Just another fairy tale (3/14)
SECOND STROKE
- Narrator: The King was desperate. He didn't know what to do anymore. His only son, Prince Nino, was always known as an irredeemable prankster. Usually, the preys of his innocent pranks (and not so innocent, he must concede) were limited to his own father (there wasn't too much respect for the Crown in the Prince's heart) and the servants who worked in his son's wing of the castle. In fact, to work in the Prince's wing of the castle was contemplated as the usual punishment to straight on lazy maids or careless servants. It was like this for a long time... but in the last year the Prince, afflicted by something that can only be described as chronic boredom, decided to expand his range of action to the whole castle... One thing could be said: he didn't discriminate between social rank, sex or religion when he chose the next victim... The King had yet to decide if this was a good or a bad sign. In any case, the castle's inhabitants couldn't stand it anymore. They were on the verge of rebellion. It was imperative to find something that diverted the Prince's interest from his usual pranks to other matters less aggravating for his people.
~
The curtain opens. The King is walking up and down in the throne's room talking to himself.
- King: What could I do?... Assign him a tutor to prepare him to be a good king?... No, the poor man would be the inevitable target of his pranks and would end fleeing or becoming crazy... May I send him to study abroad, perhaps?... No, no... He would find the way back for sure, and then all of us would suffer his wrath... Besides we can be grateful if he doesn't start a war with the foster country... Hum... Should I find him a bride?... No, absolutely not! He would get really, really angry and then, the target of his pranks would be ME... and I am to young to be driven nuts... the Kingdom still needs me... So... What can I do?...
- Narrator: Fortunately the King, being the intelligent man he was and after pondering the question for hours, got what seemed to be the best solution.
The King stops in the middle of the room and hit his left palm with his right fist.
- King: I got it! I must interest him in another "hobby" more fascinating than making pranks to his people, right? The best way to show him a wide range of attractive activities is doing a Talent Show!... Yes, it's a wonderful idea! I'll invite the Kingdom’s people who have some kind of talent to do a demonstration in the castle. The Prince will choose the performance that interest or amuse him the most... and the winner will gain prize money!
The King smiles pleased with himself and goes toward the right side of the scenery but, when he is about to leave, he suddenly stops as if something of great importance has suddenly occurred to him.
- King: And later we'll celebrate a ball!... because a party in the castle isn't really a party without a dance.
The King left the stage humming a melody and dancing with an imaginary person. The curtain closes.
To the next chapter