The History of Don Quixote, Volume 1, Part 01

In the dusty plains of La Mancha, a retired gentleman named Alonso Quixano becomes convinced that the chivalric romances he has devoured are a call to action. He dons an old suit of armor, adopts the name Don Quixote, and declares himself a wandering knight‑errant, determined to revive the vanished ideals of courage and courtesy. With a crooked lance and a stubborn horse named Rocinante, he sets out on a quest that blurs the line between lofty imagination and harsh reality.

Soon he encounters a humble farmer, Sancho Panza, who agrees to serve as his squire in exchange for promises of island riches. The pair embark on a series of comic misadventures—windmills become fearsome giants, inns turn into enchanted castles, and simple travelers are mistaken for nobles and villains. Through these encounters, the novel gently satirizes the clash between idealism and pragmatism while celebrating the enduring human desire to dream beyond one’s circumstances.