Robin Hood and the Tinker (Campfire Story)

The SHERIFF of Nottingham wanted to arrest ROBIN HOOD. So he wrote out a warrant, a paper from the law. And he offered a big reward, eighty gold pieces, to anyone who would take that warrant into Sherwood Forest and arrest Robin with it.

But nobody in Nottingham would do it. They knew too well what had happened to the last men who tried.

So the Sheriff sent a messenger to the next town, to look for someone braver. And at the Blue Boar Inn, the messenger found a great big tinker, who mended pots and pans, with a pack on his back and a heavy crabstaff in his hand. And the tinker boasted, 'Robin Hood? I'd like to see him! I'll serve that warrant on him, and have the reward, and crack his head into the bargain!'

So the Sheriff gave the tinker the warrant. And off he went into Sherwood, to find Robin Hood.

And on the road, the tinker met a cheerful young fellow. 'Where are you going, tinker?'

'I'm looking for Robin Hood,' said the tinker. 'I've got a warrant for him, right here in my pocket. Do you know where he is?'

'I might,' said the young fellow. 'Let me see this warrant.'

'No,' said the tinker. 'Nobody sees it but Robin Hood himself.'

'Well,' said the young man, 'it's a hot day. Come and have a drink with me at the Blue Boar, and I'll tell you what I know.'

So they went to the inn. And the young fellow paid for the drinks. And another round. And another. And the tinker sang songs, and drank, and sang, and his head got heavier, and heavier, until at last he fell fast asleep at the table.

And the young fellow, who of course was ROBIN HOOD, reached into the tinker's pocket. And took out the warrant. And took out the tinker's money, too. And he said to the landlord, who was a good friend of his, 'When he wakes up, he'll pay for everything.' And he left.

When the tinker woke up, his pockets were empty. No warrant. No money. And the landlord said, 'That'll be ten shillings for the drinks, please.'

'But that young man said he was paying!'

'That young man,' said the landlord, 'was Robin Hood.'

Well! The tinker had to leave his pack and his tools to pay the bill. And off he stormed into the forest, shaking his head like an angry bull. And sure enough, he came face to face with Robin Hood, on a forest path.

'Hello, my sweet bird!' said Robin, laughing. 'How did you like your ale? Will you sing me another song?'

And the tinker raised his crabstaff. 'I'll rattle your bones, that's what I'll do!'

So they fought, staff against staff. And Robin was good. But the tinker was strong. And at the third mighty blow, Robin's staff broke right in half. And the tinker came at him. So Robin did the only thing he could do. He put his horn to his lips. HORN!

And out of the trees came Little John, and Will Stutely, and the Merry Men. And the tinker found himself surrounded.

'Hold on, lads,' said Robin. 'Don't hurt him. He's a fine, brave fellow, and he hits harder than any man I've met in a long while. Tinker, how would you like to give up mending pots, and join us here in Sherwood?'

And the tinker thought about it. About the Sheriff, who'd sent him to do a dangerous job. And about the young man who'd bought him all that ale. And he grinned. 'I will,' he said.

So the tinker joined the Merry Men. And the SHERIFF never got his warrant back.