Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® Title Comprehension Passages The Legend of William Tell The Choice

LEVEL 8, ACTIVITY 4

The Legend of William Tell

[1] Long ago, the people of Switzerland did not rule themselves. Instead, they were forced to obey officials from the powerful Austrian empire. One official was a man named Gessler, and he was especially proud and cruel. Gessler put up a pole in the town square and set his hat on its top. He told his soldiers, “Guard this pole! Make sure that everyone who comes near bows to my hat. These people must show respect to my power. If they refuse, arrest them!”

[2] The people were too frightened of Gessler and his brutal soldiers to even think of disobeying. All of them bowed to the hat—all but one. William Tell, known as the best hunter in the region, glanced up at the hat, gave a disgusted snort, and walked right by. The soldiers arrested him and brought him to Gessler.

[3] Gessler narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tell, who stood tall with a green cap on his head. “I have heard of you,” Gessler said. “You have a reputation for being good with a crossbow.”

“I have some skill,” replied Tell, a slight smile on his face.

“Then I will put you to the test,” Gessler said, chuckling. “Your son will stand in the town square with an apple on his head. You must stand at 20 strides and shoot an arrow into the apple. If you succeed, you will go free.”

[4] “And if I refuse?” asked Tell.

“Then my soldiers will kill the boy,” said Gessler, with a threatening grin.

In the town square, people gathered to watch the terrible test. William Tell’s young son stood straight and still with an apple balanced on his head. At a distance, his father carefully placed the arrow in the bow, raised it slowly, and took aim. The arrow flew through the air. The apple broke apart as the arrow pierced it, leaving the boy’s head untouched. The crowd cheered. Gessler scowled.

[5] As William Tell turned to go, another arrow dropped from under his shirt, where he had hidden it. Gessler pointed to it. “What is that arrow for?” he asked Tell.

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“Had I hurt my boy,” Tell replied, “this arrow would have been for you.”

William Tell went on to help unite the Swiss people and fight for independence. He remains a hero of the country of Switzerland.

©2019 Lexia Learning, a Rosetta Stone company. Lexia®, PowerUp Literacy®, and other trademarks, names, and logos used herein are the property of Rosetta Stone Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries, and are registered and/or used in the United States and other countries. LEXILE® is a of MetaMetrics, Inc., and is registered in the United States and abroad. The trademarks and names of other companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

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