THE ADVENTURE of THE BOBBING LIGHTS
by Unknown · from The Red Romance Book
Adapted Version
Don Quixote and Sancho were very tired. It was dark. They were a little lost. Rocinante the Horse was tired too. Don Quixote felt a little sore. Sancho felt tired. They wanted a place to rest.
Then they saw lights. Many lights moved in the dark. They bobbed up and down. The lights came closer. Don Quixote felt a little scared. Sancho felt scared too. They stopped their animals.
Don Quixote was a brave knight. He thought this job was big. He must be strong. He must help people. "This is a great adventure," he told Sancho. "I must be brave now. I will face it."
The lights came very close. Don Quixote saw men. They wore white clothes. They carried bright lights. Behind them was a dark box. Other men rode donkeys. These men wore black clothes.
Don Quixote looked at the dark box. He thought it held a poor knight. This knight needed help. Someone did a bad thing. Don Quixote felt very angry. He must make it right. He must help the poor knight.
Don Quixote rode into the road. He stood in front of the men. He spoke in a loud voice. "Who are you?" he asked. "What is in that dark box? Tell me now!"
A man said, "Go away! We are busy." Don Quixote disliked this. He rode Rocinante the Horse fast. He waved his long spear. He made loud noises. He charged at the men. The men in white ran away. Their lights fell down.
Don Quixote stopped. He looked around him. One man was on the ground. He had fallen down. The man hurt his leg. He could not get up. Don Quixote saw him.
The Hurt Man spoke to Don Quixote. "We are good men," he said. "We take a friend to his rest. He died of a bad sickness. We go to a city far away."
"Oh," said Don Quixote. "He just died. This is not a bad wrong." He was not sorry. "Do not walk at night like this!" he said. "People will think bad things! They will think you are ghosts."
Don Quixote helped the Hurt Man. He put him on his donkey. "Tell your friends about Don Quixote," he said. "He is the Sad Knight. He says sorry for the mistake. It was a big mix-up!"
Don Quixote smiled. He was still a brave knight. He sometimes made funny mistakes.
Original Story
THE ADVENTURE OF THE BOBBING LIGHTS
Both Rozinante and his master had fared so ill at the hands of the shepherds that they journeyed but slowly, and darkness fell without their having reached an inn, or even caught sight of one. This grieved sorely both knight and squire, for not only did all Don Quixote’s bones ache from the stoning he had undergone, but somehow or other their wallets had been also lost, and it was many hours since they had broken their fast.
In this plight they travelled, man and beast hanging their heads with fatigue, when they saw on the road, coming towards them, a great multitude of lights, bobbing up and down, as if all the stars of heaven were shifting their places. Neither Don Quixote nor Sancho felt much at their ease at this strange spectacle, and both pulled up their beasts, and waited trembling. Even Don Quixote feared he knew not what, and the hair stood up on his head, in spite of his valour, as he said to Sancho:
‘There lies before me, Sancho, a great and perilous adventure, and one in which I must bear a stout heart.’
‘It seems to be an adventure of phantoms,’ whispered Sancho fearfully, ‘which never was to my liking.’
‘Whatever phantoms they be,’ answered the knight, ‘they shall not touch a hair of your head,’ replied Don Quixote soothingly. ‘If they mocked at you in the inn, it was for reason that I could not leap the fence. But here, where the ground is open, I can lay about me as I will.’
‘And what if they bewitch you, as they did that other time?’ asked the squire. ‘How much will the open ground profit you then’?
‘Trust to me,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘for my experience is greater than yours’; and Sancho said no more.
They stood a little on one side watching the lights approaching, and soon they saw a host of men clad in white riding along the road. The squire’s teeth chattered at the sight of them, and his terror increased when he was able to make out that the moving stars were flaming torches which men in white shirts carried in their hands, and that behind them followed a litter draped in black. After the litter came six other men dressed in black and mounted on mules. And Sancho had no doubt that he saw before him shadows from the next world.
Though Don Quixote’s heart quailed for a moment at the strangeness of the vision, he soon recalled his valour. In an instant his fancy had changed the litter into a bier, and the occupant into a knight who had been done to death by foul means, and whom he was bound in honour to avenge. So he moved forward to the middle of the road, and cried in a loud voice:
‘Proud knights, whoever you may be, stand and give me account of yourselves, and tell me who it is that lies in that bier. For either you have done an ill deed to some man, or else a wrong has been done to you.’
‘Pardon me, fair sir,’ answered the foremost of the white-shirted men, ‘but we are in haste, and the inn is far. We have no time for parleying.’
This reply only confirmed Don Quixote’s worst suspicions.
‘Stop, or you are a dead man,’ cried he in tones of thunder. ‘Tell me who you are and whither you are going, or else I will fight you all’; and with that he seized the mule by the bridle. The mule, not being used to such rough treatment, reared herself up on her hind legs, so that her rider slipped off her back. At this sight one of the other men ran to his aid, calling the knight all the ill names he could think of, which so inflamed the anger of Don Quixote that he laid about him with his spear on every side. Even Rozinante seemed to have gotten a new spirit as well as a new body, for he turned him about so nimbly that soon the plain was covered with flying white men, still holding the bobbing torches. The mourners who rode behind did not escape so easily, for their long skirts and cloaks hindered them from moving, and Don Quixote struck and beat them just as he would, till they took him to be a giant or enchanter rather than a man.
Sancho, as was his custom, bore no part in the fray, but stood by and said to himself: ‘Had ever any man such a master!’
When Don Quixote’s rage was somewhat abated, he paused and gazed about him. Then, seeing a burning torch lying on the ground, and a figure near it, he went up, and perceived by the light that it was the man whom he had first attacked.
‘Yield, or I will slay you!’ he shouted, and the man answered grimly:
‘I seem to have “yielded” as much as can be required of me, as my leg is broken. If you are indeed a Christian knight, I pray you of your nobility to spare my life, as I am a member of the Holy Church.’
‘Who brought you here, then?’ asked Don Quixote.
‘Who? My ill fortune,’ replied he. ‘I and the eleven priests who have fled with the torches set forth as escort to the body of the gentleman that lies in the litter, bearing it to its tomb in the city of Segovia, where he was born.’
‘And who killed him?’ said Don Quixote, who never imagined that any man could die naturally.
‘He died by reason of a most pestilent fever,’ answered the wounded man.
‘Then,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘I am delivered from the duty of avenging his death, which would otherwise have fallen to me. For in case you are ignorant, I would have you know that I am the knight Don Quixote de la Mancha, and it is my place to wander through the world, helping those that suffer wrongs and punishing those who inflict them.’
‘As to helping those who suffer wrongs,’ replied the churchman, ‘for my part I can see nothing but that it is you and no other who have inflicted the wrong upon me. For whereas I was whole before, you have given me a thrust which has broken my leg, and I shall remain injured for ever.’
‘You and your friends the priests,’ answered Don Quixote, in no wise abashed by this remark, ‘have wrought the evil yourselves by coming in such wise, and by night, that no man could think but that you were ill creatures from another world.’
‘Then, if you repent you of the wrong that you have done me,’ said the man, ‘I pray you, worshipful knight, to deliver my leg from the bondage of this ass, who has my leg fastened between the stirrup and the saddle.’
The kind heart of Don Quixote was shocked at his thoughtlessness, and he answered quickly:
‘You should have told me of your pain before, or I might have talked on till to-morrow’; and he called to Sancho Panza, who was busily robbing the mule that carried the provisions. Hearing his master’s voice, Sancho left off with an ill grace, and, placing the bag of food on his own donkey, went to see what his master wanted.
Between them both they set the mule on its feet, and the man on its saddle. Don Quixote then put the torch in his hand and bade him ride after his companions, and not to forget to ask their pardon in his name for the wrong he had unconsciously done them.
‘And,’ added the squire, ‘if your friends should ask the name of this gentleman, who now craves their forgiveness, tell them that it is the famous Don Quixote, the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance!’
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Weary and injured, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza encounter a mysterious procession of bobbing lights in the dark. Don Quixote, convinced it's a perilous adventure involving a murdered knight, bravely attacks the group, scattering them and injuring one. He discovers they are priests escorting a body to burial, not villains. Unabashed, Don Quixote blames the priests for their appearance and sends the injured man to ask forgiveness from his companions in the name of the 'Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance'.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to mistaken triumph to mild embarrassment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is an adaptation or excerpt from Miguel de Cervantes' 'Don Quixote,' a foundational work of Western literature, satirizing chivalric romances. The character of Don Quixote is a hidalgo who has read too many chivalric novels and decides to revive chivalry, leading to numerous misadventures where he mistakes mundane reality for fantastical challenges.
Plot Beats (12)
- Don Quixote and Sancho are exhausted, injured, and lost in the dark after a bad encounter.
- They see a strange procession of bobbing lights approaching, causing them both fear.
- Don Quixote, despite his fear, resolves to face what he believes is a great and perilous adventure.
- The procession is revealed to be men in white carrying torches, a black-draped litter, and men in black on mules.
- Don Quixote's imagination interprets the scene as a murdered knight on a bier, prompting him to avenge the perceived wrong.
- He confronts the group, demanding they identify themselves and the deceased.
- When the leader tries to dismiss him, Don Quixote attacks the procession with his spear, scattering the men.
- Don Quixote pauses his assault and finds one of the men, injured with a broken leg.
- The injured man reveals they are priests escorting a gentleman who died of fever to his burial in Segovia.
- Don Quixote declares himself absolved of avenging a natural death but remains unrepentant for his actions, blaming the priests for traveling at night in such a manner.
- Sancho, who was robbing the provisions mule, is called to help free the injured priest.
- Don Quixote helps the priest onto his mule and instructs him to tell his companions that Don Quixote, the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance, asks their forgiveness for the unconscious wrong he did them.
Characters
Don Quixote
Tall and gaunt, with a lean build, showing signs of weariness from his adventures. His bones ache from a recent stoning, suggesting a somewhat fragile constitution despite his delusions of grandeur.
Attire: Wears a rusty suit of armor, likely ill-fitting and showing signs of neglect, perhaps with dents and scratches. Underneath, he would have simple, worn clothing typical of a Spanish hidalgo of the 17th century, such as a doublet and breeches, but these are mostly obscured by his 'knight's' attire.
Wants: To right wrongs, protect the innocent, and live out the chivalric ideals he has read about in books, thereby achieving fame and honor.
Flaw: His profound delusion, which causes him to misinterpret reality and often harm those he intends to help. He is easily swayed by his own imagination.
In this specific adventure, he remains largely unchanged, reaffirming his delusional role as a knight and his mission to right wrongs, despite causing harm.
Delusional, valiant (in his own mind), righteous, impulsive, and somewhat oblivious to reality. He genuinely believes he is a knight-errant.
Sancho Panza
A short, stout, and somewhat plump Spanish peasant man, appearing weary and often fearful. His build suggests a love for food and a less active lifestyle than his master.
Attire: Dressed in practical, worn peasant clothing typical of 17th-century Spain: a simple linen shirt, rough wool breeches, a jerkin or waistcoat, and sturdy leather boots. He might wear a simple felt hat.
Wants: To gain wealth or a governorship promised by Don Quixote, and to avoid danger. He primarily wants comfort and security.
Flaw: His cowardice and gluttony often lead him to abandon his master in danger or prioritize food over duty.
In this adventure, he remains consistent in his role as the fearful, pragmatic squire, more concerned with his own safety and provisions than his master's chivalric ideals.
Pragmatic, fearful, loyal (despite his complaints), gluttonous, and somewhat cynical. He is the voice of common sense, though often ignored.
Rozinante
A lean, bony, and old horse, showing signs of extreme weariness and neglect. His ribs are likely visible, and his coat is dull. Despite his condition, he possesses surprising bursts of spirit when his master is in battle.
Attire: Wears a simple, worn bridle and saddle, likely made of old leather, showing signs of repair and age.
Wants: To carry his master, Don Quixote, wherever he goes.
Flaw: His advanced age and poor physical condition, which make him slow and easily fatigued.
Remains a consistent, loyal, and weary steed throughout the adventure, showing a brief moment of renewed vigor during the fight.
Loyal, enduring, long-suffering, and surprisingly spirited when called upon. He mirrors his master's weariness but also his occasional bursts of energy.
The Wounded Priest
A man of average build, dressed in the attire of a priest. He is injured during the encounter, specifically suffering a broken leg, indicating a lack of physical prowess.
Attire: Wears a white shirt, likely a simple alb or surplice, over dark, long skirts or a cassock, typical of a Catholic priest in 17th-century Spain. His clothing would be practical for travel, but still clearly identifying him as a man of the church.
Wants: To safely transport the deceased gentleman to his tomb and to recover from his injuries.
Flaw: His physical vulnerability and inability to defend himself against Don Quixote's attack.
He is a victim of Don Quixote's delusion, suffering an injury but ultimately being helped by the knight, albeit reluctantly.
Pragmatic, exasperated, fearful, and somewhat sarcastic. He is quick to point out the injustice done to him.
Locations
Open Road at Night
A desolate, unpaved road winding through the Spanish countryside under a dark, moonless sky. The only illumination comes from a multitude of bobbing, flickering torchlights approaching in the distance, casting shifting shadows. The ground is likely dry and dusty, typical of La Mancha.
Mood: eerie, mysterious, tense, foreboding, then chaotic
Don Quixote and Sancho encounter the procession of lights, leading to Don Quixote's 'adventure of the phantoms' and subsequent attack on the mourners.
Battlefield on the Plain
The same open, flat plain adjacent to the road, now strewn with fallen figures in white and black, their torches scattered and some still burning on the ground. The air is filled with the sounds of a skirmish, and the ground is churned by hooves and struggling bodies. The darkness of night still dominates, with the scattered torchlight providing dramatic, high-contrast illumination.
Mood: chaotic, violent, absurd, triumphant (for Don Quixote)
Don Quixote's furious attack on the procession, believing them to be evil enchanters or wrongdoers, resulting in the rout of the priests and mourners.