PAST
SIMPLE
The Knight and the Trader
A long time ago, there (1) a large kingdom, full of interesting people, animals and things. One day, a knight (2) to the kingdom. He was dressed in all black and white. He (3) very strong.
The knight came to the main town. He (4) in the market square. He (5) to purchase something special. The square was big and full of people, with many products for sale. He went to a dark corner of the market. There he (6) a trader, who (7) an unusual range of items. The knight (8) at the products.
'Hello, trader,' he said. 'I seek a potion for strength. Do you have any?' The trader (9) around him nervously. 'I don't have any here. There is not much these days β it's hard to find. But I can make you some, at great cost.' 'I have gold. I require two potions for strength. How long will it take?' 'Come back this evening. They'll be ready.' The knight (10) and walked away.
The knight walked across the square. People looked at him β they did not know him. However, the knight was famous. He was an independent fighter. His name was Lars. Lars (11) from kingdom to kingdom. He (12) many men. He often fought for kings.
was
came
looked
stopped
wanted
found
had
looked
paused
nodded
travelled
fought
What's really in that potion?
- Why do you think the knight wants a "potion for strength"?
- What do you think is really inside the potion?
- Do you trust the trader? Why, or why not?
- Was six pieces of gold a fair price, in your opinion?
Lars and King Andur
| Wh-word | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What | a thing | What did Lars give the guard? |
| Where | a place | Where did Lars go? |
| Who | a person | Who did Lars meet? |
| Why | a reason | Why did the guards look suspicious? |
| How many | a number | How many guards stopped him? |
Lars crossed a stone bridge. He arrived at the castle door. Then two guards stopped him. 'Who are you?' asked one of the guards. 'My name is Lars. I want to see the king.' 'You can't. Now leave.'
Lars took a few steps back, put his bag down, and took an old scroll from it. He gave it to the guard. 'Look at this scroll. It is from the king,' said Lars. The guard looked at the scroll. It looked official, and it had the king's mark. 'Fine,' the guard said. 'Come in.'
He walked into a large room and waited. Several guards were there, looking at him suspiciously. Soon, the king entered. His name was Andur. He was dressed completely in purple. Purple was the colour of kings. He wore gold around his arms and neck. 'Are you Lars?' King Andur asked. 'I am,' answered Lars. He held up the scroll. 'I want to speak with you.' 'Come with me,' said the king.
King Andur took Lars into a smaller room. 'Thank you for coming,' the king said. 'I see you received my message.' 'Yes. I've also heard that you require help.' 'You need someone to carry a load of gold. It must go to your brother Arthuren. You need a man you can trust. I am that man.'
The king thought for several minutes. 'And why should I trust you?' 'I have helped you before. I will not betray you now.' 'This is a lot of gold.' 'I don't need gold. I have gold.' 'Then why are you here?' 'I like to travel and discover new things.' At last, the king said, 'OK, Lars. Take the gold to my brother. I'll tell my guards.' 'Thank you, King Andur.' 'Don't thank me yet. First I must hear from Arthuren that the gold has arrived. Then you will get your own gold.'
Lars walked over to the guards. 'So, you're taking the gold to Arthuren's kingdom?' one asked, laughing. 'There are many dangers on the road. You'll never make it!' Then he became serious. 'Men,' he called, 'prepare the gold. It leaves tomorrow.'
That evening, the knight returned to the trader. 'Do you have my potions?' he asked. 'Yes β here they are. That will be six pieces of gold.' The knight paid, took the potions, and walked away.
The next day, three guards joined Lars for the journey to Arthuren's kingdom. The main guard was named Alfred. 'Before we leave,' he said, 'I must tell you something. This gold is not your property. If you try to take it, we will kill you.' 'That's good to know,' said Lars, smiling. Alfred looked Lars directly in the eye. 'It's not funny. It's true.' 'I understand. Now let's leave.' The horses began to move, and Lars and the guards began to walk.
Two guards stopped him.
An old scroll.
Purple, and gold around his arms and neck.
A load of gold.
Because he said, 'I have gold.'
That the gold had arrived.
Six pieces of gold.
Three.
Alfred.
That they would kill him if he tried to take the gold.
Into the Silent Woods
Lars and the guards followed the Northern Road, with the horses and the wagon of gold behind them.
'Lars, what is along the way?' asked Alfred, the main guard.
'It's very dangerous,' replied Lars.
'There are dangerous men and animals on this road β we'll try not to fight.'
'Do you fight well?'
'I'm well known for my skill. I can fight very well.'
'I hope so,' said Alfred.
Soon they came to a big stone bridge, very similar to the one at King Andur's castle. 'This bridge is very similar to the castle bridge,' said Alfred. 'Yes. The people of your kingdom built it, a long time ago, for a reason I will not tell you now,' said Lars.
They crossed the bridge into a big wood, full of trees but with no animals β completely silent. 'We are in the Silent Woods. There aren't any animals here,' Lars explained. 'A long time ago there was a great battle here, between King Andur and his brother.' Alfred was surprised β he didn't know about the battle. He had always thought the two brothers trusted each other. 'I thought they never fought,' he said.
Lars laughed. 'Well, they did β but that was many years ago.' The woods were dark, the trees tall, and daylight barely reached the ground. 'Do you know where we're going?' Alfred asked. 'Yes. I've been here before, a long time ago.' It had been one of the biggest battles in history. Before it, the woods were called the Animal Woods β after the battle, the Silent Woods.
'When I was younger, I fought for King Andur β I was in that battle,' Lars said. 'What was it for?' 'King Andur wanted a fountain in the woods.' 'What kind of fountain?' 'Wait and see,' was all Lars said. They walked in silence for an hour β only trees and silence, nothing more. At last the group came to a lake. 'We've arrived,' said Lars. 'A long time ago, this lake was a fountain. The fountain from the battle.'
True.
False β it was very similar.
False β there were no animals at all.
False β he didn't know about the battle.
True.
There was
There were
There were
The Magic Fountain
They walked to the lake. 'A long time ago, there was a fountain here,' said Lars. 'The original water was magic β if you drank it, it gived you special powers. If a person drank the water, he or she became very strong.' Alfred drank some. 'It tastes normal,' he said. 'Of course. It's normal now β it was magic a long time ago.'
'So why isn't the water magic now?' Lars explained: both King Andur and King Arthuren wanted the fountain and race to the woods β when they met, the fighting started. Both kings called in their soldiers, and the battle went on for months. The men drank as much water as they could, bathed in it, and took it all. Soon the water became foul β it could no longer be used.
'After some time, the fountain dried up. The rains creates the lake β but it wasn't magic water.' 'So that was the end of it?' 'Not quite,' said Lars. 'Arthuren saved a small amount, and he knows a secret β you can make more magic water, if you have some of the original and time.' 'So that's the secret β¦' 'Well, that's part of it. Let's leave these woods.'
They soon left the woods. The sun was out, and they had a beautiful view of the countryside. 'We're nearly at Arthuren's castle,' said Lars. 'It's good we didn't run into any dangers.' 'Are there really dangers in those woods?' asked Alfred. 'Yes β that's why we travelled in the day. They mostly come out at night.' 'Why didn't you told me?' 'I didn't think you would come,' said Lars, laughing.
Soon they could see a town with a large castle. 'Is this it?' asked Alfred. 'Yes β Arthuren's castle. We're taking the gold there.' 'There's something I haven't asked you,' said Alfred. 'What's this gold for? Is it a tax?' 'King Andur lose the battle of the Silent Woods, so he must pay his brother in gold every five years β for more magic water, to keep his people happy. Like these two potions here.' Lars took out the potions. 'Do they really work?' 'They do,' said Lars, 'but only if they're made from real magic water. Come now. It's time to go.'
Because during the battle the men used and dirtied all the water.
They became very strong.
Both Andur and Arthuren.
The fountain dried up, and the rains created the lake.
How to make more magic water β using some original water and time.
To pay/buy magic water β a kind of tax after losing the battle.
To make strength potions.
Because the dangers mostly come out at night.
Because he didn't think Alfred would come.
Only if they are made from real magic water.
You are Alfred. Keep asking.
- Ask Lars why he never told anyone about the battle before.
- Ask how Arthuren can make more magic water.
- Ask what will happen if Arthuren has no water left to sell.
- Ask how many times King Andur has paid this "tax" before.
Into Arthuren's Kingdom
Lars, Alfred and the guards walked towards Arthuren's castle. 'How are we going to get in?' asked Alfred. 'Through the front door,' Lars laughed β then gave him a strange look. Something feels wrong, thought Alfred. They walked through fields and countryside, passing many farmers who lived outside the castle's walls. They grew food to feed the kingdom.
One farmer stopped them. 'Where are you going?' 'To the castle β we must see the king.' The farmer's wife came over. 'Who are these men?' she whispered. Her husband didn't answer. 'I see your horses are carrying a load,' the farmer said. 'King Andur sent us. He has given us an important task.' 'I hope nothing bad has happened?' he asked, with concern. 'No, don't worry. Everything is fine,' said Lars with a smile. The farmer went back to work.
Alfred turned to Lars. 'It seemed like they were frightened,' he said. 'They were.' 'Why?' 'Because there is a secret β only people in this kingdom know, and they want to keep it safe.' Lars didn't answer further questions.
Soon they came to a stone bridge near the castle β again similar to the one at King Andur's. A guard came over. 'Are you King Andur's men?' 'Yes, I represent the king,' answered Alfred. 'Is that the gold?' 'Yes,' said Lars. 'OK, you may pass.' Alfred looked at Lars in surprise β he seemed to know this kingdom very well. The guard gave a sign to open the door.
They walked into the market square, full of people. 'I know this place,' said Alfred, puzzled. 'It's similar to King Andur's,' Lars explained. 'The two kingdoms were joined once, before the great battle. Now they have no social contact at all.' The castle itself was almost identical too. Lars and Alfred went to see King Arthuren. 'Welcome to my kingdom!' the king called out. 'Good afternoon, Your Majesty,' replied Lars.
πΌοΈ Picture AStorybook illustration, close two-shot on a country path: Alfred (the guard captain β sturdy build, short reddish-brown hair, brown leather guard armour with a red-and-grey cloak) looks troubled and curious, watching Lars closely; Lars (a lean, weathered knight β short dark hair, wearing his black-and-white checkered armour beneath a travel-worn cloak) meets his gaze with a calm but guarded, secretive expression and stays silent; small farmhouses and fields fade into a blurred background; a quiet, tense mood β the feeling that something is being hidden; medieval fantasy setting; muted colours; late-afternoon light; digital painting.
πΌοΈ Picture BStorybook illustration, wide aerial-leaning landscape shot: Lars (in his black-and-white checkered knight's armour) and Alfred (the guard captain, in brown leather armour with a red-and-grey cloak), together with two more guards, are TINY figures on a dirt road cutting through a huge patchwork of green farm fields; thin trails of smoke rise from a couple of distant farmhouses; Arthuren's stone castle is a small silhouette on the horizon; bright warm midday sunlight, long shadows on the grass; medieval fantasy setting; digital painting; the landscape dominates the frame, the people are small.
πΌοΈ Picture CStorybook illustration, GRAND INTERIOR shot: King Arthuren, in rich purple-and-gold royal robes, opens his arms in welcome as Lars (black-and-white checkered knight's armour, dusty from the road) and Alfred (brown leather guard armour, red-and-grey cloak) step into a torchlit castle hall; tall stone columns, hanging banners, warm flickering torchlight; medieval fantasy setting; digital painting; warm golden-orange palette, formal and regal mood β very different from the daylight countryside scenes.
πΌοΈ Picture DStorybook illustration, eye-level MEDIUM shot on a dusty dirt road: a worried farmer plants himself in the travellers' path with a raised hand, his wife leaning in close beside him to whisper; facing them, Lars (a lean, weathered knight in his black-and-white checkered armour, dusty from travel, calm expression) and Alfred (the guard captain, sturdy, short reddish-brown hair, brown leather guard armour with a red-and-grey cloak) stand with two more guards and two heavily-loaded horses behind; overcast, dusty midday light, muted browns and greys; medieval village setting; digital painting; the farmer's tense posture fills the foreground.
πΌοΈ Picture EStorybook illustration, DRAMATIC LOW-ANGLE shot: a heavily-armoured castle guard stands atop a tall stone bridge, spear catching the light, blocking Lars (black-and-white checkered knight's armour) and Alfred (brown leather guard armour, red-and-grey cloak) and their horse-drawn cart loaded with gold; the massive stone bridge and castle gate tower over the scene; deep blue-orange evening sky, long dramatic shadows; medieval fantasy setting; digital painting; the architecture dominates, the travellers are small against it.
Something feels wrong.
- Where are you going, and why?
- What's in the wagon?
- Did the king really send you?
The Secret
'Lars, it's really you! I'm so happy to see you.' 'I'm happy to see you too, Your Majesty.' Alfred didn't understand β how did Lars and the king know each other? '' 'Yes, it's yours.' 'Excellent β we can start our plan.' Alfred looked surprised. Lars took out the strength potions and gave them to Arthuren, who carefully measured the amounts. '' Alfred asked.
Then Lars spoke. 'I must tell you something, Alfred. This kingdom ran out of magic water a long time ago.' 'What? ' 'No, he doesn't.' 'But we must tell him!' 'These are some of the last potions for strength,' Lars said. 'There is no more magic water. We might be able to make more from them, instead of original water. It might work.' Alfred was furious. ' You betrayed me, Lars! You betrayed King Andur!'
'Yes, I lied β but to maintain peace,' said Lars. 'I want no blood on my hands.' '' replied Alfred. 'If Andur finds out there's no magic water, the result will be war. King Andur will attack Arthuren.' '' 'Yes β just to keep the peace. If we can.'
'' Lars explained: normally they mix pure magic water with normal water to make more. 'But there is no more pure magic water. We will try to make it from these potions instead. Maybe it will work.' 'Maybe? Maybe?' cried Alfred. '' Lars was silent. King Arthuren answered: 'If the potion does not work, then the battle at the Silent Woods was not the last one.' There will be war.
c β a farmer.
b β is similar to King Andur's.
c β know each other.
c β two potions for strength.
a β the kingdom has no more magic water.
There will be war β King Andur will attack Arthuren.
Listen and write
Lars was really an old friend of King Arthuren.
The gold was not a normal gift. It was a secret payment.
Arthuren had no more magic water.
Lars gave Arthuren two potions for strength.
Alfred felt angry and betrayed.
Lars wanted to protect the peace between the two kingdoms.
They tried to make magic water from the potions.
If the plan failed, there would be war.
Lars was really an old friend of King Arthuren. The gold was not a normal gift. It was a secret payment. Arthuren had no more magic water. Lars gave Arthuren two potions for strength. Alfred felt angry and betrayed. Lars wanted to protect the peace between the two kingdoms. They tried to make magic water from the potions. If the plan failed, there would be war.
This audio uses a synthetic voice (text-to-speech) β no original recording exists for this graded reader. Good for dictation practice; for natural pronunciation modelling, keep using the teacher's voice and the roleplays in this lesson.
Alfred has a choice. So do you.
There is no more magic water. Only Alfred, Lars and King Arthuren know this secret. Press play, listen to the announcer. Then turn the page and choose.
This is an original continuation written for this activity β not part of Olly Richards' book. The real story ends on the previous page, unresolved on purpose.
