The Legend of Beowulf Retold

By Stella, 9, Leicester, UK

It was success.

The king and his men had beaten the enemy. So the king wanted to celebrate.

He set out to build a hall. From the old to the young, from the poor to the rich, they all came to help him. The king was known for his generosity and kindness.

Finally the hall was built. It was a majestic hall, with tall pinnacles, higher than the highest trees. Nothing this grand had existed in his land, so he was very proud of it.

The celebration started one morning and continued night after night, day after day. The tables sagged under the weight of drink. The louder the music grew, the further it travelled until it was heard far away in the foul-smelling marsh lands by Grendle.

Evil suited Grendle. Grendle, half fiend. He came from a line of sea-monsters. Grendle hated happiness. Laughter? No chance.

He had slept for centuries and was now starving. Grendle had slimy, oozing skin and bits of fish on him. Imagine sleeping in that for centuries and, to make it even worse, he slept in a swamp!

Anyway, back to the story. Where were we?

Here we are.

Grendle walked step by step, making his way to Herout, to the hall. He ripped the door open like it was a tiny object.

People ran out screaming and shouting, "Help! Help!"

The king could not help. He was too old and wrinkley, so he set his men to look after his Herout. But the warriors were no match for Grendle who ate them all, bone after bone.

The king was devastated. All his men had been slaughtered.

Night after night, Grendle came and harvested a soul in the hall.

Far away in the northern rim of the world lived another king. He had heard of what was going on. He felt sorry for these people so he asked Beowulf if he could help them. This king was Beowulf's uncle.

Beowulf said, "Why, of course, but I must wait until the stars say so?"

Day after day passed until it was time he packed his things and set sail.

"Are you Beowulf?" the warriors asked.

"Yes, I am and I have come to destroy Grendle."

"Thank you. Thank you very much," the warriors said as they put their swords away and led him to Heorot.

Beowulf told them to put the candle on.

"Now you may go," he said.

So the warriors packed their bags and went.

At nightfall, the women left the hall while some of the men stayed and watched.

Beowulf took off his armour and gave his sword to a servant. True to his word, he would face Grendle without weapons. The men lay down to sleep each thinking if Beowulf would make it.

Beowulf climbed up the rafters and hid there until Grendle came but the door was locked. Grendle was so confused now. He ran to his birth place looking for his mother, Hagwitch.

The men who had been sleeping in the hall all ran out to the safety of their own homes when they were sure it was safe to do so, leaving Beowulf alone in the hall.

"Matera, Matera." This meant mother, in the language of the sea-monsters.

"Yes, son."

"Mother, there is a warrior in the village out to get us. Help me."

Hagwitch decided to help him. They made a plan and went to devour Beowulf with blood dripping from their cheeks.

Meanwhile Beowulf was hiding in the rafters.

Bash!!!

The monsters came into the hall.

For a moment, Beowulf was amazed. There was only supposed to be one and that was Grendle.
They whacked the candle. Which they were supposed to do.

Beowulf had built a cover or something rather, to cover the hall and this made the hall burn like marshmallows on a camp fire. And he jumped down from the rafters and ripped Grendle and Hagwitch's arms, pouring blood everywhere. Gross, I know.

Grendle and Hagwitch ran to the marsh lands and there they dropped dead.
(July 2005)

From Amanda, 11, Yonkers, NY, USA
Stella your story was wonderful! It gave me confidence to write my own story! (2006)  

From Damiko, 11, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
I think your story was great. It really inspired me! Thanks!! (December 2005)  

©2003-2006 Kids on the Net and the authors        Last 27-Mar-2008 -- #EndDate -->
Kids on the Net

Return to Top