In a time long forgotten and a land far away lived a King. He was a gentle but lonely man who spent all his waking moments working diligently for the people under his charge. One spring day after a particularly difficult session with his council the King found himself wandering through the gardens. He wanted to clear his head and escape the pressures of his position and he strolled about aimlessly, lost in his thoughts, wishing he was elsewhere. He stared at the barren landscape of the courtyard when his attention was drawn to a fluttering near some bushes. At first alarmed, he approached cautiously, but once close discovered a baby dove. The king looked for signs of its parents but none could be found and the little fellow was too young to be left on its own. Being a kind and caring man he took it into his hands and cradled it, offering warmth and comfort. He brought the dove inside and immediately took charge of its care. He felt compassion for this fragile bird and it helped him forget his longings to be free of all the responsibility associated with his duties. The king immediately had the master craftsmen build a massive bird house so all birds could have a place to perch, food to consume and water to drink. A special house was built for his new found friend and he took pleasure in the company of the dove. The king found himself spending more and more time with the dove, he fed it by hand and cuddled it to soothe his own pain. Before long, others noticed his fascination and his absence at functions and his lack of attending to his duties. It became so bad that if anyone even mentioned his diversion he would withdraw even more. The days of summer approached and were pleasantly spent, the dove ever so devoted to him and he to the dove. One day while walking through the garden, the king was startled by a shadow that swooped over him, and the dove which was always perched on his shoulder took flight. The King, scared not only for his own safety but the apparent fight of his friend was startled by an unfamiliar voice, "worry not", came the words from behind him. He swung around with hand on sword, ready to be drawn if needed. On a near by fence sat a giant white owl, the kinds of which the King had never seen before. "He will return", the owl said. " Who, or should I say, what are you, I have never seen the likes of you before and you trick my mind with speech", the king retorted. "I am here and you hear my words, is that not enough for your senses", the owl returned. Stunned, the King paused, viewed the great white bird for a moment and approached. "What is it that you will have of me, beast or sorcerer, whichever you may be", the King responded. " What I am is of little consequence, my presence here with you is paramount". " Listen to me and listen carefully, you do your feathered friend an injustice, mark my words, set him free while you can and with that the great while owl jumped into the air , caught an up draught and quickly disappeared from sight.
For a long while the king stood in total silence, pondering the vision and the words spoken by the owl. "How can my caring for the dove harm it, I truly love that bird and would defend it with my life",the king thought to himself. Just then his concentration was broken by the return of his beloved bird. The whole incidence was all but forgotten within a few days. The summer days passed peacefully and autumn was nearing and still the king spent all his time with the dove. One day an advisor requested an audience with him and the king obliged. "Sire" said the advisor, "your absence has resulted in our kingdom falling into ruin", if you do not act quickly, all will be lost, think of the people", he pleaded. Being the king and a caring man he saw that his folly had cost dearly to those that he loved so he spent less and less time with the dove in order to resolve the issues. Before long winter was at hand and he saw the dove but once a day. His efforts to restore order in his kingdom kept him occupied and by mid winter was totally absorbed with his duties again.
One day after a week of not seeing the dove , the king went looking for him and found him frozen and withered near his perch. The king was furious and demanded to know why his beloved dove was not fed and kept safe until he himself could attend to it. None could answer his plea and the king fell into despair. And so it lasted through the rest of winter and into spring. Once again in the garden the king was sitting quietly when a specter from the past again approached. "You did not heed my words I see", said the owl, now perched next to him. The king could only shake his head in sadness. "Why did this happen" , the king questioned,"there was food and shelter, why? ", the king sobbed. The owl ruffling its feathers turned his head and said softly," what did you expect, you fed it by hand and kept it warm with your own body heat". "Without you there, even though there was food and shelter, it would not eat, nor seek the comfort of its perch". "It died through your neglect and lack of attendance, just as your kingdom surely would have , had you not resumed your duties". With that the owl once again took flight, never to be seen again. There was small comfort in that knowledge and yet the king was grateful for the sacrifice, one that was brought about by his own disregard. The king lived many years thereafter but never forgot the lesson and the loss of that winter.
All of my stories and poems have a moral to them, however it would be presumptuous of me to assert my views on the matter....................so, here are a few choices, any one of which could be right in your view..... It's totally up to you.
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