The King’s Wish

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1939, Page 2

The King’s Wish

(From “The Southlanders’ Chronicle,” sent in by Effiie Robertson, 11 Henry Street. Whangarei) It was at breakfast, and the king was eating his porridge, and the queen munching her toast when the king had his surprising idea. “I have been thinking that it would be> nice if I could learn to fly,” he remarked. “Gracious!” said the queen, biting over the butter. “I shall think it over,” said the king. “I know it can be done, and it would be very convenient.” As far as Queen Amalia was concerned, that ended the affair. But not with King Peramund! Immediately after breakfast he locked himself in his study, and an hour later emerged inky but triumphant with the following writ on a long piece of paper: King- Peramund to His Loyal Subjects Whereas we have decided that it would be to our advantage and the Edification of our Loyal Subjects that We should learn the difficult Art of Flying, We decree that if any Person or Persons shall possess the Power and shall inform us we shall give the said Person or Persons whatsoever they shall demand.

This he told the prime minister to paste to the front door of the palace. Soon the entrance bell rang loudly, and upon the gate being opened, a lady of peculiar appearance presented herself and said that she had come in answer to his majesty’s proclamation. She was gingerly conducted into the presence of King Peramund and entered the throne room just as his

majesty, who had risen but a moment before, was struggling with the top button of his waistcoat. Seeing her come in, he left it undone and carelessly placed one hand across it.

The unprepossessing lady bowed stiffly, and said in a voice like the breaking of dried branches. “I have come to teach you to fly.” The king jumped up, exclaiming, “Have you really?” Then'he sat down and said in a very dignified voice, “We are interested.” Then he jumped up again and cried, “Come, don’t lose a moment!” ‘

The lady pursed her lips and stared at him so long that he shuffled. At last she said, “You agree to pay me anything I ask?” “Anything, anything!” cried Peramund, dancing with excitement. But the lady still stared at him, and said slowly, “You have seriously considered what you are doing?” “Pooh!” cried the king, “there is nothing to consider. Come, begin at once!”

“Very well,”, said she, “I warned you. Remember that, when the worst happens.” “But what have you Warned me against?” asked the king uneasily. “That,” said the lady, “you will shortly discover. Are you ready?” “Er—yes,” said the king nervously. Then he threw his head back and said as a king should, “Yes!” At that, the witch waved her Stick over his head and uttered a long word which I had better not try to spell. “Now!” she said, “I shall ask for my reward. I demand that you give your eldest daughter to the dragon that lives in the bright blue hill!” , “But, good gracious!” cried the king, “I can’t possibly do that, because—” “Ah!” said the witch furiously. “So kings don’t keep bargains! Well, witches do, and I shall keep mine too well for your liking!”

With which she gave a shrill whistle, leaped on to her stick, and sailed out of the window. The king was rather startled, but concluded that this was the usual way for such persons to take their leave. Her last words disturbed him somewhat, but she had said he could fly, and that was the main thing. He climbed on to the throne, bent his knees, and jumped, directing himself towards a large tapestry at the other end of the room. To his delight he rose gracefully into the air, and found himself clinging to the top of the tapestry. Releasing his hold, he glided gently down, bounced off the floor, and glided gently up again. Then he pushed away from the wall, and sailed through an open window and out over the palace yard. When he looked down, he gasped and shut his eyes and flew hurriedly back to the window ledge. He stood there for a moment to recover, and then ventured forth on a short circular flight. When he had gathered sufficient courage, he rose above the roof-tops, his sword dangling behind him and his cloak billowing in the wind. He circled one or two chimney pots, to the annoyance of the pigeons, and then he flew off over the town. ,

Seme time later Queen Amalia was peacefully having her morning cup of chocolate in bed. The sun was streaming through the open window, and the pigeons were talking softly on the eaves. Suddenly a monstrous black shadow swooped across the window, and in flew King Peramund. The queen screamed and dived under the covers; but, on hearing his reassuring voice, she emerged, and gazed at him in speechless wonder. “Whatever shall I do?” wailed the king, flying in small circles above her bod. “What do you mean?” cried the queen, more amazed* than ever. “Don’t you see?” moaned his majesty. “I have started to fly, and I don’t know how to stop!” At this the queen burst into shrieks of laughter, which so upset the king, that he darted out of the window again and flew miserably round and round the highest tower of the palace. Here he was found some time later by the prime minister and the queen, who, by this time fully realised the seriousness of the situation. When he saw them he shouted, “What shall I do? Tell me something to do!” As he drew near, Queen Amalia cried. “Hold on to the weather vane!” So the king clutchpd .the large golden rooster as he flew by; tljere was a terrific crasn, and off he sailed, hugging it to his bosom. He dropped it into the moat, and flew back. “Whatever am I to do?” he moanfed. “I can’t fly round here forever!” “I daresay you could, your majesty,” said the prime minister. “It’s stopping you which is so difficult.”

After that the king flew round' in silence for a time. Then Queen Amalia like the thoughtful person she Was,, fetched him his coat and muffler and gaiters. It was really very funny to see him putting them on in the air, and when he had done so he looked like a huge bumblee-bee going round and round the tower. The queen then declared that she would have her bed moved up on to the parapet, and live there with her unhappy husband. But this the king nobly forbade her to do. On her alone rested the fate of the country, he said, and she must take his place. At this ,everyone wept. / (To be Continued on Thursday.)