The Appeaser.. Poem by R.H. Peppers

‘The daughter of a King asked her Father one day..’

..’Father..
Why is it we having so many in our Kingdom
That we all must write and speak the same language? ..

There are many having traveled from distant lands
That seem to be at a disadvantage
Bringing with them their own ways and customs
Is it fair that they must learn our ways
In order to share in the success of our Kingdom? ..’

The King being of a kind and just sort
Placed his daughter on his lap
And began to tell his sweet angel a story..

..’Dear daughter of mine..
Allow me to tell you the tale
Of a Kingdom divided between two brothers
Upon the day of their father’s.. a wise King’s death..

This Kingdom we speak was the most successful of its time
The elder son of whom being close to his father
Had Knowledge and Understanding of the Kingdom’s daily going-ons..
The younger of the brothers being a foregoer of near and distance lands
Indulged each culture he ventured learning many different laws and language..

The elder brother so loved the younger
Though the younger wanted little to do with he..
In a short time of the brothers splitting the land
Each ruling their Kingdoms in different manner
They became indeed two different Kings..

The elder continued the likes of his father
Permitting for education and business in his land only one language
Same in terms of labeling storefronts. conducting and contracting agreements
Given his subjects comprised of men and women from every walk of life under the sun
His army.. each in uniform fatigue. stern of look and cleanly shaven..

The younger brother was of another manner
He was an appeaser of his populous made up of different cultures
Many of whom being lesser in number than the subjects inherited from his father..
Allowing each their own language in education and business
Along with each who served in his army the comforts of their own culture’s customs
Some men fashioned long beards and other paint on their faces..’

The daughter of the King listening to the story admitted..
..’oh I like the younger King! ..
Such a King for the people unlike his older brother
Who seems very hard and unwilling to bend..’

Her father laughed a bit then continued..
..’hmmm.. I see.. but first my sweet.. allow me to finish the story..

As it pertained to both Kingdoms
Tax was that of ten percent of all money earned..
To pay for road building and for the armies to protect its borders and within
From looters and tyrants who can cause many great horrors..
For each Kingdom was rich with things many others wanted..

As time moved along the elder’s Kingdom grew and remained strong..
The younger’s began to strain being that his subjects could not get along..
With so many under his rule speaking different tongues
His Kingdom became more in the likes of many different clans
Each feeling no need to part ways with their original troubled lands..

The young King thought it wise to change laws. taxes and customs
Appointing this minister for this group and such a minister for that one..
In all of his good intentions he unwittingly created a breeding ground for corruption..

The fewer cried of inequality for in trade and commerce they could not compete
The larger in number complained of carrying the burden of heavier taxes
Being that the fewer were sucking the King’s treasury dry
…such as blood is consumed by a leach

As if things were not bad enough
Neighboring clans heard of the young King’s plight..
Each began plotting with the likes of its own within the young Kingdom walls
Hearing of such plots and plans the young King moved to action
While assembling his army.. generals and such..
He was found surprisingly dismayed..

..Each with beard stood with beard and those of painted faces did the same..

This order of things made the young King suspicious
For he knew not where each subjects loyalty lie..
At such a point he employed secret police
Including bearded and painted face spies..

He would pit one group against another..
While at the same time doing favors for each..
The young King in secret became the chief trouble maker
Yet when in public posed as the greatest of Appeasers

His ways became crocked and conniving..
Bringing his people much anguish and strife..
Each loved the King but did not trust one another
And this was the beginnings of what was soon to become civil war..

In due time the young King’s follies all came into account..
The day that clans of plenty stormed his Kingdom’s wall down..
With the help of more than half his army..

…and the young King was abruptly killed..’

The King’s daughter was saddened by the ending of the tale and asked..
…’What of the story of the other brother? ’

And the King answered..
…’Good question my love..

Deeply moved by the loss of his sibling
The Elder King collected his land’s army
Even acquiring the soldiers of his late father
Of whom were mistreated by his younger brother..

He knew if each were loyal by language and customs
Also questioning each on the history of his Kingdom..
Them that passed fell in line..
Those that could not were dismissed..
And as a thief does by night without warning
The elder King invaded and conquered the lands
Of the each and every clan guilty of his brother’s killing..

In short time the elder King’s Kingdom grew by three folds
Of them who follow his law prospered..
For every man and woman were considered equal in the eyes of the law
Allowing each to live on one accord..

The point of this tale my darling sweet daughter is that..
Speaking in many tongues is truly a blessing
But in the setting of a Kingdom stands as a means of division..
Now that wouldn’t be fair now would it? ..’

The King’s daughter sighted then graced her father with a smile..
…’I think I Understand now father…’

HAHAHAHAHAHA! ! !

Oh.. so adorable.. one must love the innocence of children..

TheJester