MARIA SAT ON the doorstep, watching the sun set. Suddenly she saw a stranger trudging up the hill.
“Papa!” she called. “Somebody’s coming!”
As the stranger approached, she could see that he was a young man, probably not much older than she was. He looked very dirty and very tired. “Hello,” she called. He stopped in front of the house.
“I am looking for José the blacksmith,” said the stranger. “Do you know where I can find him? I asked for help at the castle of Don Sancho, but they just laughed and sent me away.”
Maria’s father came out. “I am José,” he said. “Will you join us for dinner?”
Grateful, the man came inside.
Over dinner the man told them his name was Alexander. He was from a faraway country called Scotland.
“What brings you to Spain?” asked José.
“I am an apprentice to a blacksmith,” said Alexander. “My master used to be the best blacksmith in town. But a Spanish man just moved in, and now everybody buys their swords from him. My master sent me here to learn how to make Spanish swords.” He pulled out a dagger to show José. “This is what I need to learn.”
José turned the
