Classics KALYANI NAVYUG MEDIA PVT. LTD. NEW DELHI Sitting around the Campfire, telling the story, were: AUTHOR MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAaVEDRA WORDSMITH Lloyd S. Wagner ILLUSTRATOR RICHARD KOHLRUS COLORISTs JAYAKRISHNAN K. P. & VINOD S. PILLAI LETTERERS BHAVNATH CHOUDHARY, LAXMI CHAND GUPTA & Ghanshyam Joshi EDITORS divya dubey & andrew dodd EDITOR (informative content) RaSHMI MENON ART DIRECTOR RAJESH NAGULAKONDA PRODUCTION CONTROlLER VISHAL SHARMA COVER ART BY RICHARD KOHLRUS, JAYAKRISHNAN K. P. & PRINCE VARGHESE DESIGNER JAYAKRISHNAN K. P. Published by Kalyani Navyug Media Pvt. Ltd. 101 C, Shiv House, Hari Nagar Ashram New Delhi 110014 India www.campfire.co.in ISBN: 978-93-80028-55-2 Copyright © 2010 Kalyani Navyug Media Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Campfi re, an imprint of Kalyani Navyug Media Pvt. Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in India at Rave India ABOUT THE AUTHOR Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was born on September 29, 1547 in Spain. Although his father was a doctor, Miguel’s family resided in poverty. They also often moved around Spain, and as a result of this, little is known about Miguel’s early life. After some studies in Madrid, Miguel became a soldier at the age of twenty- one. In 1571, he took part in the battle of Lepanto, and lost the use of his left arm during the fi ghting. While returning from military service, Miguel was kidnapped by Barbary pirates and enslaved in Algiers for fi ve years. After several escape attempts, he was eventually ransomed and returned to Spain in 1580. Five years later, Miguel entered the civil service, working as a tax collector and government purchasing agent. Irregularities with his accounts led to his being imprisoned on two occasions. By 1585, Miguel had developed an interest in a literary career and he published his fi rst novel La Galatea that same year. He also wrote numerous plays in the following years. However, literary success eluded the author until the publication of Don Quixote in 1605. The success of the novel was such that an unauthorized sequel appeared forcing Cervantes to write his own second part, published one year prior to his death in 1615. In a certain village in La Mancha, there lived one of those old-fashioned gentlemen who are never without a lance on a rack, an old shield, a lean horse, and a greyhound. The gentleman was about fifty years of age, of a strong and healthy complexion, lean-bodied and thin-faced, an early riser, and a lover of hunting. He passed his time in reading books of adventurous knights, and, with little sleep and much reading, his brain dried up, and he lost use of his reason. For his own honor, as well as to serve the public, he decided to become a bold knight, and roam throughout the world. 5 He began by cleaning and repairing a suit of armor that had belonged to his great-grandfather, and had been carelessly left to rust in a corner. Then, he made a visor with some pasteboard which, when fitted to the headpiece, made it look like an entire helmet. As soon as this was done, he went to look at his horse, whose bones stuck out terribly. He spent four days considering what name to give him… and finally decided on Rozinante. Dedicating his quest to the maiden Dulcinea del Toboso—who was, in truth, a big-boned country girl he once had affection for—he rode off in search of glory, leaving behind him a worried niece. Who doubts that in future ages the story of my famous deeds will be brought to light and written about? O happy era, O happy age, when my famous deeds will be revealed to the world! 6 Don Quixote traveled all day until, when wilted from his long day riding under the sun, he came upon a small inn. What castle is this? Now, there stood at the inn door, two young common women. But, as Don Quixote advanced, they looked to him like two graceful ladies. The commoners, afraid at the approach of a man cast in iron, and armed with a lance and a shield, were about to run toward their lodging. I beseech your ladyships, do not be scared. My knighthood does not permit me to injure anyone, least of all innocent ladies of such a high rank. When they heard themselves called innocent, something they were most certainly not, the commoners could not stop themselves from laughing out loud. Remember, modesty is becoming in a lady. Laughter without reason indicates foolishness. My only intention is to serve you. 7 I expect no less Sir Knight, if from your great magnificence, your worship would like noble sir, and therefore I ask to dismount, you will that you generously grant me not fail to find a a favor. I beg that tomorrow bed here. you will bestow the order of knighthood on me. The innkeeper had been aroused by the laughter of the ladies. He was a man whose weight required him to lead a life of peace and quiet. The only thing that troubled Don Quixote was that he did not hold the appropriate title. He believed he could not lawfully undertake any adventures till he had received the order of knighthood. Do you have any money? Not a penny, for I never read a story of chivalry where a knight carried money with him. I command The innkeeper, who already had a you, never from this suspicion that his guest’s mind was time forward, to ride confused, was fully convinced of it without money. when he heard him talk in this manner. Going to the courtyard, Don Quixote solemnly prepared for the next day’s ceremony. I will keep vigil over my arms through the night, so that I will be ready for the morning. Later that night, a carrier, unaware of Don Quixote’s vigil, decided to water his herd of mules in the great yard that adjoined the inn. Take heed! Do not attempt to touch the arms of the most valorous knight that ever held a sword. 8 Aid me, Lady Dulcinea. Do not let your protection fail me in my first encounter. Soon after, another carrier, not knowing what had happened, As inspired as he was, Don Quixote had came to water his mules. Don Quixote, without speaking, broke not anticipated what would come next. the carrier’s head in three or four places. The noise of the attack alarmed everyone at the inn, and they ran outside. Oh, Lady Dulcinea, turn your eyes on this bold knight, on the brink of such a great adventure. But, even under this barrage of stones, he did not dare to go far from the horse trough, for fear that it would seem as if he was abandoning his arms. 9