Grimm Tales

The King and the Four Children

Once upon a time, in a Kingdom far away. There was a great King, who was loved by his people.

When monsters attacked bravely defended the innocent.

But he also fed and clothed the poor.

Everyday he led prayer services, in the temple.

Then he held a court open to all his people, regardless of their race, creed or social class.

The kingdom was safe and prosperous and the people were happy. The King could not ask for more, because as the King it was his duty to protect and serve the people.

Unfortunately, others were not so happy, in distant lands darkness and wickedness was spreading. Destroying whole nations, and driving countless people from their homes.

Many of these poor people fled to the Kingdom for protection. The King was more than willing to shelter the refugees, but the more people he needed to protect, the more he had to do. And he was growing older.

Despite his old and tiring body, his spirit was more than willing to help and his pride as a King drove him to keep going. Even when his family, friends and advisors told him, he was doing to much and begged him to rest.

The King would always say, "I am the King, the one charged with protecting the kingdom. If I will not protect this kingdom then who will?"

So, the King carried on, in spite of the increasing work, and growing slower with age.

That was until one day a messenger arrived informing the King that 'a horde of Monsters was attacking people along the boarder.'

Without a moments hesitation the Kings took up his sword and armor, raced to the boarder to defend his people. In his youth he would have made it to the battle in half the time, so he feared that it may already be to late.

Instead, when he arrived at the battle, he found the people defended by a single young man. At his feat were scores of slain monsters and he was locked in an epic duel with the last. The King could do nothing but watch as the young man slew the last monster.

When the battle was done the young man saw the King and bowed before him. Recovering from his shock the King asked, "Young man who are you? And why would you risk your life to defend these people?"

Looking up at the King the young man answered, "Your majesty, my name is Marshal, a mere warrior. When I was a child, my family was attacked by Monsters. It was you who saved our lives."

"On that day I swore that I would become a great warrior like you and protect the innocent. Like how you saved us."

The old King was shocked by the young man's answer. As King he was the protector of the realm, that is the way it has always been. So why would an innocent choose to risk his life?

But before he could ask a messenger arrived to inform the King that 'a new group of refugees has arrived in the Kingdom. Some badly need help.'

Without a moments hesitation the King took off to help the refugees. While running he thought about the young Marshal, about why he would want to be warrior like him. He even considered if he should have asked for the young man's assistance.

But he dismissed the thought, he might have been able to defeat the monsters but he had no food or coins to offer the refugees.

When he found the large group of refugees, he feared the worse. That was until he drew closer and saw that someone had treated their wounds, fed them and had found them places to rest. The old King continued to wonder through the crowd looking for anyone that needed his help.