The King And The Wizard
Expectations • A Wave Of Silence
Advice For Kids By Kids
Expectations
If you ever open a bottle of ranch dressing,
don’t expect cattle or cowboys to come out.
You’ll be sorely disappointed.
—Tobias Weise. Innsbruk, Austria
Other Stuff
A Wave Of Silence
When my wife and I were raising three daughters, silence was a rare commodity. But now they are all grown, moved out, and have children of their own.
When the last child moves out, a wave of silence washes over the house. Some parents hate it. Not me. I love the quiet. It doesn’t mean I love my children any less. I just appreciate the quiet now. The chaos of children is better suited to the young and energetic. I’m old. I need my quiet time!
My favorite time of day is lunch. The house is quiet. My wife is at work. I sit at my table and look out the window at the birds, who are having lunch at our bird feeder. I am no bird expert, but I enjoy the variety of beautiful birds that visit.
Then it’s off to work, teaching guitar. Silence is not an option.
I worked loading airplanes for 27 years, so I know about noisy environments, which is another reason why I appreciate a little silence.
But silence isn’t just relief from noise for me. Silence allows me to think. To be creative. I can’t write in a noisy environment. I need quiet. I don’t know how people write in cafés or coffee shops. And as much as I love music, I can’t write with it playing unless it is instrumental and soft. I guess I don’t have as advanced tuning-out skills as many writers.
Sometimes, if I allow myself to get really quiet, I can hear that still, small voice inside me.
Of course, there is never total silence at my house. If nothing man-made is creating a ruckus, then nature takes over. Especially birds. They sure enjoy their morning singing. And the squirrels love to dance on my roof. The wind and rain make their music, also.
The world is full of many different noises, some pleasant, some not. But I do enjoy occasionally surfing a wave of silence.
The King And The Wizard
Winston was a good King. He regularly rode throughout his Kingdom and talked to his subjects, genuinely listening to their concerns and taking action when needed. For this, he was well-loved by all.
On one of his journeys, Winston entered a small village and found a man tied to a stake. Winston asked the man what his crime was.
The scruffy captive replied, “My crime is magic. I am a wizard.”
Long before Winston was born, a trusted wizard had betrayed Winston’s father, King Reginald. The King declared magic illegal. Punishable by death.
“Truly?” Winston asked.
“Untie me and see.”
Winston laughed. “You are quite witty for a wizard facing a painful death.”
“I have lived four of your lifetimes. I am content with my fate.”
“But not eager, I suppose.”
“I would not say eager.”
“How is it you allowed yourself to be captured?”
“I am not a very good wizard.”
Winston laughed again.
“What is your name, wizard?”
“Lerge.
“I like you, Lerge. If you vow never to do magic in my Kingdom, I vow no harm will come to you, and you will be set free. Do you swear it?
“I swear it, my King. I shall never again do magic in your Kingdom.”
“Very well, you are free to go.”
The wizard was released.
Many years passed, and the neighboring Kingdom of Harshwill rose up to conquer Brillhaven. King Grimsly had hired hundreds of mercenaries from the far north to bolster his invading army. They marched for several days and surrounded King Winston’s castle.
Winston looked out on the invading numbers and said, “We are lost.”
He rode out to meet the King of Harshwill and said, “If you allow my subjects to live, I will surrender my kingdom to you.”
“They will live,” King Grimsly said. “Under my rule.”
Winston had little choice. King Grimsly was evil-hearted, but he knew Brillhaven would be pillaged and his subjects murdered if he disagreed. He also knew he would be forfeiting his own life in the bargain.”
“The Kingdom of Brillhaven is yours,” Winston said.
Instantly, all the citizens and warriors of Brillhaven became invisible. Once the shock wore off, Winston shouted, “Fight!”
Winston’s invisible army easily routed the invaders and showed no mercy.
After the battle, the residents of Brillhaven became visible again. As did Lerge, the wizard.
Lerge walked over to King Winston.
“Was this your doing?” Winston asked the wizard.
“It was, my King.”
“You vowed never to use magic in my Kingdom. You broke that vow.”
“I did not, Your Majesty. I waited until you surrendered the Kingdom. At that moment, it was no longer Brillhaven. It was Harshwill. I was free to perform magic again.”
Winston laughed. “Well done, Lerge.”
“Shall I retake the vow?”
“Never!” King Winston replied.
Happy Monday. Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
You can't ever trust those wizards- but better they work for you than against you.
I like Lerge's grasp of the finer points in a magical agreement. Very nicely done.