Thursday, 23 May 2019

The Parable of the Looking Glass

In a great but empty kingdom there was a king. All day and every day he would stare into into his looking glass, muttering to himself “I'm handsome, I'm so handsome!” One particular day, one of his servants entered the throne room. The king, busy telling himself how handsome he thought he was, didn't notice the servant until he spoke “Your highness, your wife has fallen fatally ill. There might not be much time left, do you wish to visit her?”
“Shoo, can't you see I'm busy?”
“Uh, yes your highness but your wife…”
“Do you wish to be beheaded?”
“Uh, no,”
“Then begone.” The servant scuffled away. “Wow, you're handsome and tough,” he smiled at his reflection. 

“Your highness,”
“What do you want now?!”
“Um, your wife, she's gone.”
“Okay whatever go away, I'm busy,”
The very shocked servant edged away from his monstrous king. 
A year passed by.
“Hmm I am so handsome,” the king thought out loud to himself, “ I wish others could see my handsomeness. Everyone would be so jealous! Ooh! I have an idea, I'll have a ball! My lovely wife and I can sit atop our golden thrones, my handsome face for all to see!” The King called for his servant, and he came running in so fast he almost tripped over.
“Do be less clumsy would you?”
“Uh, yes you highness,” His servant said, taking an awkward bow.
“Go get my wife. I wish to have a ball!” The king said with a delightful clap of his ring-masked hands.
“Uh, your wife is gone,” The servant replied with a gulp.
“Excuse me?”
“Your wife passed on a year ago,”
“What!? Why didn't you tell me!?”
“Uh, I did your highness,”
“Nonsense, as if I wouldn't remember something like that!”
“Uh, I am sorry. Maybe you.. uh..didn't hear me?”
“Hmph,”
“We can still have a ball if you want. In honour of deceased royalty. I am sure the Queen would like that,”

“You..You just go. I..I'll think about it.” The servant bowed and left. The king looked back at his looking glass, and somehow he didn't look or feel as handsome any more. His forehead wrinkled with sorrow, he tried pushing the wrinkles away, but it was no use. There were 
shallow darkly coloured pockets under his eyes. His sand coloured hair stuck out awkwardly making him look like lion. However he was not a strong brave king of the jungle, but a weakened and cornered lion that had been battered badly. His eyes were bloodshot and watery from his tears of woe and hate. He was ugly, his face a reflection of all his heart was.

Copyright © 2019 The Parable of the Looking Glass - Jasmine’s Not-so-secret Journal

No comments:

Post a Comment