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William Tell and the Apple for Freedom
William Tell is the best shot in Switzerland. One day, the local governor demands that he prove his skill with a crossbow or be punished. William must his an apple at a hundred paces ... and the apple will be resting on his young son's head!
48 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 17, 2021
I admired William Tell when I watched the TV series as a boy when Conrad Phillips played the hero who was always at odds with the bullying Lamburger Gessler and I always regarded Tell as the Swiss version of Robin Hood!
Well, here is the famous story of his crossbow prowess when he is challenged by Gessler to shoot an apple off his son's head at 100 paces. Tell had gone into town only to find Gessler there with his troops and a hat stuck on top of a pole in the town square. Gessler instructed him to acknowledge the hat but Tell refused thus he was being arrested before Gessler challenged him to the crossbow feat. If he was successful he was free.
But Gessler reneged on his promise and subsequently ordered his troops to arrest Tell. This led to a battle between the troops and Tell's men who were in the town. In the ensuing fight, Gessler loses his life to one of Tell's crossbow bolts (won't do for the TV series for their rivalry was a constant in the programme!).
William Tell went on to lead his people against the rule of the Austrians and he is regarded as a hero in Switzerland initially through shooting an apple for his country's freedom.
Tony Ross augments the text with his delightful line drawings.
Well, here is the famous story of his crossbow prowess when he is challenged by Gessler to shoot an apple off his son's head at 100 paces. Tell had gone into town only to find Gessler there with his troops and a hat stuck on top of a pole in the town square. Gessler instructed him to acknowledge the hat but Tell refused thus he was being arrested before Gessler challenged him to the crossbow feat. If he was successful he was free.
But Gessler reneged on his promise and subsequently ordered his troops to arrest Tell. This led to a battle between the troops and Tell's men who were in the town. In the ensuing fight, Gessler loses his life to one of Tell's crossbow bolts (won't do for the TV series for their rivalry was a constant in the programme!).
William Tell went on to lead his people against the rule of the Austrians and he is regarded as a hero in Switzerland initially through shooting an apple for his country's freedom.
Tony Ross augments the text with his delightful line drawings.
August 17, 2018
Is great for children to get them into classics.
October 10, 2018
This is an ok story, not many teaching points to take out of it apart from oppression and standing up for their countries beliefs. Shows that even a small village family man can make a big difference in people’s lives. The story is based around heroism and how brave the main character is.
June 14, 2020
A fair retelling with classic Tony Ross illustrations. One of the things I like best about these Orchard Books is the author notes at the end on themes of the tales. Takes it from 3 to 4 stars for me.
July 29, 2020
This book is underrated
It’s a short story and I really liked it
It’s a short story and I really liked it
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews