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A very long time ago, Switzerland was in need of a new Emporer. The new Emporer was completely different than the last. He was cruel and hated everyone, and nobody liked him either. He wanted to have control over every movement made in the towns.
The governers he chose for each town were just as mean and awful as him. The mere mentioning of any of their names put people into shock. They would jail and fine people for the littlest mistakes.
The name of one of the most horrid governers was Gesler. He spent all his time making up new ways to persecute the people. One of the terrible things he did to the people was to praise his hat that was on a pole in the market place. "To this hat every man shall bend the knee as he passes by. If any be traitor and will not do this thing, he shall be cast into prison and lose all that he hath." From the consiquences, the people obeyed.
One day came along an archer by the name of William Tell and his son went to the market. Confused by the hat, he approaches one of the gaurds to ask them about it. before he could utter a word one of the guards took him by the arm and demanded he praise the hat.
William shouted "Nay, I will never bow to that hat." No matter the consiquences, he did not take back his words. He and his son were taken before the governer.
The soilders said, "This man, hath refused to obey thine order and bow to the hat. For this reason we have seized him before thee."
When Gesler heard this he was infuriated. Because of Williams' fame, death was not an option as the people loved him. As the governer began to think ideas, he came upon an idea that put a great big smile upon his face.
William's son, Walter Tell cried, "So great is my father's skill, that he can hit a bird on the wing. At one hundred paces he can split an apple so that it falls from a tree."
Gesler listed his idea; "Guard, take the boy, bind him to yonder tree, and place an apple upon his head. Archer, if thine eye be as true, arm as steady as hath been said, all goes well with thee. Let the apple on the boy's head be peirced and fall, and thy life is again thine."
From this cruel thought the soldiers were even worried. For the taking of a boy was frightning and cruel. Gesler says, "If his skill be as great as hath beenn said, he has nothing to lose. If not, then he had better have stopped the boasting of his son."
Tell fell before Gesleer and cried, "My lord, take my life if thou wilt, for a brave man fears not his own death; but bid me not thus threaten the life of my son! The hand of a marksman should be sure and steady when he speeds the arrow. How shall mine be calm, when my son's life hangs upon my skill?"
Gesler says, "Nay, the hunter's aim is surest when dangfer presses closest. Haste thee, Tell. Take thy bow into thy hand, lest men ask of thee where is thy boasted cunning."
Walter cries, "My father, have no fear for me. Well I know the sureness of thine aim. I fear no arrow from thy hand. But, sirs, I pray ye, bind me not to the tree. I shall stand quite still while I await my father's aim. Is not this the best day of my life--when I show my beleif in him?"
Stunned by the trust from the boy, the soldiers begged Gesler to consider other options of punishment, though Gesler ignored. Tell must prove his skill.
Walter took his place at the tree. He looked in confidence to his father. Tell was eighty paces from the tree, and getting ready.
Tell lifted one arrow and another he put on his bosom. He then took aim. He shot and the arrow sped through the air. The crowd went silent. The tension was broken by the falling apple, and everyone was releived and proud of Tell for his perfect aim.
The guards paid no attention to Gesler but to only Tell and his boy.
Gesler questioned the second arrow as it fell from Tell's chest. William answers, "My lord, had the first shaft taken my son's life, the second has surely found a resting place in thine own heart."
From Tell's words, Gesler turned pale with regret and surely feared Tell. He began apoligizing to Tell and his son.
He cried, "Wretch, it is true that thy life is promised thee, but know that it shall be spent where neither the sun's light not the moon's shall reach thee!" Gesler ordered the people to seize Tell, but instead Tell and his son simply went home to their mountain home.
