Prose : 7th std: Lesson 1 : Adventures of Don Quixote

Once upon a time, in a village called La Mancha, in Spain, there
lived a man who loved to read about knights. Every day he would read
about courageous knights and the incredible adventures they had. He was so absorbed
in these stories that he hardly remembered to eat or sleep.
The days of Knights and Squires, of exciting adventures and romances come alive in
the hilarious account of Don Quixote's travels. As years passed, Don Quixote imagines
himself placed in the world of knights. He convinces Sancho Panza, a peasant from the
same village, to be his squire. And together they set out to seek their fortune, Don
Quixote eager to be the best chivalrous knight. This delightful story of chivalry is all fun
and pleasure, laughter and excitement, farce and suspense.
Quixote : Sancho, how would you like to become my servant, and accompany me
on a great adventure?
Sancho : Your servant?
Quixote : Yes, if you serve me faithfully and honestly, I will reward you with an
island.
Sancho : An island? Are you serious?
Quixote : I vow it upon my honour as a knight! So, will you come with me?
Sancho : Yes Master. I will come with you.
[The two men set out on a journey together. On the hill in front of them, they could
see a large old windmill. When he saw it, Don Quixote’s eyes began to sparkle.]
Quixote : Look Sancho, how dare that hideous ogre block our path?
Sancho : What!? An ogre? Where, Master?
Quixote : Right there! Don’t you see that awful creature waving its four arms?
Sancho : But Master…that’s a windmill.
Quixote : I tell you these are ogres; and if you are afraid of them, go aside and say
your prayers, while I engage them in combat.
Sancho : Master, that’s a windmill!
[Unfortunately, Sancho’s shouts and warnings pass unheard. Don Quixote and
Rocinante charge the windmill at full speed.]
Quixote : Huh? Prepare to face my spear, Ogre!
[With that, Don Quixote fly towards the windmill and collid with it.]
Sancho : Master, are you alright? See? I told you it was just a windmill. Did I not
give you a fair warning? Did I not tell you that they were but windmills?
Quixote : Look Sancho! The ogre is more seriously wounded than I am!
[In fact, the windmill is working perfectly fine. Sancho does his best to dissuade Don
Quixote from attempting anything else reckless.]
Sancho : Ha haha. Oh, you are absolutely right. You are a great knight indeed,
and you have defeated the fearsome windmill beast!
[After hitting his head on the windmill,Don Quixote become even more disoriented.]
Quixote : Listen to me, Sancho, someday people will write of our great exploits.
Our names will live on in the memories of generations to come. But we
must prove worthy of that honour by vanquishing villains and upholding
justice. Do you understand?
Sancho : Yes, Master.
[As Don Quixote and Sancho pass a farm, they see a thick cloud of dust appear.
Don tells him that here is undoubtedly a prodigious army marching in their direction.]
Sancho : O Sir! what must we do?
Sancho : Oh, no. Master, listen very carefully, they are not welcoming us, they are
mocking you.
Quixote : Sancho, Sancho, when will you see the truth?
Sancho : Enough is enough. Please Master.
Quixote : Very well, we shall speak no more of this today. But we need more
adventures Sancho.
Sancho : Yes Master. We need more adventures.
[Return to his estate Don Quixote realize that all his adventures were simply a
product of his imagination. Don Quixote never embarrass himself further by going on
any more quests but his house will always be full of children to whom he would tell the
most fantastic stories about Knights, Squires and Noble quests.
They lived happily together going on many more adventures in their imagination.]