King

WAYNE’S WORDS
Volume 3 Number 25
King

For you.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom, in a faraway land…

A king without heir was lying on his deathbed. He knew that soon he would pass and his beloved kingdom would fall to his evil enemies.

He ordered the royal couriers, by the thousands, to go to the farthest reaches of his rule to deliver a simple message. In a fortnight, all the best men of the kingdom should report to the royal palace for an audience with the king.

The subjects under this particular king's rule were very loyal. He was a great king and true to his people. Were he not born to his throne he surely would have elected. He was loved.

On the day requested, thousands of men from the kingdom reported as requested. The king, as sick as he was, interviewed each of the men individually at his bedside while each was pampered as if he were already king. During each interview the subjects were given the best food, drink, song, massage, shave and other luxuries afforded a king.

After all of the interviews were over the king told these men, via messenger, to wait outside the palace gates while he made his decision. He met with his advisor who happened to also be his royal wizard. Then he was given a potion and the king slept for a month.

When he awoke he was brought to the veranda to address these fine men. He spoke...

"While each of you possess certain qualities of a king - some of you with more, some of you with less, I am sorry to say that none of you can be my successor"

"A true king would never think he was the best man and, therefore, would not have come. For a king must be humble and know he is only as great as his subjects."

"You may think I would now choose a man who did not come. But, alas, I cannot. For a king also must not be so intimidated as to not stand up."

"So who should be king? Well, unknown to you all - as you were being pampered so was every man who stayed behind. I then gave the trimmings and clippings from each man to the royal wizard and for the past month he has worked his magic to bestow upon you your new king."

An ordinary looking man stepped out onto the veranda to join his highness. He was normal in every way and he bowed to the king and even to the men before him.

The king continued, "This man is your new king. He is the best man to sit in the throne because he is indeed all of the best qualities of each man in the kingdom and because he comes from each one of you he is indeed only as great as his subjects."

Having said his peace, the king slumped and with his last ounce of strength he handed his royal scepter to his successor. Then he exhaled, one last time, and he passed.

The crowd gasped.

And the new king wept.

The End.

I have, in my life, learned from every great person I have met. I have even learned from the not so great people I have met. I have tried to take the knowledge – the “trimmings and clippings” – and make myself a better man.

Every day, though it doesn’t always feel like it, is better for me and for the man I am to become. Sometimes I slip and take a fall. However, one of the most important things I have learned from the people I have known is to get back up and continue my journey.

Until Next Time,

Wayne

PS I haven’t heard anything on that stupid song. I guess, like a lot of things, I am just going to let it go.