THE LEGEND OF GELERTTS OF MUD !
Long, long ago in North Wales there lived a Prince called Llywelyn. He had a dog that was more well known throughout North Wales than Llywelyn himself, this faithfül hound was called Gelert and was always seen by the prince's side.
Everyone loved Gelert, but no-one more than his master. Although a talented hunting dog Gelert was also kind and gentle and admired by all. One day Llywelyn was out hunting, he'd decided to leave Gelert behind on this one occasion to look after his precious baby son. As soon as Llywelyn left the palace, Gelert lay on the floor, his head resting on his paws, carefülly watching the baby prince. He listened to the sounds around him, he heard the maids in the kitchen, the distant cries ofthe hunters on the Welsh mountains and the soft breathing of the baby prince. Suddenly he heard a creeping sound, he spun round and saw a huge wolf with sharp teeth. The wolf crept closer to the cradle but Gelert leapt forward to stop him. They fought and fought until the wolf was dead! Then Gelert crawled away to lick his wounds.
When Llywelyn retumed from the hunt, he saw the overtumed cradle and the bloodstained Gelert. Feeling sure that his hound had killed his little son, he stabbed Gelert without a second thought. Then he heard a small cry, and when Llywelyn tumed around he saw his son alive and well, beside him lay the dead wolf! Llywelyn fell to his knees realising what had happened and wept bitterly. He was broken hearted and it is said that he never smiled again. The grave of Gelert can still be visited today, in a place called 'Bedd Gelert'. And all who go there are saddened by the tale.
