Two version of The Sword in the Stone?

[Nanna]

Hey guys

I've been researching a bit on this book, and apparently there are two versions of it? On different websites I see people say Arthur gets transformed into a fish, falcon, ANT and badger whereas in my book and on other websites he gets transformed into a fish, falcon, SNAKE and a badger.

Nonetheless I found nothing on the web, that explained this madness? What could be the explanation of this?

[Nanna]

Also the story about the geese and their society is not in my book either? WHAT IS THIS SORCERY.

[Bryn]

Yes, I have an explanation. You know the fifth book, The Book of Merlyn? It wasn't included in The Once and Future King, and was only published in '77. He had written the geese and the ants for the Book of Merlyn, but in the published Once and Future, which left Book of Merlyn out, these scenes were inserted with the other animal transformations in Sword in the Stone.

So, since I have The Once and Future King and The Book of Merlyn, I have them twice. They must have taken these scenes out again in your Sword in the Stone.

Right, I'm confused at the end of that.

[Nanna]

Thanks for your quick response! I creeped a little more around the internet and apparently the stories of the ants and geese are in, as you say, the compilation 'The Once and Future King' and apparently these books are meant for adults, whereas my book 'The Sword in the Stone' is defined as a childrens' book and therefore have the story of the owls and the snake. Hmm. :)