Once upon a time, there was a kingdom among kingdoms that was ruled by a wise and benevolent Prince. The citizens of the kingdom worked hard, loving their industry and appreciating the higher purpose in their toils. Their days were filled with effort and laughter. They called many they worked among, “Friend”, and often raised a tankard in fellowship at the end of the day or when they traveled together on behalf of the kingdom. In return for their loyalty, the Prince and his father the King provided for their people well – with fair wages, medical care, and the opportunity to celebrate holidays and victories together. All the family members of the kingdom were welcome, everyone wore their finest clothing, and gifts were plentiful. The kingdom expanded and thrived.
Then dark days descended and the kingdom faced a terrible time of uncertainty. The aging Prince and the old King knew they could not protect the kingdom and its people forever from changing times. They were swayed by the Counters of the Beans and those who had invested in the realm and were envious of the richness achieved by other kingdoms.
A group of powerful Knights from the East banded together and conspired with the Counters of the Beans to convince the Royals to abdicate the kingdom to their care. They brought riches from past plunders, and sang soulful, sentimental songs honoring the past, accompanied by lyres. The Knights spoke beguilingly of their interest in the kingdom, its castles and history, and the people. They made many promises. The Prince and the King were convinced they had found the best answer for the future security of all they had built. Silver and gold changed hands and the deed was done. The Prince and the King retired into the sunset.
The loyal people of the kingdom were stunned. They had loved their rulers, and what they knew of the practices of the Counters and the Knight’s past deeds provided little comfort. Soon their fears began to be realized as a plague of misfortune descended. Many loyal subjects were banished from the kingdom, never to return. Others were made to work longer hours without the benefit of gratitude or reward. In their panic, some turned on each other to protect themselves. Those who bowed to the Knights (known in truth to be nothing more than cunning commoners), were rewarded with plum assignments that made them petty Lords over people with whom they used to happily share fate. An Earl and his associates were exposed as dastardly liars and cheats, disgracing the kingdom. People were disgruntled, but remained grimly silent, afraid of being banished themselves; left without a way to care for their families. Some boldly escaped with their modest bags of silver, to start new lives far away from the ruin of their old happiness. They were the lucky ones.
The seat of the once happy and beloved kingdom has since been moved to a land far away. New citizens have been recruited to replace those callously left behind. The proud flourish of the royal seal has been replaced with a paler symbol reflecting a curt nod to the past. The Counters of the Beans have a stranglehold on the purse strings, and no longer allow the people leeway to enjoy the sweet fruits of their labors. The Knights speak oh so cleverly – but the people now understand the truth comes from deeds more than words.
There is no moral to this fable…the end is yet to be. Will the Counters of the Beans and the Knights from the East realize that the secret to prosperity for all is in the hands of the people? Their loyalty cannot be re-won without care and consideration, and actions that build trust. Knights – you may never be Kings; but we hope you can be more than cunning commoners, for sake of the future of the kingdom and its people.
Disclaimer: This fable is an original work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.
A group of powerful Knights from the East banded together and conspired with the Counters of the Beans to convince the Royals to abdicate the kingdom to their care. They brought riches from past plunders, and sang soulful, sentimental songs honoring the past, accompanied by lyres. The Knights spoke beguilingly of their interest in the kingdom, its castles and history, and the people. They made many promises. The Prince and the King were convinced they had found the best answer for the future security of all they had built. Silver and gold changed hands and the deed was done. The Prince and the King retired into the sunset.
The loyal people of the kingdom were stunned. They had loved their rulers, and what they knew of the practices of the Counters and the Knight’s past deeds provided little comfort. Soon their fears began to be realized as a plague of misfortune descended. Many loyal subjects were banished from the kingdom, never to return. Others were made to work longer hours without the benefit of gratitude or reward. In their panic, some turned on each other to protect themselves. Those who bowed to the Knights (known in truth to be nothing more than cunning commoners), were rewarded with plum assignments that made them petty Lords over people with whom they used to happily share fate. An Earl and his associates were exposed as dastardly liars and cheats, disgracing the kingdom. People were disgruntled, but remained grimly silent, afraid of being banished themselves; left without a way to care for their families. Some boldly escaped with their modest bags of silver, to start new lives far away from the ruin of their old happiness. They were the lucky ones.
The seat of the once happy and beloved kingdom has since been moved to a land far away. New citizens have been recruited to replace those callously left behind. The proud flourish of the royal seal has been replaced with a paler symbol reflecting a curt nod to the past. The Counters of the Beans have a stranglehold on the purse strings, and no longer allow the people leeway to enjoy the sweet fruits of their labors. The Knights speak oh so cleverly – but the people now understand the truth comes from deeds more than words.
There is no moral to this fable…the end is yet to be. Will the Counters of the Beans and the Knights from the East realize that the secret to prosperity for all is in the hands of the people? Their loyalty cannot be re-won without care and consideration, and actions that build trust. Knights – you may never be Kings; but we hope you can be more than cunning commoners, for sake of the future of the kingdom and its people.
Disclaimer: This fable is an original work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.
Those of us who left the kingdom are saddened to see our former brethren struggle with the extra burdens of labor and little reward. We especially fear for those who were carted away from their humble domains with promises of greener pastures in the far away land.
ReplyDeleteThis is merely a shell game with vain attempts to find the bean. Unfortunately, through the magic of the Bean Counters and the Court Jesters, the bean keeps moving. Only when the Shining Knights of the Round Table exercise their power of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity will the magic of the Black Knights be revealed as nothing more than an illusion and that all of the silver and gold is gone.