Your class has been learning about the different character traits of leaders and how those traits can be found in other stories. Your teacher gives the class two different stories to read.  

After you have reviewed these stories, you will answer some questions. Briefly scan the stories and the three questions that follow. Then, go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the questions and complete your research. You may use scratch paper to take notes.

In Part 2, you will write an informational paper using information you have read.

Source #1

Sir Philip was Confused
Author Unknown

1)      King Mortimer had sent Sir Philip into the wilderness with instructions to destroy the dragon that had been terrorizing the countryside.

2)      The King had more than 500 knights, but he had chosen Sir Philip and he did not stop to explain why. King Mortimer viewed dragons as the worst menace in the kingdom.

3)      When Sir  Philip had first  set  out  on his  quest, he  was filled  with  a  sense of  anticipation of the  events to  come. In his imagination, he could see what was going to happen. He would slay the dragon and receive the congratulations of King Mortimer.

4)      But things didn’t quite turn out that way.

5)      The previous evening, Sir Philip had arrived near the lake where the dragon was supposed to live.  He camped for the night, sharpened his sword, and went to bed early. In the morning, Sir Philip opened his eyes. A pair of eyes was looking into his.  Large eyes. Orange eyes. Dragon eyes.

6)      Sir Philip jumped out of his sleeping blankets in a great hurry, knocking over his sword. It made a great clattering noise. He chased after it. His heart was pounding with fear. He could almost feel the flames shooting from the dragon’s mouth to roast him alive. Standing there, he suddenly recognized that he didn’t feel very roasted, or  even hot. In fact, he felt quite cold. Looking down, he figured out why. He wasn’t wearing any pants.

7)       “Chilly?” asked the dragon. “Wh—what?” asked Sir Phillip, shivering.

“I suppose you’ve come to slay me,” said the dragon. “Well, yes, I have,” said Sir Philip.

“How tiresome,” said the dragon? “Once every few months, some king or other sends a knight out here to try to slay  me. Gets kinda boring, if you ask me. Don’t you people have anything better to do?”

8)      You’ve been terrorizing the countryside!” said Sir Phillip.

“Baloney,” said the dragon.

“You eat the people’s sheep,” said Sir Philip.

The dragon laughed. “I’m a vegetarian,” he said. “Mostly I like ferns.”

“But haven’t you been scaring the people?”

“People get scared when they see me, I suppose,” said the dragon. “But that’s just because

I’m big.”

“And you shoot fire out of your mouth,” Sir Philip pointed out.

“A bad habit,” admitted the dragon. “But I’ve never harmed anyone.”

9)      Sir Philip looked confused. “But what happens now? I have a reputation. If I come home without slaying you, no one will respect me.”

“So people will only respect you if you do some killing first?”  Asked the dragon.

Sir Philip looked worried. “I guess you’re right. But what am I supposed to do now?” “I suggest you start by putting your pants on,” said the dragon.

Source # 2

WASHINGTON AS A FIGHTER From American History Stories, Volume III  
by Mara L. Pratt

Adapted by Marisa Adams

1)      George Washington was known for being a quiet man. He hardly ever raised his voice and he really didn’t like to fight. But, when it was needed, Washington, could be loud and strong. His clear sense of right and wrong was what made him such a good General and President.

2)      This event shows his strength, his firmness, and his ability to act quickly. One day, Colonel Glover's Marblehead soldiers and Morgan's Virginia riflemen started to argue. The Virginians laughed at the way the Marblehead’s talked because they had a different dialect in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The Marbleheaders, on the other hand, made fun of the way the riflemen dressed.

3)      The two groups went from yelling to hitting. Before they knew it, they were in a full fight and didn’t know Washington had ridden up on his horse.

4)      Washington quickly figured out what was happening. He jumped from his horse and threw the reins to his servant. Then, he ran into the middle of the fight and grabbed two of the biggest, strongest of the soldiers. He held them at arm's length and shook them until they looked at him with shock. They cried out and asked for forgiveness.

5)      Then, he spoke quietly and gave directions that the two men be taken to their camps. He also said there should be no more arguing between the two groups. He rode away, leaving everyone staring in surprise at the man usually so peaceful.

6)      Washington’s actions showed his men that even though he liked peace and quiet, he could definitely act when he needed to.