Next Grandma called to Joan, "Do you know who you share a name with?" Joan stood up, "We studied her in school, Joan of Arc. She was a very brave girl."

My name is Joan of Arc. I was born in 1412 in France. My family lived in a small town. We were not rich, but we always had enough to eat. When I was thirteen years old I began to have dreams that told me that one day I would do something very special. I believed in these dreams. When I was seventeen, I apporached some very important people and told them about my dreams. My dreams told be I was to be a soldier. Women during this time were not allowed to be soldiers. Women had other important jobs like farming and weaving cloth.

Many laughed at me and told me I was being foolish. But finally a very powerful man believed in me and gave me an army to lead. I wear armor just as the men do. Armor is a suit made of heavy metal to keep arrows from piercing our bodies. We have won many battles, but there are still many more to be fought in this very long war. Some have taken to calling me the Maid of Orleans. Many people admire me. They encourage me to continue being a great warrior. I plan on fulfilling my duty to France and to my dreams, and lead my men into many great victories.