TGIF

The boys have been sick this week, and Jonathan was in bed all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. We're finishing up our chapter of history anyway, and after having read three or four different accounts of the life of Joan of Arc, he gave me this narration:

Joan of Arc Narrative

Once, in a little hut, a baby was born. That baby would change the history of the world forever. She was Joan of Arc.

The part in which she became famous started when she was thirteen. She heard a voice and looked up to see who it was, but she only saw a blindingly bright light. By the third time it happened, she could make out the features of Saint Michael. Pretty soon, other saints came to visit her. Those other saints were also surrounded by the bright light.

When Joan of Arc was fourteen, her father once had a dream she would run away with soldiers. He ordered her two brothers to drown her if that ever happened, since he didn’t want to split apart his family. She did run away, but scared her brothers by pretending she was a ghost killed in battle, and they ran all the way back home.

One time, St. Michael came and he said to her that she had to go and help the French fight the English. At first, she was frightened, but St. Michael assured her that she would win. Then, the angel Gabriel came and told her that she had to go and crown the prince because his father, the king, was dead. She went to Orleans because that’s where the king lived, defeating the English forces on the way. Finally, she made it to Orleans and went to the church to ask the bishop to anoint the king with the holy oil. Then, he was given a scepter in his right hand and the rod of justice in his left. Then, he got the golden spurs and belt of lordship. Finally, he got to wear the crown.

With the king on her side, Joan was more powerful than ever. She and her legions marched toward the English territory, along with the king’s army. Once they got to the English territory, they plunged into a battle, which I’d rather not talk about, although I will say that Joan of Arc mourned for even those soldiers who were on the opposite side.

Pretty soon, in another battle, Joan got captured and was forced to enter the court, accused of heresy, which is the teaching of wrong beliefs. Its punishment is death and the letter H for heretic burned into your hand. The only witnesses that were allowed to be there, were people who hated Joan. They made up stories about her and pretty soon, they started asking trick questions, like, “Are you in a state of grace?” This was a trick question because if she answered, “yes” she would be claiming knowledge that only God could possess, and if she said, “no” that meant that she was in a state of sin. Joan answered, “If I am, may God keep me there and if I am not, may God change my ways.” The court was stunned by this, but Joan was found guilty in the end and was burned at the stake the next day. She asked for a cross, and one affectionate priest gave her one. She kissed it and hid it in her clothes.

Joan’s body may be long gone, but her spirit still lives in the hearts of many historians and children.

The End