BR1-10: William Tell

“Look, Father! I'm OK- I'm not dead.”

In the early 1300s, people in Switzerland were unhappy, because their country, Swiss, was ruled by Austrian emperor. They were burdened with heavy taxes, and Austrian soldiers supervised people in the country everywhere and everyday. People tried to ask governor who came from Austria, not to put taxes, and stop soldiers not to watching citizens so many times, but the governor didn't hear their messages at all. As a result, they started to find HERO to save their country.

After that, Tell ordered to hit an apple on his son's head with his crossbow. In spite of governor's request, Tell hit an apple on the head, but his threatening ability was frightened of governor. He decided to put Tell in prison. On the way there, the governor, Tell, and some soldiers were in a dangerous river. A boatman wanted to help to reach the destination, but no one can understand the boat without Tell, so he freed temporarily. Then he took advantage of the chance, he killed the governor on the boat, and he became a HERO of Switzerland.

I only knew the name, “William Tell”, but I didn't know where the story is set, Swiss. The country is known for its being a permanently neutral country. When I heard the word for the first time when I was in junior high school, I thought the country have no military, and no weapons. However, on the contrary, people living in Switzerland have to follow the military when they reach the conscription age.  Then I understand that to protect own country, people must take weapons, and be prepare for menace. This book reminds me again that if someone wants to real freedom, they need to get power and brave.


Von Schiller, Friedrich ; retold by Taylor Nancy. (2011). William Tell. Harlow : Pearson Education.

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