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The Oh, Welcome back everyone to one thousand one classic short stories and tales. This is your host John Hagadorn. Today, two stories from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. The first, Little John goes to

Nottingham Fair. And the second story, How Little John lived at the Sheriff's.

Hope you enjoy.

Spring had gone since the Sheriff's feast in Sherwood and summer also, and the mellow month

of October had come. All the air was cool and

fresh. The harvests were gathered home. The young birds were full-fledged. The

hops were plucked and apples were ripe.

With October had come the time for holding the Great Fair which was celebrated every five years

at Nottingham Town, to which folk came from far and near throughout the country.

At such times, archery was always the main sport of the day, for the Nottinghamshire

Yeoman were the best hand at Longbow in all Mary England.

But this year, the sheriff hesitated a long time before he issued

proclamation of the fair, fearing lest Robin Hood and his band might come to it.

At first he had a great part of a mind not to proclaim the fair, but second thought told him

that men would laugh at him and say among themselves that he was afraid of Robin Hood.

So he put that thought behind him.

At last he fixed in his mind that he would offer such a prize as they would not care to shoot for.

At such times, it had been accustomed to offer a half score of marks or a ton of ale.

So this year he proclaimed that a prize of two fat steers should be given to the best bowmen.

When Robin Hood heard what had been proclaimed he was vexed and said,

Now be shrewd the sheriff that he should offer such a prize that none but Shepard

...