Arthur the stable boy was destined for great things.
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The short story
In the heart of England, nestled between rolling green hills and mist-laden forests, lay the grand kingdom of Camelot. The land was in turmoil, for the great King Uther had passed away, leaving no heir to claim the throne. The nobles bickered, warlords threatened to seize control, and the people yearned for a leader who could restore peace and justice.
Legends spoke of an enchanted sword, embedded deep within a stone in the town square, left there by the great wizard Merlin. Upon the sword, glowing runes proclaimed, “Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone is rightwise king born of England.” Many knights, lords, and even kings from distant lands had attempted to draw it forth, yet none could budge it an inch.
Among the common folk of Camelot was a young boy named Arthur. He was humble and kind, raised by the knight Sir Ector as his own. Arthur’s days were filled with tending the horses, cleaning the stables, and dreaming of grand adventures. Though he was small and unassuming, he carried a strength within him—one that was not of muscle, but of heart.
One crisp morning, Camelot bustled with excitement as the kingdom prepared for a grand tournament. The victor would be honored as the greatest knight in the land. Arthur’s foster brother, Sir Kay, was to compete, but as they arrived, Kay realized he had left his sword at home.
“Arthur, fetch my sword at once!” Kay commanded, his voice laced with urgency.
Arthur, ever eager to help, sprinted through the crowded streets. He reached their home, only to find the door locked. Frustrated but determined, he searched for another solution. His eyes fell upon the gleaming sword within the stone. He had heard the stories but had never dared to dream he could be worthy of such a weapon.
A whisper echoed in his heart, Believe in yourself, Arthur.
Tentatively, he stepped forward. He wrapped his hands around the hilt, feeling an inexplicable warmth surge through his fingers. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. This was not about strength or might—it was about something far deeper.
With a steady pull, the sword slid free, as though it had merely been waiting for the right soul to claim it.
Gasps filled the square as the people turned to witness the impossible. Arthur held the sword high, the morning sun catching the blade’s polished surface. Murmurs turned to shouts, and then cheers erupted.
“It is he!” an elder cried. “The true king of England!”
Confused and overwhelmed, Arthur looked around. “But… I am just a stable boy.”
Merlin, the wise and ancient wizard, stepped forward from the crowd, his long robes flowing like the tides of time itself. “You are more than that, Arthur,” he said, his deep eyes filled with knowing. “You have the heart of a true king.”
The nobles were reluctant, for they had spent years vying for the throne. They demanded Arthur prove his worth. And so, under Merlin’s guidance, Arthur trained. He learned not only the ways of the sword but the values of wisdom, kindness, and justice. The enchanted blade, named Excalibur, became his guide. It whispered to him in times of doubt and shone brightly when he followed the path of righteousness.
As weeks passed, Arthur won the hearts of the people. When warlords sought to overthrow Camelot, Arthur rode forth, not with arrogance, but with courage and strategy. He spoke to the people with honesty, fought alongside them rather than above them, and built alliances through loyalty rather than fear.
And so, the boy who once believed himself to be nothing more than a stable hand became the greatest king England had ever known. For it was not the sword that made him a king—it was his belief in himself, his unwavering heart, and the wisdom to wield power with honor and kindness.
Thus began the legend of King Arthur, whose story would be told for generations to come, a tale of destiny, courage, and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit.
This story was originally written in English.
The papers
Nieft, U., Schlütz, M., & Schmidt, B. (2024). Increasing handgrip strength via post-hypnotic suggestions with lasting effects. Scientific Reports, 14, 23344. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73117-0
Schmidt, B., Rohleder, N., & Engert, V. (2024). Post-hypnotic safety suggestion improves stress coping with long-lasting effects. Scientific Reports, 14, 3548. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54071-3
Schmidt, B., Schneider, J., Deffner, T., & Rosendahl, J. (2021). Hypnotic suggestions of safety improve well-being in non-invasively ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Medicine, 47, 485–486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-021-06364-8
Connection between story and papers
The story of Little Arthur is a powerful example of how hidden inner resources can be activated in times of need. Arthur, unaware of his full potential, encounters a challenge that seems insurmountable: pulling a sword from a stone. Through the process, he taps into resources deep within himself, drawing on strengths and abilities he did not know he possessed. Hypnosis is a means of accessing such latent capabilities, as shown in various studies, including my research on scenarios ranging from a fake job interview in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to life-threatening situations in the intensive care unit.
In a scenario reminiscent of Little Arthur pulling the sword from the stone, we explored whether hypnosis could enhance handgrip strength. Participants exhibited an immediate increase in subjective strength and a significant rise in handgrip strength one week later compared to a control group (Nieft et al., 2024). In another study, those using a post-hypnotic safety anchor experienced half the stress during the TSST, which includes a fake job interview and math task (Schmidt et al., 2024). The most remarkable effects were seen in ICU patients, where hypnosis provided a sense of safety during non-invasive ventilation, enhancing their overall comfort (Schmidt et al., 2021).
When individuals face challenges, hypnosis can facilitate the activation of these inner resources, allowing them to perform beyond their usual limits. Once they master the challenge using these newfound abilities, they automatically unlock additional resources, enhancing their resilience and capacity for growth. In Arthur’s case, by successfully pulling the sword from the stone, he not only proves his worth but also gains the power and wisdom needed to become king. The sword symbolizes both his inner strength and the rewards that come from overcoming obstacles. This cycle of activation and growth demonstrates the transformative potential of accessing and mastering one’s hidden resources.
The author
PD Dr. Barbara Schmidt completed her habilitation in medical psychology, focusing on hypnosis and its applications in challenging situations. She collaborates with professional athletes and opened her own hypnosis practice in Munich in 2025, where she applies her research to help patients unlock their full potential. For more info see her website: https://www.barbara-schmidt.de/.
