Robin Hood knew that the sheriff had vowed to catch him. So for almost a year, he and his men did not leave Sherwood Forest. They stayed deep in the woods, amusing themselves with archery games and wrestling matches. But at last Robin grew restless and bored.
"I'm off to find some adventure," he announced one day.
Walking along the road, he soon met a young butcher driving a cart filled with meat. The day was sunny and the butcher was whistling a happy tune.
"Good morning!" called Robin. "You seem cheerful today."
"I am cheerful!" said the butcher. "Next week I'm marrying the prettiest girl in Locksley!"
"Oh, I know Locksley well," said Robin. "I used to live there."
"You did? What's your name?"
"Robin Hood."
"The famous outlaw!" gasped the butcher. "Oh no! Please don't rob me!"
"I won't rob an honest young man from Locksley! Especially one who's getting married next week." Robin laughed as he looked over the man's cart and horse. "Where are you going with all this meat?"
"I'm going to the market in Nottingham to sell my beef and mutton," the butcher replied.
"I'd like to be a butcher for a day," Robin Hood said. "How much is all this meat worth?"
The man named a price, and Robin took out his money. "Here, I'll give you double that amount."
"Sold!" The young man climbed down from the cart and handed Robin the horse's reins. "Thank you, Robin Hood," he said. "You're not a thief after all. You're an honest and generous man."
Robin smiled at the joyful young butcher. "It's my pleasure. Now get back to Locksley and your pretty girl."
Robin rode into Nottingham and soon found the market. He set up a stall near the other butchers and spread out the meat.
"Good housewives!" he called. "I'll sell you three pennies' worth of meat for one penny. Widows and poor women! I'll give you your meat for free. Who wants to buy something from me?"
People began to crowd around Robin's stall. His prices were so low that no one visited the other butchers.
The other butchers began to talk and grumble among themselves.
"Where did that guy come from?"
"He must have stolen the meat and cart!" complained one butcher.
"No," said another butcher. "A thief would never sell the meat so cheaply. He'd want to make as much money as possible."
"I think he's the son of a rich man," said a third butcher. "He's trying to sell as many of his father's things as he can."
The other butchers nodded in agreement.
It didn't take long for Robin to sell all the meat. The third butcher went over to talk to him.
"Good day!" said the butcher. "The Sheriff of Nottingham has invited all the butchers to a feast at the banquet hall. Come join us!"
"Gladly!" Robin said merrily. He was packing a lot of adventure into this day.
The sheriff was already at the banquet hall. The other butchers told him about the rich young man selling meat.
"Perhaps I can take advantage of this wealthy fool," the sheriff said to himself. When the new butcher arrived, the sheriff waved him over. "Please. Sit next to me."
The two men joked and laughed throughout the meal. The sheriff never realized he was talking to Robin Hood.
"You're quite amusing!" said the sheriff.
"I know you like to be entertained," said Robin slyly. "Wasn't it fun when Robin Hood won your gold arrow at the archery contest?"
The sheriff's face suddenly got dark, and the room went silent. A couple of butchers turned away, to hide their grins.
"It's time for a toast!" Robin raised his cup. "To the sheriff! May you catch Robin Hood! And may everyone enjoy this feast. I'm going to pay for it!"
The sheriff laughed, though not quite as loudly as before. "Young butcher, you spend your money so freely. You must own a lot of land and animals."
"I don't know how much land we have," Robin said with a shrug. "But it is a lot. And my family has more than five hundred horned animals. We haven't been able to sell them. So that's why I became a butcher."
By now the sheriff was certain he could trick this silly butcher. He also knew he could make some money.
The sheriff smiled at Robin Hood. "I like you very much," he said slyly. "You're a generous man and very entertaining. Perhaps I can help you."