
b. The Sheriff’s men are poor at using the longbow.
c. The Sheriff’s silver plates were taken away.
Key Words & Sentences
politely (adv): một cách lịch sự
amusement (n): trò tiêu khiển
display (n): màn biểu diễn
experience (n): kinh nghiệm
except for: ngoại trừ
prisoner (n): tù nhân
valued (adj): quý giá
hand (v): chuyền tay, chuyển cho
plate (n): cái dĩa
1 The Merry Men treated the Sheriff politely as if he were an important guest.
2 Never in all his life did the Sheriff see such fine displays of archery, sword fighting, or staff fighting.
3 It would have been a great experience for the Sheriff except for three things.
4 Third and finally, he was sad to see that his meal was handed to him on his own silver plate!
Sadly, the Sheriff said to Robin, “No doubt you plan to kill me. Why do you torture me like this?”
“Fear not, Sheriff,” said Robin. “We will let you live. But you must promise not to harm any outlaw in Sherwood Forest.”1
The Sheriff thought for a moment and then said, “Okay. I promise that I will not disturb or seek to arrest the outlaws in Sherwood.”
Robin and his men raised their wine glasses and said, “Cheers!”
Then Robin took the sheriff back along the winding path to the road that led to Nottingham.2 At the edge of the forest, he said, “Farewell, Sheriff. I hope that you have enjoyed this evening’s feast. The next time you hire a servant, make sure he is not hiring you!3 And the next time you plan to cheat a foolish, rich butcher, make sure he is not cheating you!”
Then Robin Hood hit the back of the Sheriff’s horse. The animal galloped away, carrying a very embarrassed Sheriff.
Key Words
no doubt: không nghi ngờ
torture (v): hành hạ, tra tấn
fear (v): sợ hãi
harm (v): làm hại
disturb (v): quấy rầy
seek (v): tìm kiếm
raise (v): nâng
cheers!: Chúc sức khỏe!
winding (adj): quanh co, vòng vèo
path (n): con đường nhỏ, đường mòn
edge (n): bìa (rừng)
farewell (n): lời chào tạm biệt
hire (v): thuê mướn
cheat (v): lừa, gạt
gallop (v): phi nước đại
embarrassed (adj): lúng túng, ngượng ngùng
Key Sentences
1 But you must promise not to harm any outlaw in Sherwood Forest.
2 Then Robin took the Sheriff back along the winding path to the road that led to Nottingham.
3 The next time you hire a servant, make sure he is not hiring you!
Comprehension Quiz
A. Based on the story, mark “T” if true or “F” if false.
1. Little John was actually working for the Sheriff when he first met Robin Hood.
2. Little John pretended to be a beggar when he fought with Eric of Lincoln.
3. Little John was a good servant for the Sheriff.
4. Little John and the Sheriff’s cook became enemies in the end.
5. Robin Hood wanted to kill the Sheriff of Nottingham.
6. The Sheriff’s cook became Robin Hood’s cook.
B. Put the words in order to complete the sentences.
1. Now I must go back to my bed __________________.
(disguise, before, ruined, my, is)
2. One of the Merry Men came running up and _____________.
(Sheriff’s, grabbed, the, the, bridle, horse, of)
3. They will be shot full of arrows before __________________.
(draw, they, swords, can, their)
C. Choose the correct answers to the questions.
1. What did Little John and the cook not take away when they left?
(a) A couple of swords (b) The Sheriff’s silverware
(c) Some wine and food
2. Which statement best describes the kind of servant Little John was?
(a) He slept all day but patrolled the streets at night.
(b) He beat up the other servants and made them all terrified of him.
(c) He spent most of the day in bed and ate lots of food.
3. What lesson did Robin Hood teach the Sheriff?
(a) Not to cheat others (b) Not to be arrogant
(c) To trust his servants
D. Put the sentences in order.
1. Little John entered the Sheriff’s service.
2. Little John fought with the Sheriff’s cook.
3. Eric of Lincoln was beaten by Little John.
4. Robin Hood entered the Sheriff’s kitchen.
5. Little John left the house of the Sheriff at night.