WHATS
— GOING ON
HERE Mr
barniey @

he isy Kine LT Ty

Once upon a time in a large country
with two seas the king built a castle in the
fairest city of all. With his councillors he
located the city’s water supply and built his
castle on it, above the town. It was a stream
of sparkling water that had run as long as
anyone could remember. The townspeople
welcomed the king and he walked among
them in ordinary clothes - he wanted to be a
good king. He built buildings and paved
roads - he wanted to be a busy king.

The townspeople loved flowers and
took pride in their gardens; they worked
hard cultivating and watering, each having
their favourite blooms so when they shared
with their neighbours everyone had a beauti-
ful bouquet. The king didn’t have a garden;
he was very busy building buildings and
paving roads and he didn’t have time.

Soon after the king finished his
castle, some of the townspeople began to get
sick. Some died; at first they were old people

and everyone said we miss them very much
but they were old and would die anyway.
Then young people died and more got sick.
So some of the townspeople held a meeting to
be see what could be done about this grave
problem. One said it was the unusual
weather and another said it was the food.
Then some children who had crept in to see
what was going on said, we know why people
are getting sick. It’s the king, he pisses in
the drinking water.

The townspeople fell silent. When
they investigated the situation, there was the
king’s castle with the town’s water supply
running through it.

It’s not right, said a voice. But he’s
the king, said another. What are we going to
do, I feel very ill said yet another. We must
speak to the king and his councillors. Soa
letter was written saying it was not healthy
to piss in the drinking water and it was
making people sick.

The King replied, telling the people to
mind their own business; he was busy
building buildings and paving roads. The
councillors, who came from far away, said:
we have orders from the Grand Emperor to
see that the king builds buildings and paves
roads and none of us are sick.

The townspeople grieved - what are
we going to do?

We know said the children. Let’s
build a palace out of the stones from the
castle down here in the town. It can have a
garden and the king can put on his robes and
grow his favourite flowers.

. He won't do it said an old voice. He
likes his castle and he likes building and
paving. You don’t know a kings job. Yes we
do said the children, a king must act like a
king. He must visit us and declare holidays.

Don’t be foolish said the old voice.

But at least we wouldn’t get sick, said
the children. -
The Busy King

‘Once upon a time in a large country
with two seas the king built a castle in the
fairest city of all. With his councillors he
located the city’s water supply and built his
castle on it, above the town. It was a stream
of sparkling water that had run as long as
anyone could remember. The townspeople
welcomed the king and he walked among
them in ordinary clothes - he wanted to be a
good king. He built buildings and paved
roads - he wanted to be a busy king.

‘The townspeople loved flowers and
took pride in their gardens; they worked
hard cultivating and watering, each having
their favourite blooms so when they shared
with their neighbours everyone had a beauti-
fal bouquet. The king didn’t have a garden;
he was very busy building buildings and
paving roads and he didn’t have time.

Soon after the king finished his
castle, some of the townspeople began to get
sick. Some died; at first they were old people

and everyone said we miss them very much
but they were old and would die anyway.
‘Then young people died and more got sick.
So some of the townspeople held a meeting to
be see what could be done about this grave
problem. One said it was the unusual
weather and another said it was the food.
Then some children who had crept in to see
what was going on said, we know why people
are getting sick. It’s the king, he pisses in
the drinking water.

‘The townspeople fell silent. When
they investigated the situation, there was the
king’s castle with the town’s water supply
running through it.

Its not right, said a voice. But he’s
the king, said another. What are we going to
do, I feel very ill said yet another. We must
speak to the king and his councillors. So a
letter was written saying it was not healthy
to piss in the drinking water and it was
making people sick.

‘The King replied, telling the people to
mind their own business; he was busy
building buildings and paving roads. The
councillors, who came from far away, said:
we have orders from the Grand Emperor to
see that the king builds buildings and paves
roads and none of us are sick.

The townspeople grieved - what are
wwe going to do?

‘We know said the children. Let’s
build a palace out of the stones from the
castle down here in the town. It can have a
garden and the king can put on his robes and
grow his favourite flowers.

He won't do it said an old voice. He
likes his castle and he likes building and
paving. You don't know a kings job. Yes we
do said the children, a king must act like a
king. He must visit us and declare holidays.

Don't be foolish said the old voice.

But at least we wouldn't get sick, said
the children, ‘