The Sword in the Tree

by Clyde Robert Bulla

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL O; AR pts: 2.0

In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and happiness. It was then than Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.

Comprehension Questions (by Sylvia)

Chapter 1

1. When Lady Marion is afraid Shan tells her not to be afraid for what two reasons? King Arthur has beaten all their enemies and that they have the strongest castle in England. P.2
2. Who is the wounded knight? Shan’s uncle, Uncle Lionel. P.7

Chapter 2

1. When Uncle Lionel wakes up, what rude name does he call Shan?  A young dog p.9
2. Uncle Lionel does not apologize to Shan, but tells Shan it was only a what?  A joke p. 9

Chapter 3

1. When Lionel sees Nappus in the garden what does he want to do to him?  Throw a rock at him. P. 17
2. Why does Lionel get angry at Shan?  Because Shan will not jerk the reins of his horse around as Lionel is telling him to do. P. 22

Chapter 4

1. What responsibility does Shan ask his father for?  To take care of his father’s sword. P.25
2. How does Lionel say his brother died?  Lionel says that Lord Weldon road his horse into quicksand. P. 28

Chapter 5

1. How did Lionel take over the castle?  Lionel brought his friends and their servants to live in the castle and sent the old servants away. P 32
2. Where does Shan hide his father’s sword?  In the garden, in the hollow of the oak. P. 34

Chapter 6

1. What does Nappus tell Shan and Lady Marion? That Lionel killed Lord Weldon in a trap. P42
2. Because Shan and his mother are in danger what do they do?    They leave the castle quickly. P 43

Chapter 7

1. When Shan and Lady Marion run away what does Shan take with him? A small purse of money, a tinderbox to make a fire, and string to make a trap. P. 51
2. What trouble do they run into?  They get robbed of their money and jewels. P. 51

Chapter 8

1. What does the boy think Shan is doing with his goat?  He thinks Shan is going to steal it. P. 56
2. With whom do Lady Marion and Shan find shelter?  Adam the herdsman and his wife Phebe. P. 59

Chapter 9

1. What idea does a lost hunter give Shan?  To go to Camelot and ask King Arthur for help. P. 64
2. Shan only gets permission to go to Camelot after what happens?  Adam says that Magnus can go with Shan. P. 66

Chapter 10

1. While on Twigg’s raft what do the boys do?  They fish for dinner. P. 70
2. What do Magnus and Shan find on the way to Camelot?  A little gray donkey. P. 72

Chapter 11

1. While the boys wait in Camelot for 6 days what do they do?  Magnus and the donkey get a job carrying firewood and Shan gets a job with a shoemaker. P. 77
2. To find out if Shan is telling the truth King Arthur send which of his knights to Weldon castle?  Sir Gareth. P 83

Chapter 12

1. Sir Gareth tells Shan that if his story is true King Arthur might make him a knight.  How does Sir Gareth say that King Arthur turns boys into knights?  First, he finds them young, then he makes them pages and they work in the kitchens and at table, then they become squires to knights and finally, if they have learned their lessons well they become knights. P. 87
2. What does Lionel say happened to Lady Marion and Shan?  That they went away into the woods and were killed by wolves. P. 89

Chapter 13

1. How does Shan prove to Sir Gareth that his story is true?  He goes into the garden and retrieves his father’s hidden sword from the hollow of the tree. P. 94
2. When Sir Gareth sees Shan’s proof, he challenges Lionel to battle. Who wins and who loses?  Sir Gareth wins and Lionel yields. P. 97

Chapter 14

1. Where does Nappus take Shan?  To the dungeons. P. 99
2. Who is in the dungeon?  Shan’s father, Lord Weldon. P. 101