Any writer should also be a reader. I have been for a long time and though I have read hundreds of books, only a few have become truly my favorites. A lot of them are books that I read when I was younger and that left a deep impression on me. Everyone remembers the first time they visited the Kansas prairie of the Little House books or the fantastic realm of Narnia.

One of those books for me was undoubtedly, Robin Hood.

Robin Hood and his merry men and their adventures in Sherwood Forest have long been told and retold in the form of audio books, re-publishing of the tales and many movies. Whether or not you agree with Robin’s cherished idea of “rob from the rich to give to the poor”, there is no denying that he has become an iconic person and symbol.

But was he a real person? I have often wondered that. And though there is debate on whether or not Robin Hood and his merry men were real people, it made me stop and wonder about the power that stories have over us. The tales of Robin Hood are often categorized in the same genre as King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table. That of the legend or folktale. Stories told over and over again in such a way that you begin to believe that they are true. And if they aren’t true, you want them to be.

If you haven’t read about the wonderful adventures of Robin Hood, I would encourage you to! There is nothing that can make you better understand the undying lessons and enjoyment that come from a well told story. And if you have read the stories before, but perhaps in an abridged or children’s version, I would encourage you to get your hands on a real copy of the actual tales. They are twice as beautiful and inspiring to read!