James Baquet

    Mark sees his classmate Ming studying in the common room of their dorm.

    Mark: Hi, Ming. What are you reading?

    Ming: An old story about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

    Mark: Which story?

    Ming: It’s called “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

    Mark: I’ve heard of that! You just said his name “guh-WAIN.” Is that how you’re supposed to say it?

    Ming: That’s how my teacher said it.

    Mark: I think I’ve also heard “GOW-unn.” Anyway, remind me of the story?

    Ming: Arthur and his men are having a feast on New Year’s Eve when a giant green man rides in on a giant green horse.

    Mark: The Green Knight, right?

    Ming: Right. And he issues a challenge. Someone there should chop off his head. Then, a year and a day later, that person will have to find him and get his head chopped off.

    Mark: Sounds like a safe bet.

    Ming: You would think! But still, there was a big discussion before Gawain said he would do it for the honor of the king.

    Mark: So, he chopped off the guy’s head?

    Ming: Yes! And it rolled away. But then the headless knight picked it up, and it spoke! It reminded Gawain to meet him next New Year’s. Then the Green Knight got on his horse and rode away.

    Mark: Creepy!

    Ming: But kinda cool! So late the next year, Gawain sets out to find the Green Chapel, where they’re supposed to meet. He has a hard time finding it, though, and on Christmas Eve —

    Mark: Just a week before New Year’s Eve —

    Ming: He prays to the Virgin Mary for help. Looking up, he sees a castle, and decides to go there to ask directions. The lord of the castle is very friendly. He lives there with his beautiful wife, and an ugly old lady who is never named. He tells Gawain the Green Chapel is near, and says he can stay in the castle until just before the meeting.

    Mark: That was kind of him.

    Ming: Yes, it was. Then he makes Gawain a deal: The lord will go hunting every day for the next three days. Whatever he brings home, Gawain can have — if Gawain will give him whatever he gets.

    Mark: Sounds fair.

    Ming: Yeah, but in stories like this, a guy has to be careful!

    Mark: So what happened?

    Ming: Well, the lord goes out, and while he’s gone, his wife starts flirting with Gawain.

    Mark: Oh, no!

    Ming: But all he did the first day is kiss her.

    Mark: Good man!

    Ming: Yup. So the lord comes home and gives Gawain the deer he killed, and Gawain gives him — a kiss!

    Mark: Seriously? He kissed a guy?

    Ming: Yes! Listen, I have to go.

    Mark: Sure! Looking forward to it!