Long ago the Emperor of Austria sent a man named Gessler to rule Switzerland so that it might be part of his vast empire. An unhappy time began in that land. The Swiss people hated Gessler, for he sought always to increase his own power and cared nothing for the people.
One day Gessler went to the marketplace of Altdorf and watched as the people gathered to sell their wares and visit with each other. He sneered at their friendliness and despised their simple pleasures. As he watched, he came up with a plan.Gessler directed his soldiers to raise a tall pole, and atop this pole he placed his hat. There it stood like a crown, the symbol of Gessler's command. From that day on, all the people were made to bow down to the pole to show their respect to Gessler. "Whoever refuses will be imprisoned," Gessler commanded.
One fine Sunday, a man named William Tell made his way from his home to the market square. Beside him walked his eldest son, Walter. Tell was famous for his skills as an archer and for his fierce independence. But on that day the two were not thinking of anything but the joy they felt in each other's company and the beauty of the land around them. William Tell stood straight as the pines, and Walter walked proudly, happy as always to be with his father.
As they neared the pole, the soldiers stared in disbelief as William Tell and his son walked directly past. They did not bow to Gessler's hat!
The soldiers at once grabbed Tell and his son. "You are under arrest!" they cried and led him to their commander.
Gessler stared silently at Tell. He had heard the soldiers speaking of his skill and the townspeople bragging of his courage. "They say you are a fine archer," Gessler said to Tell.
"That I am," Tell said proudly.
"They tell me you can hit whatever target you choose."
"That is true," said Tell.
Gessler smiled a wicked smile. "Then you will prove your skill to me. If you are successful, I will not punish you for your disrespect."
The soldiers waited to hear what test Gessler would offer.
"Come outside," Gessler commanded. He and Tell and Walter walked outside, followed by the soldiers. There the people gathered round, awaiting word of William Tell's fate, for he was beloved in the village of Altdorf.
"William Tell is about to win his freedom," Gessler announced to the crowd. The people grew silent.
"Your son," Gessler said to Tell, "will stand beside that pine one hundred paces distant. You must pierce the apple that will be placed upon his head with an arrow from your quiver. If you succeed, I will set you free."
The people trembled with fear. They held their children close. But William Tell and his son were not afraid. "Go," Tell said to his son, and Walter marched 100 paces to the pine.
The soldiers followed him and roped him to the tree. One of the soldiers placed an apple on his head.
William Tell drew two arrows from his quiver. Standing proud and tall, he looked at his son, and his son at him. Some of the people thought they could detect a trace of a smile on their faces.
Tell slowly fit the arrow into the bow. Then he carefully brought the bow into place. He focused his sights on that apple. In the next moment, the crowd let up a roar, for the arrow whizzed across the space and hit the apple in its center, splitting it precisely in two!
Tell turned to face Gessler, a look of determination on his face.
Gessler was almost breathless with rage. "Tell," he asked, "why did you place the second arrow in your belt? Were you so unsure of your shot?"
"If I had missed my first shot," Tell said angrily, "I would have killed you with the second."
"Seize him," Gessler roared to the soldiers, and they rushed forward and grabbed Tell.
"Take him to the dungeon in my castle across the lake," Gessler cried. His brow poured sweat, his face reddened and fury shook his whole body.
The soldiers quickly followed their leader's command. They led Tell down to the dock, put him in a boat and rowed across the windy lake. Almost at once, a great storm rose up and waves crashed against the small boat. The men were soon soaked and exhausted. At last one soldier turned to Tell. "Please, you know this lake better than we, good sir. If we untie you, will you guide us to shore?"
"I will," Tell said. The soldiers set him free. Soon Tell had the boat under control, hold-ing it with all his strength against the storm. He steered close to a narrow point of land, and when they had reached shore, Tell leaped ashore, pushing the boat back into the lake.
"Come back," the soldiers cried, but William Tell was out of sight already, dashing through the brush toward his home and family.
Not long afterward, as the evil Gessler rode through the forest, an arrow whizzed from the trees and struck him in the chest. He died instantly, and Switzerland became a free land.
No one ever saw William Tell again, but the story of his bravery spread. Some say it was his son, Walter, who helped to spread the tale.