Joan of Arc

In a far-off village of the province of Lorraine in France, there lived a countryman, whose name was Jacques D’Arc. He had a daughter, Joan of Arc, who was twenty years old at the time of our story. She had been a lonely girl from her childhood. She had often tended sheep and cattle for whole days, without seeing a human figure or hearing a human voice. She had often prayed for hours together in the dark little village church. She thought that she could see some figures there and that they spoke to her. Many of the villagers believed that Joan saw strange sights and whispered among themselves that angels and spirits talked to her.

One day, Joan told her father that she had heard a strange voice, which told her to go and help the Dauphin. She almost always heard these voices, when the church bells were ringing.

Joan believed when she saw strange sights and heard strange voices. Her father said, “I tell you, Joan, it is your fancy. Have a kind husband to take care of you.” But, Joan told him in reply, “I will not marry. I will go and help the Dauphin.”

One day, Joan set off in the company of an uncle to find a lord named Baudricourt, who could take her to the Dauphin. They had to travel a long way in order to reach the lord’s house. When the servants at the gate went in and told the lord that a poor peasant girl wished to see him, he asked them to send her away. But, he soon changed his mind, sent for Joan, and questioned her. He then wanted to send her on to the town of Chinon, where the Dauphin was. So, he bought her a horse and a sword and gave her two men to take her to Chinon. Joan wore men’s clothes. She also wore a sword. She mounted her horse and rode away with two men.

When Joan reached Chinon, she saw the Dauphin and told him that God had commanded her to put down his enemies and crown him king of Rheims. The Dauphin sought the advice of some learned men and priests. They questioned her and thought she had some spiritual power.

So, Joan mounted her horse again and rode on. She reached Orleans. She rode upon a white war-horse in a suit of shining armour, with a sword at her belt and a white flag before her. Behind her came a large body of troops with supplies of food for the defenders of the city. An English army was then besieging the city of Orleans.
When the people on the walls saw her, they cried out, “The Maid is come! She will save us!”. This and the sight of the Maid filled the English with fear. The French broke the English lines and entered Orleans.

From that time, Joan became “The Maid of Orleans”. She remained in Orleans for a few days. Then, one day, she led the French troops against the besiegers and defeated and drove them away. Then she led the French forces against the English armies and defeated them in a number of battles.

Finally, the Maid of Orleans and the Dauphin came to Rheims. In the big church of Rheims, the Dauphin received the Crown. He became Charles the Seventh. Then, the Maid knelt humbly at his feet and said, “I have done my duty. The only reward I ask is to leave to go back to my home.” But, the king settled a large income upon her.

Joan did not return to her village to lead the simple life of a shepherdess there. She continued to help the king. All the time, she led a religious unselfish, and modest life. At last, she fell into the hands of the British. They burnt her. But, the fire could not destroy her spirit or her work. Her love of country and leadership continued to guide the French for a long time. Little by cattle, the French drove the English out of France and finally, became free.

Questions :

1. What did Joan think about the voice she heard?
2. Who sent her to the Dauphin’s court?
3. What did the Dauphin do?
4. Why was she called the Maid of Orleans?
5. How did she help the Dauphin?

[Source – Stories for Children – II, Published by – Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, Prashanti Nilayam]