Read the following story:
Once upon a time in a land far away, a dragon terrorized a
village. One day, Sir Guilemot was riding through the village
and heard about the dragon. Sir Guilemot took it upon
himself to rid the villagers of this menace. He climbed the
mountain where the dragon lived and confronted it.
However, by the time he had defeated the dragon, his
injuries had overcome him, and he died before returning to
his homeland. But every year in his memory, the villagers
honor him with a celebration of jousting, feasting, and
merriment, ensuring that his sacrifice was not in vain.
By ending the story this way, what impact is the author most clearly trying to
have on the reader?
A. The author wants to provide the reader with a sense of hope
despite the story's tragic ending
B. The author wants the reader to think about the futility of having
too much optimism
C. The author wants to set up a mood of tension and anxiety about
what will happen next
D. The author wants the reader to understand that Sir Guilemot's
need for glory should be mocked