The Story
Many centuries ago, the land of Britain had no king. The great wizard Merlin placed a mighty sword deep into a stone in the churchyard of London, and on the stone these words were carved: "Whosoever draws this sword from this stone is the rightborn King of all Britain."
Knights and lords from across the land came to try their luck. The strongest men heaved and strained, but not one of them could move the sword an inch.
In a small village nearby lived a boy named Arthur. He was the squire to his older foster brother, Sir Kay. One winter's day, there was a great tournament, and Sir Kay discovered he had forgotten his sword. He sent young Arthur to fetch it.
Arthur rode back to town, but the house was locked. He passed the churchyard and spotted the sword gleaming in the stone. Not knowing what it was — only that his brother needed a sword — Arthur simply reached out and pulled. It slid free as easily as a knife from butter.
The crowd fell silent. Knights knelt. Merlin appeared from the shadows, his long robes sweeping the ground. "The king is here," said Merlin. "Arthur is his name."
Arthur was only a boy, and many proud lords refused to bow to him. So three times more he replaced the sword and drew it again before all witnesses — and each time it came free only for him.
Arthur proved himself not just by the sword, but by his wisdom. He gathered the bravest and most honourable knights at a Round Table — where no seat was higher than another — and together they worked for justice, protected the weak, and made Britain a land of honour and peace.
And so began the age of Camelot, when knights were true and a good king sat upon the throne.