The Sword in the Stone is a fantasy novel of the boyhood of King Arthur which combines elements of legend, history, fantasy and comedy. Arthur's youth is a time when he was tutored by Merlyn to prepare him for the use of power and royal life. Wart (Arthur) is an orphan boy being raised by Sir Ector in the Castle Sauvage. He is training as a knight, although he can only rise to be squire because he is of common birth. One time, in the woods, Wart is shot at by an unseen bowman, and meets the wizard Merlyn who is living backward in time, and frequently speaks of things that he has seen in the future. Wart and Merlyn return to Ector's castle, and the wizard becomes the boys' tutor, paying special attention to Wart. Merlyn magically turns him into various animals at times, and they also go through many other adventures.