The story of Beowulf is the oldest known poem written in English. But English has changed a lot since the poem was written and it is very difficult to read using today's English. No-one knows who wrote the poem about a thousand years ago. The story told in the poem took place in Denmark.

King Hrothgen and his wife had suffered for twelve years. Each night, the monster called Grendel caught and ate one of the King's people.  No-one could stop the monster.

In a nearby land across the sea, Beowulf  heard of King Hrothgen's problems. With fourteen of his young friends, Beowulf sailed the stormy seas.

The King celebrated the arrival of Beowulf and his friends. It was the first celebration that the castle had held for a long time. Beowulf  boasted of how he was going to kill the monster with his bare hands for his grip was said to be the strongest in the land. The King thought that this was very foolish for the monster had a tough and thorny hide; too tough for the sharpest sword. What chance would Beowulf have without a weapon?

The brave young men slept in the castle hall. Only Beowulf was awake, waiting for the monster Grendel. The doors to the great hall were forced open and Grendel reached in through the darkness and seized one of Beowulf's men. As the monster began to devour the unfortunate man, Beowulf reached out and grabbed the monster's arm near its shoulder.

A tremendous struggle followed. No matter what Grendel did, he could not break Beowulf's grip on his shoulder. Finally, the monster's arm was wrenched from its body. Grendel cries of agony could be heard as he struggled back into the swamps where he soon died.

At last, the people of King Hrothgen were able to sleep in peace. Or so they thought. For soon, Grendel's fearsome mother came to avenge her son's death! Eventually, Beowulf killed her too.

He returned to his own land as a great hero. Later he became the king, and he ruled wisely for half a century. He died from wounds that he got fighting and killing a fearsome dragon that threatened his land and his people. Beowulf was given a hero's funeral.