A Good Day, a Bad Day
Macbeth lived in Scotland. Duncan was the King of Scotland, and Macbeth was one of his lords - the Lord of Glamis.
Duncan was a good king, and all his people loved him. But the Norwegians wanted to take Scotland from him. They came across the sea in their ships, and there was a big fight. Macbeth was in the fight, and he killed and killed and killed. At the end of the fight, the Norwegians went home in their boats. Duncan was still king of Scotland, but many of his men were dead. "A good day and a bad day" , said Macbeth.
Three Old Women
Macbeth walked home across the fields. His friend Banquo was with him. Their hands were red with blood. There was blood on their clothes. The air was cold. The sky was grey. There was no sunlight. There were no people or houses near.
"A good day and a bad day," said Macbeth. "A good fight, but a cold grey sky." Then Macbeth stopped.
"Look," he said.
There were three old women in front of them.
"Who are you?" said Banquo. "Where do you come from? What do you want?"
The three old women put their hands on their mouths.
"Speak!" said Macbeth. "what are you?"
The 1st old women said, "Macbeth, Lord of Glamis."
The 2nd old women said, "Macbeth, Lord of Cawdor."
The 3rd old women said, "Macbeth, King of Scotland."
Macbeth said nothing, but Banquo said, "Macbeth is going to be Lord of Cawdor and King of Scotland?"
"Yes," they said.
So Banquo said, "Tell me, what am i going to be?"
The 1st old women said, "Happy, and not happy."
The 2nd old women said, "Not a lord."
The 3rd old women said, "And not a king. But your son, and his son, and his son's son, are going to be kings."
Then they said, "Goodbye, Macbeth and Banquo."
"Stop!!", said Macbeth. "Don't go!! Tell me more. I am Lord of Glamis now, i know that. But Lord of Cawdor? The Lord of Cawdor is still alive. And King of Scotland? King Duncan is alive, too, and he has two sons."
There was no answer.
"Where are they?" said Banquo.
Macbeth looked, and looked again. But the three old women were not there.
"They went into the air," said Macbeth. "Or under the ground."
"Is it true?" said Banquo, "Were they here?"
Macbeth said, "Your son and his sons, and his son's sons, are going to be kings."
"But you are going to be king," said Banquo.
"And Lord of Cawdor, too. But how?"
Then two Scottish lords, Ross and Angus, came across the field.
Ross said, "Macbeth, King Duncan said, 'Thank you. Thank you for your help in the fight.' You are now Lord of Cawdor."
"What??"bsaid Macbeth and Banquo.
"The Lord of Cawdor is still alive," said Macbeth.
"He is alive now, yes," said Angus. "But he's going to die. He helped the Norwegians. Now come with us to the king."
Banquo went with Ross and Angus.
Macbeth said, "Were the three old woman right? Or wrong? Good? Or bad? I am Lord of Glamis and Cawdor. But before I am King of Scotland, Duncan must die. The king must die."
Then Macbeth said, "What am i thinking? What am i thinking?"
"Macbeth," said Banquo, "Come with us to the king."
"I'm coming," said Macbeth.
King Duncan
King Duncan was with his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain.
"Is the Lord of Cawdor dead?" he said.
"Yes," said Malcolm.
"He was one of my lords," said Duncan. "I liked him. I liked his face. But i was wrong. He was not my friend."
Then Macbeth came in, with Banquo and Ross and Angus.
"Macbeth!!" said the king. "Many many thanks for your help, my good friend."
"You are my king." said Macbeth.
"And Banquo, " said the king. "Many many thanks to you, too."
"You are my king." said Banquo.
"Macbeth," said the king. "I'm coming to your house tonight."
"Thank you, my king," said Macbeth, "I must go home. I must tell my wife. Our house must be ready for you."
So Macbeth went home.
