Elias and the King's Puppet
Once upon a time, there was an ample and placid kingdom by the name of Achernar. The kingdom was ruled by a most wise and generous king, known as King Rupert III. He was beloved by all his subjects for his justice and benevolence. Nestled among green mountains and silvery waters, Achernar was the apotheosis of serenity and prosperity.
In a far-off corner of the kingdom, there lived a humble puppeteer named Elias. He lived in a small cottage, surviving on the meager earnings he made from his puppet shows that he performed in the town square. His puppets were his family, his companions. They were all he had in the world. Elias was known for giving each of his puppets a unique voice and personality, bringing them to life during his performances. However, his favorite puppet was a rosy-cheeked marionette named Timothy, whose courage and zest even in his puppet state entranced the townsfolk.
One day, a royal edict was announced. To celebrate the king's 40th birthday, a grand feast was to be hosted at the palace. Every subject from Achernar was invited to showcase their talents and the best performer would receive a special reward from the King himself.
Elias was overjoyed. This was his golden opportunity to captivate a wider audience with his talent. He worked tirelessly to perfect his act. With Timothy as the hero, he weaved a tale of bravery and wit that he was certain would impress the King and the court.
The day of the feast arrived. Elias, albeit nervous, performed a tumultuous act, with Timothy at the helm of it. The crowd roared in laughter, gasped at moments of suspense, and cheered at Timothy's victory. Elias was elated by the reaction from the royal audience. His humble dream had realized; he was the talk of the court.
As the applause died down, a grave silence swept across the royal court. King Rupert rose from his throne and commanded attention. His face wore an expression of sheer awe. He acknowledged Elias's talent and extraordinary act. The king was especially amazed at the way Elias had breathed life into Timothy. The marionette's courage and wit had won King Rupert's respect.
As a reward, the King presented Elias with an ornate chest filled with gold and jewels. But the King did not stop there. He asked Elias a peculiar request, the idea of which had intrigued him since Elias's performance. The king proposed that he wanted Elias to create a puppet in his image that would accompany him in royal courts, echoing his wisdom and charisma. Flabbergasted by the honor, Elias agreed.
Peace and joy reigned in Achernar. Elias continued to live his humble life, using the gifted wealth for the betterment of his townsfolk. Meanwhile, King Rupert, with his puppet, became a symbol of magnanimity, engaging more with his subjects. His puppet double turned out to be not a mere echo but a reflection of the King's benign rule.
So as we draw the curtain on this tale, a few things we understand. Courage and wisdom can resonate, whether from the humblest home or the highest throne. For puppeteer Elias and King Rupert, that was both their command and their joy.