Pilgrim's Progress - An Adventure Book

  With a powerful blow from his sword, Greatheart cuts off the giant's head. James says, "Wow!" and Greatheart turns round to look for us. Mercy has hidden her face, but I was watching every moment of the battle.

  Greatheart calls us forward. "We're nearly at the House Beautiful.," he says. "Keep close to me and the lions won't hurt you. Their master is dead, and they're too frightened to spring at anyone."

  We follow Greatheart to the lodge of the large house. A man holding a lantern looks out of a window and asks who we are.

  "Greetings, Watchful. I have brought some pilgrims here to stay," Greatheart says. "I know I'm late, but the giant who used to look after the lions caused us some trouble."

  "Used to look after the lions?" Watchful asks. "Do you mean to say Giant Grim is dead?"

  "Greatheart cut his arm off," Joseph said.

  "And then he cut the giant's head off," James adds. "It was ever so exciting."

  It's excitement I could have done without, but I'm glad the danger is over -- not just for us, but for other pilgrims who will be coming this way later.

  "Are you going to stay as well, Greatheart?" Watchful asks.

  James goes close to Greatheart and grips his hand, "Please, please stay with us. I'll never forget how brave you've been, and how much you've helped us."

  "I will go with you gladly," Greatheart tells him, "but I have to go back tonight. I'll tell Interpreter what you say, and perhaps he will let me come to you again. So, good Christiana, Mercy and my brave boys, farewell."

  Greatheart is soon out of sight, for it's now completely dark.

  Watchful tells us the big house is called the House Beautiful, and a family of four sisters live there. He takes us there and rings the doorbell. The young woman who answers the door goes quickly back inside the house with Watchful's message, leaving us outside. I hear my name being mentioned in great excitement.

  How do the sisters in the House Beautiful know about Christiana?

  A girl who says her name is Prudence hurries out with two other girls to welcome us. Prudence explains that they heard about me from Christian, and are excited to know that I'm here now. She tells us that their oldest sister, Discretion, has gone away to work for the King in another place.

  Prudence's two sisters introduce themselves as Piety and Charity. They kiss us in welcome, and this time even the boys seem to welcome their attention. We can stay with them for a month, to rest and learn about the King.

  I'm worried about Matthew. My three other brothers enjoy listening to stories of the King and his Son, but Matthew stays out of the room. Every morning when he gets up he says his head aches, and he often feels so sick and weak he finds it hard to stand.

  Today he can hardly lift his head from his pillow when I go to wake him. I run back to my room to finish dressing, so I can ask Prudence what to do. Prudence sends at once for a doctor, an old man called Dr. Skill. He arrives quickly, and I take him up to see my brother.

  Matthew is lying in bed, and Joseph is sitting by him, for the two are fond of each other.

  "What has he been eating?" Dr. Skill asks.

  "Nothing but healthy food," I tell him.

  The doctor shakes his head. "He has been eating some sort of poison, and if the medicine I give him won't take effect, he will die,"

  I feel so worried that I'm unable to speak, but Samuel cries out, "It must be the berries that were hanging over the wall, after we went through the Wicket Gate. Matthew ate some. Remember, Christiana, you made us throw them away?"

  I remember now. "I told him not to eat them," I say, "but he wouldn't listen to me, and kept putting them into his mouth."

  "Ah," Dr. Skill says, "I knew he had eaten something poisonous. That fruit is worse than any other, for it grows in the evil prince's own garden."

  I feel tears running down my cheeks, for Matthew is looking so white. "What can I do for him?" I ask. "How could I have been so stupid as to let him eat those berries?"

  When Dr. Skill sees how frightened I am, he speaks gently. "Do not be too unhappy, Christiana. I have some of the King's medicine with me. If Matthew didn't eat too much fruit, it will do him good."

  Dr. Skill prepares some pills and tries to get Matthew to swallow them. But Matthew refuses, even though he's groaning with stomach pain and saying he feels as though he's being pulled to pieces inside.

  "Come on," the doctor says, "you have to take them."

  Still Matthew refuses.

  "Matthew, do as the doctor tells you," I say firmly.

  "I'll be sick," Matthew complains. "Then they'll all come up again."

  I pick up one of the pills and touch it on my tongue. It tastes slightly of honey, but has no strong flavour. "Matthew," I say firmly, "if you love me, and if you love your brothers, and if you love Mercy and love your own life, take your medicine!"

  I know I sound rather strict, but it works. Matthew sits up and swallows the pills. Almost immediately he has to rush to the bathroom. He comes back rather embarrassed, but he's so excited to be feeling well again that he goes off to tell Prudence, Piety and Charity how he's been healed.

  "I'd like to keep some of those pills with me," I tell Dr. Skill, and he's willing to prepare some and tell me how and when to use them. It seems they will heal almost any sickness in a true pilgrim.

  I decide it was probably a good thing for Matthew that he suffered so much, for he now seems more ready to listen to my advice. He even agrees to let Prudence teach him, and he comes to her with my other brothers, asking her to explain things he doesn't understand about the King and his Son.

  *

  The time passes pleasantly and, toward the end of the month, Joseph reminds me that we want Greatheart to guide us to the Celestial City.

  "He was so good to us, and he's so brave," my brother says. "How can we find out if Interpreter will let him come?"

  "I will write to him," I say.

  So I write a letter and give it to Watchful, who sends it with a messenger to the house of Interpreter. In the evening we hear a knock at the door. Greatheart has arrived. Joseph and James run to cling on to him, and I'm pleased to see he's still wearing his amour.

  We leave the House Beautiful, and Greatheart leads us safely through a scary place called the Dark Valley. He says Christian fought the Destroyer here, but today Greatheart calls to the King, who keeps us safe.

  We reach the end of the valley and Greatheart points to a cave. "A giant lives in there now," he says. "He knows me and he hates me. Whenever I bring pilgrims out of the valley he tries to stop us."

  We draw near the cave, and the giant's massive head looks out. He rushes out waving a large club, and shouts angrily, "How often have you been told not to do these things, Greatheart?"

  "To do what things?" Greatheart asks.

  Here is the giant's name. What is it?

  The giant is called Maul, a name that means he hurts people by knocking them about -- which is why he has a sword in his belt and such a large club in his hand. This is what he looks like. There are three changes in the second picture. One is very easy to spot, but can you find all three?

  Giant Maul's club is missing, and so is the handle of the sword on his belt. The third change is to the buttons on the top of his tunic, below his neck.

  "You know exactly what I mean," the giant roars angrily, "and I'm putting a stop to it." He seizes his great club and climbs down the rocky path towards us. "You catch men, women and children, and lead them to a strange country far away from my master's kingdom. That is what you do."

  "I am a servant of the King," Greatheart calls. "It is my duty to help people find the Way to the King. If you want to fight me because I obey the King, I'm ready for you."

  Giant Maul rushes at Greatheart, and strikes him such a terrible blow with his club that Greatheart falls on his knees. I scream in fright, for I think our faithful guide is about to be killed. But Greatheart springs up and hits the giant's arm with his sword.

  "I'm going to kill you, Greathear
t," Giant Maul roars. "Then I'm going to take these pilgrims back to my prince, and get a big reward."

  I know deep down that the King won't leave Greatheart to fight on his own. When the fight begins again, I can see Greatheart's strength and courage increasing every moment.

  Maul's power is failing, and he can no longer hold his heavy club. As it falls from his hands, Greatheart thrusts his sword through the giant's chest. In a few moments Greatheart stands alone on the pathway, the giant dead at his feet.

  Greatheart raises his sword and cuts off the giant's head with a single blow. We start to cheer, for although the fight was scary to watch, we know the giant was one of the King's terrible enemies, and it's right for Greatheart to kill him.

  A little distance from the cave we reach a small hill. Greatheart tells us it's time to take a rest, and see what lies ahead. As we sit comfortably on the grass, I turn to Greatheart. "Were you frightened when the giant hit you with his club?" I ask.

  Greatheart smiles. "At times. But I knew the King would help me, because I was only doing my duty. The King's Son was once wounded, but he conquered in the end, and he won't let his servants be defeated if we're faithful to him."

  I can see some huge bruises on Greatheart's arms. I ask him if he's badly hurt.

  "Not badly," he says. "The cuts and bruises haven't Hurt me badly, but Even if they never heal, Keep In mind that it is No good running away from Giants. I will always remember that I received them fighting for …"

  Who did Greatheart receive them for?

  (Hint on the next page.)

  Hint: The answer is in the capital letters.

  Greatheart received his wounds fighting for THE KING.

  Later that day we meet an old man called Mr. Honest, and he wants to walk with us. He tells us he once knew someone called Mr. Fearing, and wonders what happened to him. Greatheart says he knew him too, and tells Mr. Honest what happened after Fearing started through the Wicket Gate.

  Greatheart says that Goodwill wrote a letter for Fearing to take to Interpreter, asking Interpreter to send a guide to go with him all the way to the Celestial City. But Fearing spent several days and nights in the cold outside Interpreter's gates before anyone knew he was there. Then one morning Greatheart happened to see him from one of the windows, and went down to speak to him. Fearing was weak for want of food, but he brought out Goodwill's letter, and after a little trouble Greatheart persuaded him to enter the house.

  "And did you stay with Fearing all the way after that?" Mr. Honest asks.

  Greatheart nods. "All the way to the Celestial City. Fearing was pleased when we came to the Cross, and stayed there a long time lost in thought. Whatever he was thinking, it seemed to cheer him up. He didn't mind Hill Difficulty, or the lions each side of the path. He wasn't afraid of such things. He was only afraid the King would think he wasn't fit to be a pilgrim."

  "Did you and Fearing stay at the House Beautiful?" I ask. I have many happy memories of that place.

  "Fearing loved it there," Greatheart says. "He was too shy to have much to do with the four sisters, or with their other guests, but he liked to sit in the corner and listen to them talking."

  Mr. Honest smiles. "How did he get on in the Dark Valley?" he asks.

  "I was afraid it would be terrible for him," Greatheart says. "And indeed it was, but the King didn't allow him to be troubled in the way many pilgrims are. I never saw the valley so light or so quiet at any other time. In Vanity Fair he was angry at the things he saw around him, but he was braver there than anywhere, and was ready to fight the enemies of the King at every turn. However, we passed through the town without being hurt, and after travelling slowly for some time we crossed the Enchanted Ground, and came to the Land of Beulah."

  "Fearing must have been happy when he saw the Gates of the Celestial City," Mr. Honest says.

  Greatheart shakes his head. "Not at first. He wandered along the bank of the Dark River, looking across at the bright walls, and saying that he was sure he'd never be received there. He kept saying he'd be lost in the deep water. But when the message came for him to go across, I went down to watch. The water was so low that he went over easily. Then the angels met him on the other side, and I saw him no more."

  Mr. Honest is glad to hear of his old friend's pilgrimage, and to know he reached the Celestial City safely.

  This is Mr. Honest. There are three changes in the next picture. Can you spot them?

  Be careful, because what looks like two things is only one!

  His sword has gone (both ends, so this only counts as one), the top of his staff is shorter, and the branch in top left corner is missing.

  I say, "I thought I was the only person who's afraid that perhaps the King won't receive them. I feel afraid so often."

  "So do I," Mercy whispers.

  "And I do," Matthew admits. "And then I think maybe the King will be angry with me for even thinking it."

  "No," Greatheart assures us, "the King won't be angry. I think all good pilgrims feel anxious sometimes."

  Mr. Honest turns and looks at each one of us. "If anyone imagines they're good enough to be admitted to the Celestial City, it shows they aren't the King's true servants," he says.

  My two youngest brothers are complaining that they're feeling tired after their long day, and I have to admit I'm exhausted. The sun has already set, and I keep thinking of the two giants Greatheart has killed -- Giant Grim and Giant Maul. We've had enough excitement for one day, and it's time to find somewhere to sleep for the night -- preferably indoors.

  I ask Greatheart if he knows of a place where we can rest in safety.

  "A friend of mine keeps an inn near here," Mr. Honest says. "His name is Gaius. I'm sure he'll let us stay the night."

  Gaius welcomes us, and offers us food and beds for the night. He has a young daughter whose name is Phoebe. Phoebe tells us she has already passed through the Wicket Gate, and now wants to go to the Celestial City. Her father says it would be good for her to travel with us. Phoebe looks almost too small to travel, although she must be about the same age as James -- and he's getting on all right. Phoebe insists on going with us, so Gaius asks us to stay for a few days while his daughter prepares for her journey.

  When we leave Gaius, Phoebe is with us, and Greatheart says our next stop will be at …

  You've read the name before, muddled up like this on a signpost, when Christian reached the same town.

  We spend the day crossing the plain, a wild area where nothing much grows. After walking for several hours we see the walls and gates of Vanity Fair in the distance. I begin to feel afraid as we get nearer the town of the evil prince.

  "Is this where poor Faithful died?" Mercy asks me.

  Phoebe is talking to James, but she hears us. "Yes," she pipes up. "It's where the people killed Faithful, and kept Christian shut in a cage."

  Mercy gasps, and puts her hand to her mouth. "Do you think they'll put us in a cage?"

  I feel my face going white, for although Phoebe is small she sounds as though she knows what she's talking about. I try to sound calm. "If we get separated from each other, let's remember how good the King's Son has been to us. We know he's always watching over us. If we have to suffer, we must be brave because we love him."

  "Do we have to pass through the town?" Mercy asks. "Isn't there a way round?"

  Greatheart looks kindly at her. "We could go round," he says, "but then we might not find our way onto the right path again."

  "I think we should go straight into Vanity Fair," Phoebe says firmly, and although she's the smallest in the group, she seems to have taken charge.

  "We'll have to spend the night in the town," Greatheart tells us. "If we pass straight through the town this evening, we won't be able to reach another resting place before dark."

  "Where can we sleep?" I ask, trying not to sound too frightened. "Will the people harm us?"

  "I don't think so," Greatheart says. "I've brought many pilgrims safely through Vanity Fai
r, and I know a good man who keeps an inn. He will let us stay with him, and be pleased to see us, I'm sure. What do you think?"

  One by one we all agree to take Greatheart's advice.

  "Why would good people want to live in Vanity Fair?" Samuel asks. "Isn't it wrong for them to live there?"

  Greatheart shakes his head. "The King has given them work to do there. They help and protect the pilgrims who are passing through, and do their best to make sure no one decides to stay in the town."

  Here are Christiana and her brothers at the inn, with Mercy and others. The man who keeps the inn has a most unusual name. Look in your Bible and find the real person with this name, in Acts 21:16. What is he called?

  The name of Greatheart's friend is Mnason. The real Mnason was a friend of Saint Paul, and he came from Cyprus. Most people pronounce the name 'Nayson' but some say 'Muh-nayson'. You can say whichever you like!

  Vanity Fair is less busy than I expected, probably because it's now early evening. Some of the people laugh as we pass them, but nobody tries to stop us. We reach the marketplace, and Greatheart shows us the spot where Faithful was killed.

  Outside a small inn, Greatheart calls Mnason's name and a man comes out and makes us welcome.

  Mnason shows us to a large room set with tables. As soon as we're sitting down, Mr. Honest asks Mnason if there are many good people in Vanity Fair.

  "We have a few," Mnason says. He signals to his young daughter called Grace. "Go and tell my friends that I have some pilgrims at my house who would like to meet them here this evening."

  Grace runs off and soon comes back with a group of people. Grace has a younger sister called Martha, who is the same age as Joseph. The two sisters seem to be great friends with all these visitors.

  Mnason tells us that since the death of Faithful, the people in the town have been much kinder to pilgrims. "I think they still feel guilty for that they did," he says.

  The talk turns to our adventures and misadventures so far. Greatheart tells how he killed Giant Grim and Giant Maul.