Extra Credit Reading Beowulf: Part A

Long ago in the north of what is now known as Europe there was a kingdom called Geatsland. Its ruler was a man named Hygelac. The men who lived in Geatsland were famous for their bravery. The Geats were a warlike nation. Hygelac and his warriors were fighting in battles for most of the year.

The caves along the coasts of Geatsland were inhabited by evil monsters. Huge serpents devoured fishermen when they could catch them by surprise. The forests were filled with loathsome beasts. It was not safe to travel in them after dark. However, the monsters of the sea and the forest kept to themselves. They rarely left their lairs.

Beowulf was Hygelac's nephew. He was the son of the king's sister. When he was young Beowulf went to live with his uncle to learn the arts of war and how to handle ships. As the years passed he became more sullen in his strength. His companions dubbed him "the silent." When he reached his manhood and was admitted to the king's circle a feast was thrown for him. At the feast Beowulf sat in gloomy silence. His strength was great, but he had nothing to use it on. He longed for adventure. 

Hygelac signaled and all the voices in the hall died down. He told everyone that someone had come a long way to sing a wondrous song for them. That person is the Wanderer. The Wanderer came forward with his harp. He sat down on a stool, threw back his cloak, and struck the strings of the harp. His voice was like the crying of birds, but there was a sweetness to it. He sang about a monster that had terrorized a neighboring kingdom. The monster was part bird part animal, and it was called Grendel.

The monster Grendel

Bibliography
The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).