Tale 40: Robin Hood and Alan-a-dale (Misty)

(real tale: A Story of Robin Hood)

"Are there any legends of humans at all?" Melody asks.

"Well..." Misty replies. "There's the many legends of Robin Hood...which the boys and I have played roles in on stage and on screen."

"And the radio!" Ash adds.

Misty smiles at the memory as Brock retrieves the harp and plays a soft C chord. "Many of these stories talk about how Robin Hood robbed from the rich to feed the poor, but the story I want to tell you is about how Robin Hood met one of his friends--the minstrel Alan-a-dale."

"A minstrel? How exciting!" Melody smiles.

"Sometimes Brock will portray this kind of character when he tells stories in public." Ash adds. "That, and he's played Alan-a-dale before..."

"I remember that!" Brock cries as he plays a mystical melody. Worry not, O lady Marian
For beloved Robin is with you!
Though he may come to you in disguise,
the sheriff and Prince John have not a clue...

"And then I--in the role of Alan-a-dale's apprentice, would translate what Brock sang into a story." Misty continues. "But I'm digressing..." She motions to Brock. "Brock, if you would, please..."

Brock begins a soft melody as Misty starts the story. "One day, as Robin Hood rested under a tree, he saw a young man happily skipping down the road in what he presumed was wedding finery."

The harp then slows down into a somber lament. "But when Robin Hood saw the same young man again the next day, he wasn't so dressed up, and lacked any spring in his step." Misty continues. "The young man introduced himself as Alan-a-dale, and told Robin Hood what had happened--he had been due to marry a lady he loved very much, but at the last minute, her dad had married her off to a rich noble without her consent and his knowing."

"Ha pini pini pi!" Happini gasps, appalled.

"Pika!" Pikachu agrees.

A gentle chord from the harp reassures the Pokemon. "Alan-a-dale offered Robin his service if he could get his lady back." Misty continues. So Robin disguised himself as a minstrel and made his way to the chapel where the wedding was to be. He introduced himself as a minstrel to the priest, and the priest eagerly invited him in to play. But Robin said he wouldn't play until he saw the bride and groom."

"And then?" Melody is interested.

"Robin saw a young girl crying at the sight of an old man in rich finery. He felt sorry for the girl, and whistled for his merry men." Misty continues.

Ash whistles for effect, making Melody and the Pokemon laugh. "Robin's merry men all paraded into the chapel, and Alan-a-dale was among them." Misty continues. "When Robin asked the girl which of them she would rather have, she chose Alan-a-dale."

Brock then sings in character as Alan-a-dale And thus having ended this merry wedding,
The bride looked like a queen:
And so they returned to the merry green wood,
Amongst the leaves so green. as he plays a festive melody.

"Alan-a-dale and his beloved were married right there, and the old noble went home angry." Misty concludes over the harp. "As thanks for Robin's winning back his beloved, he told many stories and sang many songs as minstrel to the merry men."

Ash grins. "Maybe later this week, we can tell you the story about the tournament of the gold arrow!"