
Mrs. Turtle reading The Quest of the Green Knight to Franklin
The Quest of the Green Knight is a fairy tale story familiar to the people of Woodland. It tells the story of a village that was trapped within a long winter. Many brave knights try to free the village the curse of the long winter, but each fail. The story is that of the Green Knight, who finally finds a way to break the long winter, but learns an important lesson along the way.
One year, when Woodland is itself mired in a long winter, Franklin asks his mother to tell him the story. The story inspires Franklin, who suggests it as the basis for the upcoming spring play for Mr. Owl's class. His classmates then suggest him for that of the starring role of the Green Knight. Later, Franklin overhears the adults of Woodland expressing worry over the long winter at a baby shower for his upcoming baby sibling. He decides to take on the role of the Green Knight himself, taking Snail as his squire, in order to bring spring to Woodland.
The story is featured in the film Franklin and the Green Knight. Mrs. Turtle received a book of the story from Franklin's Great Aunt Harriet when she was a child.
Plot[]
One day, there was a village in which winter had lingered far too long. The villagers were all very worried, as they were unable to plant their crops and were worried about starving. Many knights came, each pledging to bring spring. They gave great hope to the village, but none of them were able to bring spring. The villagers feared they were doomed, but there was still one hope. In a castle overlooking the village was the bravest knight of all: the Green Knight.

The Green Knight and his Squire in the storybook
The Green Knight's Squire told him he feared they would all go hungry, but the Green Knight replied that he feared nothing. The two thus ventured forth to search for spring, the Green Knight declaring that he would bring spring, for he was the bravest knight in the all the land, and the people would cheer no one but him. The Squire said that they may have taken a wrong turn, when suddenly they heard a cry for help. The Green Knight pulled his sword from the Squire's sack, charging forward, as someone needed their help.
The two arrived to find a small Goblin caught in the claw of a Griffin. The Green Knight jumped forth, waving his sword and demanding that the Griffin release him. Scared by the sword, the Griffin dropped the Goblin and flew off. The Goblin leapt forth and clutched the Green Knight's leg in joy, praising his courage. The Green Knight told him he must be off, that spring still eludes them. He hopped back on his horse, but the Goblin told him that if he sought spring, he should repay him for saving his life. He said that deep in the forest where the sun rises and the rainbow ends, there was a cherry tree as old as time itself. He told him that if he took its blossoms and scattered them, spring would come. The Green Knight asked him to point him in the right direction and he did.
The Green Knight and his Squire journeyed to the end of the rainbow, finding a pink tree bursting with magic cherry blossoms. "Squire," directed the Green Knight, and the Squire stepped forth reaching for the cherry blossoms, when suddenly a booming voice declared himself to be the guardian of tree, asking who dared to approach. The Squire startled, but the Green Knight told the voice that he was the Green Knight. He drew his sword, declaring that he had come to take the blossoms, so his country could see spring. Suddenly, a robed Lynx appeared, speaking in the same voice and telling him that the blossoms were not his to take, that he had to prove himself worthy.
Suddenly, there was a loud roar. The Green Knight and the Squire found themselves faced by what the Squire called the most fearsome of dragons, though the Green Knight again stated that he feared nothing. He strapped on a helmet and took his lance from the Squire. He charged forth, only to discover that that the dragon's hide was like armor, which he could not penetrate. He then discovered that the dragon's tail was not armored and went to bite it, only to recall that frogs like him do not have teeth. He moved aside for his Squire, who bit the dragon's tail, causing it to yelp and run away.
The Green Knight declared that his country would know that he was the bravest and most heroic. The Lynx then appeared, stating that it was glory that the Green Knight desired, not the good of his people. He told him that he may have defeated the dragon, but he was not worthy. Hearing these words, the Green Knight declared the Lynx to be right and laid down his sword before the tree, stating that he was not a true knight, that a true knight acts with a true heart. As he returned to his horse, the Lynx reappeared, telling him to wait, that with those words, he had proven himself worthy. He told him to take the cherry blossoms and the Green Knight thanked him, calling him wise and kind. The Green Knight took the blossoms, casting them upon the wind with the phrase "Farewell winter, we bid thee welcome spring." They settled upon the land, melting the snow, spring blooming and delighting the villagers.
"The Green Knight beamed with joy, for he had let spring's beauty enter his heart. The end."