The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Tired old ladies would awaken from their sleep and say: 'Why, there goes Brom Van Brunt leading his wild group again!' Sometimes late at night Brom and his friends would rush through town shouting loudly from the backs of their horses. He always won the horse races in Tarry Town and earned many prizes. One was a strong young man named Brom Van Brunt. He saw himself as master of the Van Tassel farm with Katrina as his wife.īut there were many problems blocking the road to Katrinas heart. Ichabods eyes opened wide when he saw the riches of Katrinas farm: the miles of apple trees and wheat fields, and hundreds of fat farm animals. Ichabod had a soft and foolish heart for the ladies, and soon found himself interested in Miss Van Tassel. She was a girl in bloom…much like a round red, rosy apple. She was the only daughter of a rich Dutch farmer. Every Sunday after church Ichabod taught singing.Īmong the ladies Ichabod taught was one Katrina Van Tassel.

To help him pay for his food he earned extra money teaching young people to sing. And although he was tall and thin, he ate like a fat man.

Ichabod did not make much money as a teacher. He had big ears, large glassy green eyes and a long nose. His head was small, too, and flat on top. His shoulders were small, joined two long arms. Ichabod Crane was a good name for him, because he looked like a tall bird, a crane. It was settled many years ago by people from Holland. Near Sleepy Hollow is a village called Tarry Town. Every night he rises from his burial place, jumps on his horse and rides through the valley looking for his lost head. The story says the man died many years ago during the American revolutionary war. But the story that people believe most is about a man who rides a horse at night. There are many stories told about the quiet valley. Narrator: The valley known as Sleepy Hollow hides from the world in the high hills of New York state. It is about something strange that happed long ago in a valley called 'Sleepy Hollow'. Todays story is called 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving