Kleftis

Riches to Rags

"You have a prince!" Says the kings doctor, who just delivered the royal child.

"I've always wanted a son. To take my place as King some day." Declares the King

"Now you have him. Be sure to lead him as a King should." Instructs the Queen

"But wait," The doctor says in an anxious tone of voice "there's something wrong..... He's missing his left hand, it's just not there."

"What!?" The Queen shouts "The royal family does not need a defective, useless child! Get rid of it! Take it down to the river and drown him! Feed him to the lions! I don't care how you do it, just make sure no one knows that this deformed mutant was ever born to the Royal family!"

So that's just what the doctor did, he took the child down to the river, and threw him in. But nearby was a kind-hearted peasant who couldn't bare the thought of a defenseless babe floating in the water, waiting to die.

Then this loving woman jumped into the river and swam with all their might, and snatched up the child who was beginning to sink. Again, with all the strength in her body, and this time with an extra eight pounds, and one arm. But she made it, child in hand.

She took the babe home, wrapped it in the warmest blanket she had, and lay it on the bed.

"Now, what will your name be? Kleftis of course! As you made me a thief, by robbing the royal family of a child. And robbed you of death. But it was by the grace of God that I found you, not of random chance." Explained the old peasant woman "So, Kleftis, tell me your story. Why did the King and Queen kick you out of royalty?"

She began to examine Kleftis, and she noticed the missing hand. "So that's why. You're defective. But that's okay, I won't give up on you, I'll raise you as if you were my own. Love you, nurture you, care for you, discipline you, make sure you grow into a fine man. Lovely Kleftis, you are special to me."