Don Quixote Learn English through story level 3
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the beijing foreign languages audio
visual publishing house
beijing foreign studies university
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don quixote
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chapter one a gentleman from la mancha
in the spanish village of la mancha
there lived a gentleman who loved to
read
his favorite stories were of knights and
their code of chivalry
full of dragons magic swords enchanted
forests and damsels in distress
this gentleman was not a wealthy man but
rather a hidalgo
a hidalgo was a landowner who was richer
than a peasant but poorer than a
nobleman
his name was senor quijano
senor quijano lived modestly with his
housekeeper and his young niece
he was a tall thin man in his 50s he was
a strong and healthy man who went
hunting every morning
however he started to read adventure
stories all the time
his best friends the local priest and
the village barber were worried their
friend suddenly began spending night and
day in his chair reading adventure books
through crazed bloodshot eyes
soon he started thinking these stories
were true
finally he went completely crazy
[Music]
waking up in his reading chair one
morning senor quijano announced
i’m going to become a knight errant a
what
asked his concerned niece
a knight errant is a writer of wrongs a
friend to the unfortunate a rescuer of
fair maidens and a killer of dragons
but uncle
she cried
there are no dragons in spain
and who are these maidens who need
rescuing
the old man went to the attic of his
house and found a rusty old suit of
armor he put the suit on and felt ready
for action
in a bold voice he announced
now to my faithful steed
this steed was really a worn out nag but
to his delusional eyes it was a valiant
war horse
i name you rosinante queen of the hacks
and i will call myself
he took a moment to think of the perfect
name don quixote
[Music]
now i must dedicate my life to a lady
do you know a lady
sobbed the man’s niece frightened by his
insane ramblings
all knights know a lady
the man replied
when i conquer a giant or capture a
villain
i’ll parade them in front of her to
prove my love and loyalty
then he remembered stories he had heard
of a beautiful peasant girl from the
nearby village of el toboso
having lost his grip on reality he
decided that she was a lonely princess
what’s her name
demanded his niece hoping to bring him
to his senses
quickly he invented a name
all of the sweetest ladies are named
dulcinea her name is dulcinea del toboso
and to her i dedicate my life
don’t try to stop me i must go then he
picked up his sword a cracked old lance
and a leather shield and marched out to
the stable
a few minutes later he rode out in
search of his first nightly adventure
don quixote soon realized that he had
not been knighted
i must find a lord or lady to dub me a
knight
he said
i don’t want to be called a fraud
[Music]
all day don quixote rode the scorching
plane searching for adventure but
nothing happened by sunset he and
rosinante were hungry and tired
in the fading light the armored man saw
an inn and rode toward it perhaps we’ll
find shelter at that castle
he said to his horse
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the inn was of the common shabby type
found along the highways of spain in
front of the inn were two dirty-faced
peasant girls who watched in shock as
this man in rusty armor approached them
good evening fair maidens
he said
i am the night don quixote de la mancha
please summon a trumpeter to announce my
arrival
in his eyes this old inn was a great
castle with tall silver towers
don quixote became annoyed when the
girls just giggled
but at this moment a pig handler stepped
out of the inn and blew his horn to
round up his grunting animals for the
night
don quixote mistook the sound of the
horm for a chorus of pipes and trumpets
[Music]
then the innkeeper came to the night
if you’re looking for a bed for the
night i’m sorry to tell you that we’re
all full
sire are you the master of this castle
ask don quixote politely
looking at this man in his rusty armor
the innkeeper realized that he was
obviously crazy
the innkeeper decided to have some fun
with this loon
all of the royal apartments in my castle
are full
that’s okay
replied don quixote
a good night has no need for comfort
i’ll be happy to sleep on the ground
with a rock for a pillow
you’re a knight aren’t you
the innkeeper asked mischievously
i am an apprentice knight
replied don quixote
i seek a kind lord who will dub me a
knight with his sword
i see
said the innkeeper
but i’m busy now caring for my other
guests i’ll be back to you when i get a
chance
thank you my lord
replied don quixote
[Music]
after some rest don quixote grew
impatient and sent for the innkeeper
when the innkeeper stumbled out don
quixote said
lord i can wait no longer please tell me
what good deed i must do to earn my
knighthood
the innkeeper said
if you want me to knight you stay here
and guard my courtyard tonight
with that he turned and stomped off to
the kitchen
don quixote picked up his weapons and
walked to the middle of the courtyard
next to a water trough
inside the innkeeper told his guests
about the madman who thought he was a
knight in the courtyard
a few hours later amuleteer approached
the trough with his animals
stand back foolish knight
shouted don quixote
i will defend this magic well to the
death
but my mules need water cried the
peasant as he pushed past don quixote
swinging his lance don quixote hit the
man on the head and knocked him out
i have done my first good deed
exclaimed don quixote
when this man awakes i must send him to
my lady dulcinea to pay his respects
[Music]
alarmed by the noise the other mueller
tears rushed out of the inn and attacked
don quixote
a swarm of evil knights attacks me
cried don quixote as he blocked their
flying stones with his shield the
innkeeper realized that he needed to get
rid of this dangerous screwball
dear knight
he said to don quixote
forgive these evil knights and put down
your weapons
you have proved your courage i will dub
you a night without delay kneel down
obediently don quixote knelt amid the
straw and dung of the yard
i hereby appoint you to the order of
righteous knights
cried the innkeeper smacking don quixote
across the back with his own sword
don quixote jumped to his feet excitedly
my lord i owe you everything
yes yes
replied the innkeeper
now you must go off on your good deed
doing and wrong writing
at once
cried don quixote who hurried to the
stable mounted rocinante and rode out
into the dawn of la mancha
shortly after don quixote spotted a
group of silk merchants coming toward
him on the road
here is an opportunity for gallantry
riding in front of the group he blocked
the road
halt cretins
none shall be allowed to pass without
proclaiming that my lady dulcinea del
toboso is the most beautiful maiden in
the world
the traitors stopped and looked at each
other
it was obvious to them that they were in
the presence of a madman
i want to see her first before i can
proclaim her beauty how do we know that
she’s not just some old sloppy chops
said the joker of the group
sloppy chops
scream don quixote
prepare to do battle you impudent knave
don quixote raised his lance and charged
the group but rosinante was not
accustomed to speed and stumbled
don quixote was thrown through the air
and landed in a ditch with a crash
the merchants went away laughing loudly
hours later a passing farmer heard a
whimper
he found don quixote in the ditch
covered in mud the farmer recognized him
as senior quijano from the village he
hurriedly picked up don quixote and
carried him home
there the knight was tucked safely into
his own bed
[Music]
chapter 2
knight and squire
for two weeks don quixote rested in his
house making everyone think he had
regained his sanity
but he had secretly sold some of his
land to finance his next adventure
he was also looking for a squire to
accompany him
the only man don quixote found who would
work for him was a fat little farmer
named sancho ponza he was a total dance
[Music]
this choir job sounds like hard work
said sancho
i’d rather be at home with my family
munching on a big plate of pork
sancho panza loved wine food and
afternoon naps more than anything else
but squires always receive great prizes
of golden land from the nights they
serve
promise don quixote
if you serve me you’ll surely end up as
the governor of some rich island
my own island
sancho repeated
licking his lips
okay i’ll grab my bags and saddle up my
donkey
then the two left in the middle of the
night without telling anyone
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by dawn the two men were in the middle
of a wide plane
squinting in the glare of the brilliant
sun don quixote saw 30 or 40 windmills
in the fields before them
sancho fortune is smiling upon us
he called
does that mean it’s time for breakfast
replied sancho
this is no time for eating you pig
look at those giants over there
i’ll kill every one of them our great
service will be remembered for centuries
what giants
cried sancho ponza
over there the ones with the long arms
but master those are windmills
don’t contradict me
scolded don quixote
i know an army of giants when i see them
don quixote spurred rosanante into a
gallop and raised his lance
giants prepare to fight
he shouted
charging into the nearest tower he
thrust the shaft of his lance into a
sweeping sail
the weapon shattered and the knight was
picked up off his horse and tossed into
the air
he landed with a great boom
50 meters away in a large puff of white
dust
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trotting over on his donkey sancho ponza
said
i told you they were windmills
you fool
said don quixote
when i charged those giants an evil
wizard flew by on an invisible horse and
cast a spell that changed them into
windmills to rob me of my glory
i see
said sancho believing every word as he
helped his master to his feet
don’t worry my squire i’ll find this
wizard and destroy him
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the next morning they began traveling
again without breakfast to sancho’s
dismay
an hour later they saw a large cloud of
dust in the distance
it must be two bloodthirsty armies in
battle
exclaimed don quixote
then he quickly described both of the
armies including the names of their
generals and fiercest knights which he
made up
how do we know that this isn’t just a
chick by those evil wizards
can’t you hear thousands of marching
feet
yell don quixote who raised his broken
lance and charged them
they’re not soldiers
cried sancho
it’s just a large flock of sheep
[Music]
the night began skewering the poor sheep
on the end of his lance
as soon as the shepherds saw him killing
their animals they began pelting him
with stones
a rock smashed the side of don quixote’s
face and knocked him off rosinante
those evil wizards
cried don quixote spitting out a mouth
full of blood and the chips of broken
teeth they’ve done it again
[Music]
in a nearby meadow the knight and the
squire found a place to rest for the
night
i’ll have dinner ready in a minute
said sancho
oh squire how can you think of eating in
the moment of my greatest despair
there’s nothing more important to me
than eating
sancho said devouring raw onion and
salami
what are you so sad about anyway
holding his throbbing head the knight
answered
the loss of half my ear and four teeth
saddens me
i’m not surprised there will be nothing
left of you in a week or two i’ve never
seen a man more miserable we should call
you the knight of the long face your
chin is almost scraping the ground
yes my squire that’s an excellent name
for such an unhappy night as myself
the two realized that they were thirsty
an hour later they located a stream in
the forest
as the sun began to set they heard a
terrible sound coming from within the
depths of the forest
this is an enchanted forest
ruled by a terrible ogre
i will find and destroy him with my
lightning lance
if i’m not back in three days
go to my lady dulcinea and tell her i
died valiantly in her honor
sancho panza was afraid to be left alone
so he slipped off his donkey and sneaked
under rosinante’s hind legs
there he tied a loop of rope to hold her
still
when don quixote tried to spur the nag
on she could not move
what magic is this boom don quixote
my steed is held still
oh it must be that evil wizard again
lied sancho
perhaps it would be better to destroy
the ogre in the morning
yes i will break this spell in the
morning
agree don quixote
[Music]
the two men spent the rest of the night
trembling in the forest for fear of the
terrible noise coming from down the
river
at dawn sancho slipped the rope from
rosinante’s hind legs when don quixote
mounted her she could walk
i’m free
exclaimed the night happily
then they set off to search for the ogre
but when they found the source of the
terrible crashing sound it wasn’t an
ogre but an old water machine clanking
away under the power of a waterfall
sancho panza began laughing at don
quixote’s newest folly
we just spent the night trembling in
fear of this
he laughed
[Music]
the night of the long face was even more
miserable after this failed adventure
but late that afternoon he saw something
that lifted his spirits
look sancho do you see that knight
riding toward us
i see a man on a donkey
replied sancho
that night is horatio the brave and his
helmet is the most valuable on earth
i think that’s a barber’s wash basin on
his head
no it’s a solid gold battle helmet i
will challenge him and win it
[Music]
don quixote shouted
surrender your helmet horatio or i’ll
spear you with my lance
i have no helmet
cried the man
i’m just a barber this brass basin is
for my work i put it on my head because
it was raining
do you expect me to believe that
scuff don quixote drawing his sword
don quixote snatched the basin from the
man and placed it on his head
the visor is missing and someone has
tried to melt the gold off but i shall
wear it with pride
sancho tried not to giggle at the sight
of don quixote with the wash basin on
his head
later they came to a line of a dozen men
with heavy chains around their necks and
hands
four soldiers herded them cursing and
lashing them with whips
prisoners
said sancho
off to row the king’s boat
i don’t believe it
said don quixote these unfortunate men
are being held against their will
it is my duty to rescue them
master
said sancho with alarm
these men are terrible criminals they
must pay for their crimes
move aside
commanded one of the soldiers
these men are vulnerable and needy
said don quixote
as a night errant i offer them
protection
[Laughter]
this crazy old fool is out of his mind
laughed the sergeant
he’s got a wash basin on his head
as the other soldiers laughed don
quixote smashed the sergeant over the
head with his lance and knocked him
unconscious
the other soldiers attacked him but the
convicts attacked them
faster one of the convicts stole the
keys from the sergeant’s pocket and
unlocked the other criminals
the convicts overtook the soldiers
easily
my friends
cried don quixote
i have given you freedom
all i ask in return is that you go to
the village of el tobosso and testify of
my courage to my mistress
is as crazy as a coconut yelled one of
the convicts
grab him
the convicts attacked don quixote and
sancho ponza and beat them they robbed
their saddlebags and cracked don
quixote’s basin on a rock before running
away
sancho ponza cried
now we’re going to be in big trouble
we’ll be wanted men the holy brotherhood
police will be after us
[Music]
chapter 3
the giant killer
[Music]
to escape from the holy brotherhood don
quixote and sancho panza fled into the
mountains they traveled high up to a
desolate lonely country of the sierra
mourinho range
all great men go through a period of
despair when they question everything
they believe in don quixote said
he turned to his hungry squire
i am sending you to el toboso with a
message of my love for dulcinea
she must tell me whether she can return
my love or not
i will stay here and whoop myself until
you return
all sancho could think about was the
feast he was going to eat as soon as he
got back to a village
ride quickly sancho panza
commanded don quixote as he took off his
armor
then he smashed himself in the chest
with a large rock and began to beat
himself on the back with a tree branch
riding away from the strange scene
sancho called to his master
don’t overdo it or there’ll be nothing
left of you before i can return
halfway to the village sancho stopped at
an inn for the feast he had been waiting
for
as he approached the door after his big
meal he came face to face with don
quixote’s old friends
the priest and the barber
hey
you work for our troubled friend seeing
your kihano don’t you
the priest said to sancho
it’s true i am his squire
how can you believe his nonsense don’t
you realize he has lost his mind
there have been some strange things
happening
replied sancho
where is he now
demanded the barber
he’s in the mountains waiting for me to
return with an answer from his mistress
the lady dulcinea del toboso
her answer to what
asked the priest
something about love
answered sancho
take us to him we have to bring him back
to the village with us
said the priest
i will but i warn you he’ll never come
back with you
hmm
said the barber
i have a plan i’ll be back in a minute
shortly after the barber came back with
two dresses from the innkeeper’s wife
[Music]
the three traveled back to the mountains
that night they camped and discussed the
details of their plan
in the morning sancho went off to find
don quixote and tell him about the
ladies in need of help
meanwhile the priest and the barber put
on the dresses and began cooking bacon
over the fire for their breakfast
as they ate and talked they saw a
beautiful woman passing by
we must show ourselves at once
said the priest
they stepped out to meet her
the girl screamed when she saw them and
tried to run away
do not fear us
shouted the priest
i am a man of god if you’re a priest why
are you wearing that dress
she questioned
it’s a long story
he replied
by the way why are you wandering these
hills
asked the barber
the beautiful young girl then told her
sad story
my name is dorothea i am the daughter of
a wealthy farmer
i was to be married to the duke’s son
ferdinando
but he left me for another woman
i was so brokenhearted that i came here
to cry away the rest of my days
[Music]
then the priest had an idea
perhaps a truly beautiful lady such as
yourself could convince don quixote to
come back to our village rather than an
old priest and barber dressed like women
dorothea agreed to their plan and put on
one of the dresses
when sancho returned he led them to don
quixote who was still lashing himself
with the branch of an old olive tree
immediately dorothea fell to her knees
please brave knight a terrible giant is
attacking my father’s kingdom you must
help us
of course i will help you sancho prepare
my horse we leave at once i cannot
refuse a princess in distress
[Music]
later the group arrived at the inn where
sancho had first met the barber and the
priest
the innkeeper ran out to greet them and
was met by the priest the priest handed
him ten gold pieces and said
my friend in the iron suit is mad he
thinks he’s a knight and this is a
castle i ask you only to play along for
the night and let us stay until morning
yes my wife heard something about a
lunatic roaming the valley
said the innkeeper
i heard the holy brotherhood is
searching for him you may stay but your
crazy friend will have to stay in the
hayloft where i keep my wine so he won’t
bother anyone
the priest and barber agreed
long past midnight after everyone had
gone to bed the priest awoke to the loud
sound of gushing liquid as if a river
had burst into the inn
suddenly sancho ponza stumbled into the
room covered in blood
my master is fighting a giant upstairs
it’s a bloodbath up there
the priest helped him up and tasted some
of the redness on his fingers
santro this isn’t blood you simpleton
it’s wine
sprinting up the stairs the priest
shuddered when he saw what had happened
there was don quixote swinging his sword
and stabbing the huge pigskin sacks full
of wine hung from the ceiling
cried don quixote as the wine splashed
out over him blinding his eyes
another fatal wound
soon there will be no more blood left in
your body victory will be mine
the innkeeper raced upstairs screaming
oh no you’re a madman my best wine is
all gone my wife has sent for the holy
brotherhood you’ll pay for all of this
damage
as the officers of the holy brotherhood
arrived to arrest don quixote the priest
came and took one of the officers aside
for a moment
he explained that don quixote was crazy
and needed to be taken home for medical
attention
the priest also told the officer to have
his men put some chalk on their faces
soon after dorothea came to don quixote
brave knight you have slain the giant
and saved my father’s kingdom
i thank you
it was my pleasure dear princess
said don quixote
suddenly the night was surrounded by
eight ghostly figures with white faces
one of them stepped forward and said
we are demons sent by the evil wizard to
take you back to your village
get into this cage
don quixote tried to fight but the eight
men seized him and locked him into the
cage
don quixote struggled to break free from
the cage until his strength was gone
then he fell asleep
[Music]
to employ more shocking tactics to bring
his mind back
suddenly sancho squeezed into the room
with a grin on his face and gave the old
knight some good news
last night i was at a party to welcome
back young carrasco who has been
studying at salamanca university
before i could say hello he told me he
had read about all of our adventures
said sancho
somebody wrote a book called don quixote
and it’s the biggest best seller in all
of spain
bring him to me my squire i must meet
this young man
said don quixote
a few minutes later sancha returned
leading a young man with a chubby face
and a mischievous expression into the
room
before don quixote could speak the youth
fell onto his knees and said oh great
night i’m humbled to be in your
excellent presence
carrasco kept talking trying to control
his giggles
in all the history of chivalry
no one can find a braver more
extraordinary night than don quixote
the book is beloved by every man and
woman in every social class
the author is even talking about writing
part two
well then
cried don quixote hopping out of bed
it’s time to get back in the saddle
my public needs me
[Music]
seven days later don quixote and sancho
ponza saddled their mounts and prepared
to ride
carrasco was there to wish them farewell
suddenly the housekeeper and niece burst
out of the house and cried
what’s going on here where’s the priest
he must stop this madness
carrasco whispered to them
don’t worry the priest and i have a plan
to bring him home you’ll see in a day or
two
then don quixote shouted farewell and
they rode off
so what’s our first move
asked sancho after they had been riding
for an hour
we are riding to el toboso
where you will guide me to the palace of
my mistress
oh no
fretted sancho
i’m not sure i can remember where she
lives
[Music]
later they found themselves riding
around the dark streets of el taboso
hopelessly lost
sancho convinced don quixote that they
should wait until morning to find
dulcinea
after eating breakfast at their campsite
sancho rode off trying to figure out
what to do
[Music]
as he was trying to think of a solution
sancho saw three peasant girls riding
across the plain on donkeys
he had an idea
he turned around and rode back to camp
master i have great news
he cried
will she allow me to visit
don quixote asked hopefully
polish your suit she couldn’t wait for
your visit she’s riding here with two of
her maids
don quixote ran around in a panic
sancho helped him into his armor and
minutes later they were riding through
the trees where is she
cried don quixote
over there
said sancho
pointing to the peasant girls who were
riding past
all i see are three ugly girls on
donkeys
said don quixote
but sir those are the prettiest women i
have ever seen
don quixote walked up to them and asked
the one in the middle
are you my mistress princess
are you dulcinea the sweetest rose in
spain
the girl let out a big laugh
sorry grandad can’t waste time talking
with lunatics
then she kicked sancho so hard he almost
fell off his donkey
the girls rode off leaving don quixote
in a cloud of dust
the evil wizard has changed my love into
a disgusting country wench
cried don quixote
it’s terrible
cried sancho clapping his hands with
glee because his plan was working so
well
now i am truly the knight of the long
face
this evil wizard has struck me in my
weakest spot
i must find a way to break his spell and
restore her beauty
don quixote spent the rest of that day
crying in the woods reciting poetry
about lost love
sancho contented himself with two
salamis and a leather cask of wine
suddenly don quixote hissed
i hear two men approaching in the forest
where
asked sancho
on the other side of those bushes
then the two sat and listened
my lady casilda is the most lovely woman
in spain
said the voice
and she has sent me the night of the
forest on my mission to destroy all
knights who would disagree
this night lies
whisper don quixote
[Music]
you are mistaken
shouted don quixote stepping out of the
bushes to face the night
i must tell you that my dulcinea is the
most beautiful woman on earth
then we must do battle
the other night replied coolly
we will joust at dawn
replied don quixote
yes but there is one condition
the loser must return to his village and
swear to stay there and not enter any
combat for one year
i accept
answer don quixote
[Music]
the next morning at dawn the knights met
on opposite sides of a clearing
to the left of the night of the forest
was his squire a hunchback with a large
purple nose
without warning the knight of the forest
spurred his steed into a gallop and
charged don quixote with his lance
don quixote immediately raised his lance
at the last moment the night of the
forest’s horse nade and refused to take
another step
don quixote charged with all his might
and knocked the other knight out of his
saddle
don quixote quickly jumped down from
rosanante drawing his sword and holding
it to the downed night’s neck
do you surrender
don quixote demanded
yes
cried the night of the forest
i’m finished then don quixote commanded
sancho to remove the knight’s helmet
well
cried sancho
this night looks like that youth
carrasco
yes he does
agreed don quixote
the power of this evil wizard to change
people’s faces is amazing
no
i really am carrasco
sobbed the student
it would be safer to kill him now
said sancho
don quixote raised his sword to strike
but the hunchback rushed over and flung
off his robe
it was don quixote’s friend the barber
put your sword away
he said
amazing
said don quixote
this evil wizard never stops
the barber dragged carrasco away toward
their campsite cursing him for not being
better in a joust
[Music]
the next morning found don quixote and
sancho ponza riding through a wheat
field
the victory over the night of the forest
left don quixote feeling unstoppable he
didn’t suspect for a moment that it had
been a plot hatched by the priest to
bring him back to the village
stepping onto the road the knight and
his squire came upon a royal cart
raising his lance don quixote blocked
the cart and said
halt or i’ll slice you into
i demand to know what you have in this
cart
a lion
called one of the cart drivers
a gift to our king from an african
prince
dangerous
ask don quixote
it’s thirsty for blood it’s even more
dangerous because it’s hungry so clear
off old man before you get hurt
i am don quixote
proclaimed the night
and i’m not afraid of any cats
then he swung his lance below the
driver’s nose
open the cages
sancho and the driver’s mate quickly ran
up a nearby hill
while don quixote positioned himself in
front of the lion’s cage and the driver
prepared to pull a rope that would open
it
will you reconsider
ask the driver
don quixote does not fear danger
shouted the night
pull
the door crashed open and a gigantic
lion stuck his head into the air
[Music]
his jaws were black and covered with
thick drool his teeth yellow and curved
like knives
the lion’s eyes blazed as if on fire
i’m waiting for you king of the jungle
don quixote cried fearlessly
are you afraid to come out
the lion stared at the old night for a
moment and then yawned and went to sleep
this lion is a coward
shouted don quixote
driver rattle his cage make him roar
i will not
replied the driver dropping the rope
that closed the lion’s cage
you are the bravest man in spain no one
else would go up against a man killer
will you swear to our king
ask don quixote
he will receive a full report of your
bravery
replied the driver
don quixote signaled to sancho and the
driver’s mate that it was safe to return
from this day on
announce don quixote
i wish to be known as the knight of the
lions men will tell tales of this
adventure hundreds of years to come
[Music]
[Music]
chapter five
the final adventures
sacho grumbled and soaked for three days
as don quixote led them through the
forest
their food was almost gone and the
squire had to go to sleep hungry under a
damp blanket worrying about wolves and
other predators
don quixote was proud of their
sufferings often reminding sancho that a
hard life makes a brave heart
on the fourth day at sunset they came
across a group of riders among them was
a lady dressed in green velvet
she sat atop a majestic white stallion
and held a falcon on her arm
a huntress
gas don quixote
perhaps even a princess
shall certainly want to be introduced to
me
she probably just wants us to mind her
own
business sancho replied with a grin
ignoring his squire the knight commanded
him
ride over there and introduce me
sancho groaned and spurred his donkey in
the group’s direction
milady
he called
my master the knight of the lions
formerly known as the knight of the long
face wishes to
wait
interrupted the lady
did you say the night of the long face
yes and i’m his squire sancho
panzer
interrupted the lady again with a smile
yes
gulped sancho do you know about us
of course
she replied
i’ve read the book of your adventures
it’s my husband’s and my favorite book
shall i bring him over then asked sancho
you must do more than that
said the lady
you and your master must come to our
nearby castle as distinguished guests of
my husband the duke the duchess giggled
when sancho accepted her invitation
in truth she and her husband thought the
book don quixote was the finest comedy
ever written
she and her husband were great jokers
and she figured they would be able to
have some fun with the crazy knight and
his dim-witted sidekick
the group with don quixote and sancho
soon crossed a drawbridge and found
themselves inside a vast opulent castle
two trumpeters sounded the night’s
arrival and a group of maidens
surrounded them fanning jars of perfume
[Music]
that night the knight and his squire ate
the best meal of their lives while
chatting with their hosts
the duke and duchess listened with great
interest about all of their recent
adventures
but their greatest interest was in
hearing news of dulcinea
when they asked about dulcinea the
knight replied sadly
my beautiful lady has been transformed
into a vulgar donkey riding trollop by
an evil wizard
how terrible
gasped the duchess barely able to
contain her laughter
[Music]
the next day the duke and duchess
convinced don quixote to accompany them
on a wild boar hunt in the forest
but they had made secret plans to play a
big joke on the knight and his squire
while they were hunting there was a
sudden noise coming through the trees
my men must have found a boar it’s
coming toward us beware its tusks
said the duchess
but when the trees parted there was no
wild boar
rather a black stallion came prancing
and kicking before them on its back
wrote a man covered in twigs leaves and
ivy
[Music]
i am the forest sprite
the strange figure wearing a green mask
with horns on top of his head shouted
the demons of the forest have sent me
with a message for the night errant don
quixote de la mancha
i am don quixote
replied the night
to free your lady from their spell
the sprite continued
you must do two things first of all your
squire must lash himself
how many times
screamed sancho 3
300 times
sancho gasped in disbelief
but first you must ride a flying horse
through the air and over the mountains
this horse waits for you at the duke’s
castle if you are brave enough to
perform these two tasks your beloved
dulcinea will be set free
said the forest sprite
then the creature turned and rode away
it’s a miracle
crime the duchess
we must return to the castle at once
yes but first sancho fetch me a whip
shouted don quixote
you can begin lashing yourself while we
ride
the terrified squire had already ridden
away from the night’s grasp
back at the castle the servants were
rushing around shouting alarm from the
towers
there was a giant wooden horse in the
middle of the courtyard
the servants told the duke it had
suddenly and mysteriously dropped from
the sky
meanwhile don quixote and sancho were
arguing about the lashes the squire must
suffer to free dulcinea
i won’t do it
cry the squire
for the sake of my lady i beg you
sob the knight
the duchess approached them
you two must cease your squabbling
she said leading them into the courtyard
she was enjoying every moment of this
grand practical joke she had planned
with her husband
don quixote stared up at the wooden
horse in amazement
what a creature it must be twenty feet
tall
sancho’s knees knocked together in fear
there was a rope ladder on the side
which they climbed up
seeing them mount the wooden horse the
duke and duchess could hardly control
their laughter
when the two seated themselves on top of
the horse sancho found there was nothing
to hold on to so he grabbed onto don
quixote’s trouser belt with both hands
there’s a carving in the wood here
exclaimed don quixote
it says we have to blindfold ourselves
anyone who rides this magic horse
without a blindfold will be struck dead
i’ve got a handkerchief said sancho
he pulled out his handkerchief tore it
in two and gave half to his master
the two fixed the smelly halves of
handkerchief around their faces
from a balcony the duchess and duke
squealed with pleasure at the sight of
the two fools on the horse
once their eyes were covered a servant
tapped on the horse and the servants
inside lifted it three feet off the
ground and rocked it from side to side
we’re up in the clouds sancho
cried don quixote
i’m feeling air sick
monsanto
on a balcony across from the knight and
squire four maidens were pumping a pair
of bellows and dousing them with cups of
water
hold on sancho we’re flying through a
rainstorm
call don quixote
[Music]
this point the duke and duchess were
laughing their socks off
but they were also beginning to feel
guilty for playing such a prank on the
good night the duke signaled to his
butler for the grand finale
a servant lit the horse’s tail on fire
there was a pop and a fizz as hundreds
of fireworks hidden inside the tail
exploded
sancho wrapped his arms around the night
and howled
save me master i promise i’ll suffer the
lashing
all of them
ask don quixote
everyone
cried sancho
then don quixote beat the top of the
horse with his fist
but this only made the men inside rock
it harder
finally they tilted it too far and the
wooden horse crashed to the ground
sancho and the knight were thrown to
safety landing on the soft grass of the
castle lawn
quickly the servants carried the horse
away
by the time don quixote and sancho tore
the rags from their eyes they were
facing the duchess who leaned over them
acting concerned
welcome back
she said softly
you’ve been gone for hours we were so
worried how was the ride
sancho and don quixote rested for a few
days
then the night announced it was time for
them to leave
but what about sancho’s lashing
ask the duchess who didn’t want to miss
out on the spectacle
he’ll have to carry out the lashes while
we travel
life at court is softening my sword arm
it is time for us to go i thank you for
your hospitality
don quixote and sancho ponza rode away
toward the sea and the city of barcelona
the next morning don quixote told sancho
i want to see you do some whipping right
now
don’t rush me
cried sancho jumping to his feet
and i preferred to perform my lashing in
private
i don’t care how you do it but i want to
hear each lash so i know you’re not
shirking fine
snap sancho
i’ll get started
he grabbed the whip and stomped off into
the trees then he unbuttoned his shirt
and cracked the whip against the trunk
of the tree
ow
he yelled
that one almost drew blood
[Music]
a few days later when don quixote and
sancho rode into barcelona word had
already spread of their arrival
the streets were filled with citizens
trying to get a glimpse of the crazy yet
noble night
people threw flowers and cheered
the leader of their escort allowed don
quixote and sancho to stay in his
luxurious villa in the middle of the
city
for two weeks they lived like kings they
were paid daily visits by generals
admirals and high-ranking public
officials
each morning don quixote would take
rosannante for a trot along the beach
then one day as he was on his morning
jaunt he saw a figure approaching him
from down the beach
the figure was a knight wearing a full
suit of armor with his visor lowered
when don quixote neared the night he
could see a white crescent emblem on his
chest
halt the night of the lions
called the night of the white moon
i have a challenge for you
[Music]
don quixote is always ready for a
challenge the old hidalgo answered
bravely
then we will joust
said the strange knight raising a shiny
new lance
name your terms
called don quixote
if you win this fine horse and my new
lance are yours
if i am the victor you must retire from
your career as a night errand
retire
cried don quixote
but that is impossible
we young knights are tired of you
getting all of the public’s attention we
want you to return to your village for a
year and live a peaceful life
i accept your terms
snapped don quixote
[Music]
then both knights turned away from each
other and checked their weapons
when they turned the knight of the white
moon spurred his horse into a gallop and
thrust his lance toward don quixote
he held his lance with such precision
that the elderly knight didn’t have a
chance and was thrown from his saddle
he landed in the shallow water and sand
of the beach
in a flash the night of the white moon
dismounted and pressed his sword to don
quixote’s neck
you are vanquished do you concede
demanded the night of the white moon
but it means the end of my life
sobbed don quixote
without chivalry
i am nothing
you gave your word
snarled the victor
i will retire
coughed don quixote
as i promised
the night’s tears of defeat mixed with
the salt water of the waves
this is the darkest day of all my
adventures
he moaned
but the night of the white moon showed
no mercy and rode off on his stallion
the broken hidalgo sat sobbing in the
surf
later don quixote hobbled back to town
he never realized that the night of the
white moon was actually the youth
carrasco
in the months since he had been defeated
as the knight of the forest he had
studied jousting and horsemanship he was
determined to have his revenge on don
quixote and to return the crazy hidalgo
to his friends in the village
when sancho heard of don quixote’s
defeat and retirement he sobbed
you can’t quit sire
old dogs don’t learn new tricks
i promised
now help me take off my armor
i no longer need it
as the two began their three-day journey
home they lamented their fate
[Music]
one night the two men made camp by a
stream
sancho had been trying to lift the
broken hearted knights spirits all day
can i do anything to make you feel
better
he asked
if i knew my lady was safe
said don quixote
i might be able to smile again
so sancho wandered off into the nearby
woods and lashed a tree letting out
blood chilling cries with each crack of
the whip
when sancho had lashed all the bark off
the tree don quixote told him he had
finished a thousand lashes and he
stopped for the day i am proud of you
don quixote told him warmly
if you can manage a thousand per night
dulcinea will be free by the time we
reach our village
they road hard each day passing by many
sites of past adventures
each night sancho found a suitable tree
to whip and rack up another thousand
lashes
on the fourth morning he completed the
final 248 lashes don quixote shook his
hand and promised to double his salary
if they ever went questing again
[Music]
when don quixote rode into the courtyard
of his home the housekeeper dropped her
basket of laundry in the dust
master you’re back in one piece
she cried
i am weak
whispered don quixote
sancho
help me to my room
back in his bed the old hidalgo slipped
into a sleep that lasted for six days
the fever he had gotten grew stronger
each day
he cried and moaned in his sleep as if
being haunted by nightmares
meanwhile his friends waited patiently
by his bedside
after a week he opened his eyes to see
the priest and the barber sitting at the
end of his bed
i am back
muttered the old knight
don quixote
they shouted rushing to his side
my name is alonzo quijano
said the man in the bed
i was mad but now my mind is restored
is it true are all your thoughts of
chivalry and wizards really gone from
your head
ask the priest
they are all gone
he replied softly
i am sane enough to know that i am dying
[Music]
the news that the hidalgo was on his
deathbed raced around the village
sancho came running in from the fields
where he had been at work
he was shown into the room and knelt
down at his former master’s side
perhaps you were a little crazy
sancho sobbed
but if you were still a knight you would
not die
your friend who was a knight
replied the hidalgo
is no longer here
you must forget him
i cannot
sobbed the squire
sancho tried to convince his old friend
not to give up the ghost
but the old hidalgo was overcome with
fever
sancho waited at his bedside for three
days until finally the old knight
slipped away
this was the end of the brave knight don
quixote de la mancha
in his madness he accomplished feats
that ordinary men can only dream of
the stories of his amazing adventures
have been told for more than 400 years
rest in peace
noble don quixote
may the questing be grand
and the adventures
bring you glory
[Music]
you