The High King

Summarize the introduction to this book.

Page 1 — Kaw finds Taran and Gurgi and tells them Eilonwy is home; they hurry home and have a wonderful reunion; Fllewder barges in the door with Gwydion over his shoulder; Arawn tricked them and attacked them; Achren and Glew are living with Dallben; Achren tells everyone Arawn’s secret and how to defeat him

1

Name one thing that was upsetting to Taran in this chapter.

Page 24 — HenWen was afraid to prophesy; the stick shattered when Hen went to read it; Achren took a horse and headed to Annuvin

24

Why might the companions not take Glew with them to Annuvin?

Page 53 — He is greedy and will do something to spoil their plans or hurt them to get what he wants

53

Summarize this chapter.

Page 54 — Taran, Gwydion and Coll are captured by Magg at King Smoit’s castle; they fear Fllewder and his companions will be captured as well

54

How could Gwystyl’s treasures help the companions?

Page 78 — Listen to your child’s answer

78

Summarize this chapter.

Page 82 — Gwystyl shared the rest of his magic items and helped the friends get into the castle walls; they were seen and ambushed

82

Describe the battle.

Page 93 — Eilonwy frees the captives; they realize they do not have enough reinforcements; King Rhun rides out pretending to call the reinforcements and scares Magg’s men; Prince Rhun is shot and dies

93

Describe Medwyn.

Page 109 — Animals trust him and take refuge in his valley; he takes care of them and can speak to them; he helped Taran and his companions in a previous book; lives in a hidden valley; he is good and wants to fight against evil

109

Explain why Taran carried around a broken piece of pottery?

Page 131 — It reminds him of the people he has lost and the weight of his responsibility as a war leader

131

Summarize this chapter.

Page 132 — The companions reach Caer Dathyl; King Math speaks to Taran; they meet Taliesin, the Chief Bard of Prydain who gave Fllewdur his harp; he offers Fllewdur another harp, but Fllewdur keeps his; Lord Pryderi asks for King Math’s surrender instead of joining him

132

On the bottom of page 151, the author shows Taran’s vulnerability. How has Taran’s character developed from the beginning of the series to now?

Page 151 — Because of his inexperience, he felt he knew much and that he was strong and brave; now, after his experiences, he realizes he doesn’t feel ready to stand among men

151

Explain Pryderi’s battle strategy?

Page 157 — Stall the battle until the Cauldron-Born came and King Math’s armies were weakened

157

Choose a word to describe Coll in this chapter? Explain why. Courageous; brave; humble;

listen to your child’s answer p.q161

Summarize why Taran and his soldiers became frustrated in this chapter.

Page 196 — Glew causes a cave in, and everyone needs to turn around; overtaking the Cauldron Born will be very difficult

196

Summarize what happened to Eilonwy and Gurgi.

Page 199 — They were kidnapped by Dorath; wolves from Medwyn’s valley saved them and led them until they saw Taran and his band; Eilonwy saw that the Huntsmen were going to trap Taran’s group without either of them knowing so Eilonwy made her bauble shine as bright as the sun

199

Summarize how the prophecy was fulfilled in this chapter.

Page 212 — Taran’s group cut down trees and lighted them with fair folk fire; they turned ice into a river; and Eilonwy turned night into day with her bauble

212

How was Pryderi betrayed?

Page 225 — Arawn used him to try to kill Dallben since his Cauldron Born and Huntsmen couldn’t; he was being used by Arawn to get the Book of Three; he thought Arawn was serving him, but in the end, he was Arawn’s servant

225

Summarize this chapter.

Page 235 — The companions found Achren injured by the gwythaints; they were caught in a snowstorm as they traveled back to the soldiers; they found an overhang and took shelter under it; thought they would die from hypothermia; Fllewder broke his harp and they burned it; it played melodies all night long and gave off a magical warmth

235

Define resilience.

Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant sources of stress. It's not about avoiding difficult experiences, but rather about successfully navigating them and maintaining psychological well-being.

Give one example of how the companions show resilience in this chapter.

Listen to your child’s answer

Do you agree that Taran should trust Achren? Why, or why not?

Page 252 — Listen to your child’s answer

252

Describe the companions’ reaction when they first heard the prophecy and their reaction now that it has been fulfilled.

Page 275 — They were discouraged and unsure because of the unknown; the prophecy in the beginning sounded destitute; now that the prophecy has been fulfilled and they have defeated Arawn, it all makes sense to them

275

Why did the three witches come to Taran?

Page 285 — To say good-bye and give him the tapestry of his life; the tapestry on their loom, belonged to Taran and was being weaved as he lived his life

285

Summarize the conclusion to this story and series.

Page 288 — Taran and Eilonwy are wedded and become high king and queen; the rest of the companions depart to the Summer Country

288

Explain the development Taran’s character underwent throughout the series.

From the first book to the last, he grew in wisdom, maturity and humility.

What do you admire about Taran?

Listen to your child’s answer

What characteristic do you want to glean from him?

Listen to your child’s answer