mere

Grendel's Mere

My Story

I was born merely twelve hundred years ago. That doesn't mean just twelve hundred, it was literally in a mere. Like a lake in a bog, and no I don't mean a toilet. We were respectable then. I grew up with my mother and lived off frogs and birds and creatures that came too close to the water.

People ask tiresome questions. Like, how do you breathe underwater. I just like do. Live with it. Any more impertinence? What about your father. I really don't know and am not interested in rumours just go bother someone else.

When I was older I discovered food just a few miles from my house. They were just there, lying waiting for me like a larder. When I picked them up they twitched and squealed a bit but a hefty bite to the ribs stopped them wriggling. I went there many times.

Later a conqueror came who had legs like tree trunks. I wasn't that frightened of him but I got it wrong and he had my arm off. I managed to stagger home. Mummy swore revenge. Then I died in her arms and became a legend.

I wish I could have married and had children. I would have been a good father, I would have taken them to the local chess club where they could eat up the opposition.

There are many free onine translations of Beowulf, in both poetry and prose. Check out this one.