The King called for his three Archdukes ...Michigan W. Smith, Gabraham O. Baise, and Tanner U. Aule.

The King speaks:  Mich, Gabe, and Tan ...the reason I've called for you three, my archdukes, is for your reports on this month's activities.

Gabe:  Well, things have been going so smoothly, I have no real new activity to report.  The children have been laughing, singing, and playing happily.  There is nothing that I know of that exceeds that joy.

Mich: I agree that things have been rather peaceful. The symphony of such joy and how well they get along is also music to my ears. And I agree that since the trumpet was added, there has been no additional call for violins.  I am very pleased with everyone's concerted efforts.

Tan:  I am happy that such joy flows through the kingdom, but I am surprised that the others have not noticed the very subtle activity that has gone either unnoticed, or which has not arrested our usual complacency and peaked our interest.

The King:  Get to the point, Tan ...please speak to us of your concern.

Tan:  Well, even now as we speak in this anteroom...there is a child moving about your throne.  I noticed him as I passed by on my way to our meeting.

The King (to Tan's dismay, does not seem alarmed): Well, let's have a look-see ...it's just next door, and there is a window at the back of this room.

Tan (standing behind the King and his fellow archdukes, but the first to speak): Look ...look, he's sitting on your throne!!

Gabe: Actually, I do not see him touching it ...but, that does seem to be an odd sort of crouched position he is taking.  I don't believe I've seen anything like that before.

Mich: It's difficult to say whether he is preparing to sit down, or if he was sitting down and now preparing to stand.  But, that is odd ...as he is so slow, it is difficult to tell which he is planning to do.  Perhaps he is a cripple, and can't assume any other position.

Tan (appears a bit agitated): He's no cripple ...he was skipping in the hallway just before I saw him enter the room.  And though I agree that he has not appeared to be sitting since we've been observing, I do believe with that awkward stance that he is passing gas on your throne!!

The King enters his throne room, and the archdukes assume their duties by grabbing the boy ...in preparation to escort him wherever the King wants him escorted to.

The King (smiling): No need for that ...you can let him go.  I don't believe the boy will run off to anywhere.  I'd like to have a few private words with the boy, so I will not need the services of you three at this time.  

The Child quivers as the three archdukes leave the throne room. 

The King:  Child, what is it that you were doing?

The Child (stuttering):  I did not touch your throne ...no, I would never touch your throne.

The King:  No need to get all shook up ...really, I believe you. But, what was that awkward stance you were in ...can you explain that to me?

The Child:  Oh, that ...

The King:  Yes, oh, that ...

The Child:  Well, I was pretending that you were sitting on the throne ...and that I was sitting on your lap.  I don't know of anyone quite like you.  Besides being King ...well, I think you are the best person I have ever known.

The King:  What about your own Dad?

The Child:  Oh, he was the most wonderful person I ever knew ...but, he said you were the most wonderful person he ever knew.  And he must have meant it ...he died defending your castle.

The King is affected much by what this one child has said. Many other children had lost their Dads ...a higher price there is not, giving your life for another. Many had died in defending his castle. And though not all may feel the same way as this child he had just talked to ...nonetheless, some may.

The King feels it is not wise to invite everyone into his throne room ...nor would it be to have them sit on his lap.

But, they could sit on a wagon with him ...hitched to his royal team of horses.

The King smiles, as he thinks of the potential here. He calls his archdukes for a special meeting to discuss his plan.

The King (expressing his imaginative idea): I will sit on a throne of bales of straw at the front of the wagon, facing backwards toward the children. And the children will sit on bales throughout the wagon, facing me ...with also a view of those who will stand outside their homes, waving to the children as my royal horses trot through the village surrounding my castle.

Gabe: Statistically speaking, according to the last census, it would take at least a dozen trips throughout the village to accommodate all the children.

Mich (appearing eager to share his idea): That would be a long wait. How about we combine it with a festival? Those who are waiting their turn, could eat at a huge outdoor banquet table and play games in the field while they are waiting.

The King (looking to Tan, who appears a bit disinterested): Do you have any ideas?

Tan: I think that about covers it for the most part. I will talk with the builders to have them construct an enormous banquet table, and a wagon of the largest possible functional size.

The King: You can cut down some cedars in the swamp. The cedars grow back quickly, and there's adequate lumber for both a banquet table and a wagon. You can leave the branches there for the deer to eat. It will benefit the deer, and us all ...as winter is soon upon us. We have plenty of time to carry out our plan for a beginning of spring festival.

(The winter is a long, cold harsh one ...with lots of snow. But, the promise of spring is now soon upon them, and the King decides to take advantage of a sunny day by taking a long walk to see how the builders are doing. The King finds the building boarded up and vacant ...and no activity can be heard in the swamp. He only hears the sound of footsteps behind him. He does not hesitate to turn around. It is Tan.)

The King: Where are the builders ...and what has happened here??

Tan: Not to worry, the banquet table and your wagon are finished.

The King: But, where are they??

Tan is hesitant, and says nothing at this time.

The King follows the side glance of Tan, looking towards the hills. There are several hills, but in the midst of them all is a towering rock outcrop. It appears nearer than it is, but if one attempts to hike to the top, it is a rather long and tiring journey.

The King (glances about, then focuses his stare on the towering rock outcrop): It appears like there is a large structure at the top, near the rock outcrop. Do you see that?

Tan (smiling): Yes, that is the new workshop for the builders. I convinced them that it would be best to be near the greatest oaks. Oak is a much better building material ...it is much stronger than cedar.

The King: I thought I asked you to use cedar??

Tan: You said I could, not that I had to. And Jack agreed with me. He prefers oak lumber.

The King: Who is Jack?

Tan: He is the main cutter. He has cut down an ample supply of oak. We probably have enough now to last us for years to come. I believe in planning ahead.

The King (sighing): Just as long as the banquet table and wagon are delivered to my castle in two weeks. Everyone seems to be looking forward to the festival ...and I doubt anyone is as eager as me to see the smiling faces and cheerful laughter.