Chapter 10
One morning, King Arthur along with his queen was sitting in his palace in a relaxed mood. A messenger came inside and said to the King, “Your Highness! An old man dressed in white and with a white beard has come outside. He want to see the Majesty at once.”
Hearing the words the King said to the messenger, “Please bring him in with all respect and humility.”
Once inside, the old man with both his palms joined in reverence observed, “Long life, our King Arthur! Your Highness! I have brought a young boy to you. He is the son of a great personality. When he grows up, he will earn name and fame. He is expected to do wonderful things for you. Please make him a knight of the Round Table. He will never let you down.”
King Arthur looked at the young boy. His face was very beautiful and he was wearing a red armour. The old man led the young boy to the Round Table to the seat Perilous. This seat was something extraordinary. If a true warrior sat on it, the seat would mention his name undoubtedly. The same thing occurred in case of the young boy. As soon as he sat on the seat Perilous, a name appeared on the seat. It was written in gold—Sir Galahad. In fact, no knight had dared to sit on the seat before.
After seating the young boy on the seat Perilous the old man went out and disappeared at once. None saw him where he went. Thereafter, addressing all his knights King Arthur said, “Can anyone of you tell me who this young boy is? He is so fearless, brave and courageous. He dares to sit on the seat Perilous. He is not afraid of anybody. I am amazed at his extraordinary talent.”
Sir Lancelot stood up and uttered with all humility, “Sir! I know him, if I am not mistaken. When I rode towards Camelot one day, I came to a house of Good Women. When I was about to leave the house, the Good Women brought out this boy and told me to take him along to Camelot. That is all what I know of this boy.”
All the knights sitting there looked at the boy very seriously. They paid a very close look to him. All of them bore some resemblance with Sir Lancelot. At last, they concluded that his face was like that of Sir Lancelot. One of the knights went on saying, “I think he is Sir Lancelot’s son. I can recollect that when Sir Lancelot was young, he had married. Out of that marriage he had been blessed with a beautiful brave son. I think he is none other than Sir Lancelot’s son.”
Thus all the knights as part of conclusion thought, ‘Sir Galahad is Sir Lancelot’s son. Sir Lancelot knows about this but does not tell anyone.’
But Sir Lancelot did not speak to the young boy as a son. Al the knights were busy discussing the issue. When they heard a loud noise. All became alert lest there should be an enemy. The sound was followed by a great light. It was Holy Grail. All the knights saw that Holy Grail was covered with a piece of red cloth. Soon it had disappeared. Now all the knights felt surprised a lot. They looked at one another but none knew as to where Holy Grail had gone.
Thereupon, Sir Galahad stood up and uttered, “Dear gentlemen! I know this light is Holy Grail. This is the same light from which Jesus Christ drank before he proceeded to his heavenly abode. I know that this light has entered this country. I shall go after this and trace it. Unless and until I am able to trace it, I won’t come back. That is my gentleman’s promise.”
Three other knights who were Sir Lancelot, Sir Bors and Sir Percivale uttered the same thing.
Hearing the words of the knights King Arthur felt dejected. He uttered, “For many years our Round Table has been one. But now it is broken as some of my best known knights would go after Holy Grail to find it out. Maybe I won’t be able to see you again.”
But the knights encouraged the King and promised that they would surely return to the palace. Out went the four knights in search of Holy Grail. They wandered every nook and corner of the country for years, but were unable to trace the Holy Grail.
After many years of wandering, all the four knights came to a place near the sea. They ascended a hill. From there, when they looked down below in the sea, they saw a ship. Although it was evening yet the ship was full of light. It was white light, more bright than sunlight. They knew that they were quite near to their destination. All of them embraced one another out of happiness. Now they descended down the hill and entered the sea. The ship had cast anchor. So, they went into the ship. It was empty. No passenger was on board. First of all, Sir Galahad went into a room. There, he saw a table upon which he saw the Holy Grail. It was shining very brightly. Afterwards all other three knights entered the room. But soon, they fell fast asleep. In the meantime, the ship again set sail for another country.
When they opened their eyes, the ship was sailing smoothly. Soon the ship reached another city. Sir Galahad said to the other three warriors, “We had better take out this table and the Holy Grail.”
Thus they took out the table and the Holy Grail, and entered the city. The King of that city was a scoundrel. Of late, he had passed away. So, the subjects of the city were divided in their opinions as to whom they should choose their new king.
In the hall, all the great and wise men were sitting. They were in discussion over the choice of their new king. A wise old man entered the hall and addressed the gathering thus, “I have chalked out a plan. In your city, four brave knights have just entered. All of them are equally courageous. But the youngest of them is the best of all. Chose him as your King. He will rule over the city in noble manners. He is sincere, truthful and valiant. He will take after his subjects with great devotion and dedication.”
Saying these words the wise old man disappeared from there in an instant and was never seen again. He was the same old man who had come to the palace of King Arthur. After discussing the issue among themselves the wise men found out the youngest knight and made him their new king. So, Sir Galahad started ruling over the city from that day onwards. All the subjects were happy under his rule. As for Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors, they returned to Camelot and informed King Arthur of the proceedings. As for Sir Percival, he started living alone in the city itself. Soon, he devoted his life to God. He would sing hymns in praise of God, day in and day out.
Sir Galahad after ruling over the city for a few years uttered one day, “I have no desire to live any longer. I have seen the divine Holy Grail. Now all my desires have been fulfilled.” So, he ordered a church was constructed; he placed the Holy Grail in it.
Soon after, the same old man came to Sir Galahad and observed, “Dear son, your time on earth is finished. The mission for which you have been sent here is also complete. So go to your own abode. God calls you to Himself.” Saying these words, the old man became invisible.
Next day, Sir Galahad was found dead in front of the Holy Grail. There was peace and calm on his face. All the subjects paid their last tributes to the King and buried him with stately honour.
