Almost everyone knows the iconic picture of Wiliam Tell shooting an apple of his son's head.
The story of William Tell supposedly took place in the year 1307. Tell got arrested because he hadrefused to pay his respects to the newly appointed Austrian ruler Gessler. Therefore, Gessler commanded Tell to shoot an apple of his son's head with a single bolt from his crossbow. Tell took two bolts out of his quiver. With a single shot, he split the apple. Afterwards Tell was asked why he took out two bolts instead of one. At first he responded that it was out of habit. But when he was asked again and assured that he would not be killed for answering honestly, Tell said the second bolt was meant for Gessler's heart should he have failed.
I wanted to try this remarkable shot myself. Balloon volunteered to take the role of Tell's son on him.
The story of William Tell supposedly took place in the year 1307. Tell got arrested because he hadrefused to pay his respects to the newly appointed Austrian ruler Gessler. Therefore, Gessler commanded Tell to shoot an apple of his son's head with a single bolt from his crossbow. Tell took two bolts out of his quiver. With a single shot, he split the apple. Afterwards Tell was asked why he took out two bolts instead of one. At first he responded that it was out of habit. But when he was asked again and assured that he would not be killed for answering honestly, Tell said the second bolt was meant for Gessler's heart should he have failed.
I wanted to try this remarkable shot myself. Balloon volunteered to take the role of Tell's son on him.
The first "apple" took three arrows to split. As you can see, the first arrow was too much to the right and a little too low, the second arrow was already closer and the third was spot-on.
After this first attempt I was happy that I did not kill Balloon. But, should I've been Tell, Gessler would have killed my son because I did not shoot the apple with a single arrow!
So: let's try again.
Practice does make perfect. I shot the apple with a single arrow this time. That means Balloon survived both me and Gessler!
I tried once more. Apparently Robin Hood's ghost got a little jealous at William Tell's at this point, and decided to step in. I not only shot the apple again with a single arrow, but I also split the pencil which was holding up the apple with that same arrow! I think it should be called a William Robin Tell Hood-shot. I decided not to challenge my good fortune by trying to repeat this shot. ;-)
I'm afraid Balloon was on the edge of a nervous breakdown at this stage.
So, I called it a day.
Let's have an apple now!