Trust isn't always the best choice

            In this second unit in Stories, we learned about what makes a good character, fables, symbolism, and lessons they encounter in writing. We read a lot of fables in this unit and looked into how each of them can teach a lesson and/or convey a moral. The fables that we read were simple but they were able to convey a lesson that you can use in different stages of your life. Stories also rely on symbolism, these stories must be able to teach kids/adults alike a lesson that they can take and use in the real world. It also allows a simple story to give a huge impact while also keeping them entertained. 

Trust isn't always the best:

Standing over a gilded marble tomb, looking down at the reflection pool atop it, the new King sheds one tear. Promising to his late mother, Queen Tiniya II, that he would fulfill his promise to her as well as the kingdom he has inherited. “I pledge, the remainder of my life, whether my reign be long or short, to the service and devotion to this great nation. To modernize this monarchy, I am the people’s King, and to you, my wonderful mother, thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’” 

The Queen had raised a son, in her likeness. He was the kindest soul in the world, standing tall with his long gray tail. Being born into a life of pedigree, bearing the name of his forefathers Brandan Alexandra Mary Mountbatten Winsor VI. Brandan always promised that one day, he would reform the monarchy saying that “If I am to live a life of luxury, the people of these great nations should too.” As the King prepared his things, he began to wonder “How do I make good on this promise? I can’t do this alone”, he thought, taking two steps back away from his mother’s grave as the winds from the north blew the cherry blossoms from atop the tree. He pulled his phone out searching for a number, not sure who it would be. He came across a number he hadn’t seen in quite some time, he texted the number to figure out if it was who he assumed it was. 

            “Hello? I found your number in my cellphone, is this the person I think this is?” “Bing Bing Bing* 

            “Hello your majesty, yes this is George. I figured you would never speak to me again.” 

            “Stop George, I understand you made a mistake but I need your help.” 

            “What is it? What do you need exactly” 

            Brandan stopped and paused for a moment wondering “After all he has done, do I really trust him? He has lied, cheated, and thrown my name in the mud… alas I still need the help of someone who works in this field, the King wondering no one has better experience in finances than George.”

Walking into the palace, with servants, butlers, and guards bowing their heads out of respect, a “bing” goes off again “Your majesty?” George says plainly. The King lays out a plan to divide the money his mother left for him, among the entirety of the nation. Shortly after, the King sits down with his privy council and George to commence the oath, giving George complete and total control over the money and how it will be distributed. 

The King says “I, Brandan the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of the Faith, do faithfully promise and swear that the money bestowed upon George, Earl of Foxford will be rightfully distributed throughout the nations of the commonwealth, Great Britan and Northern Ireland.”  

With those words, George now controlled almost 50% of the monarchy’s wealth. In his first act as the King's financial advisor, he took the money and spent it on a brand-new yacht. Sparing no expense boasting “This is my money, the King does not care after-all he gave it to me.” With the King going on a much-needed holiday since the death of his mother he decide to drop off the grid for 3 days until he returned. George had created nothing but mayhem while the King was away spending money left and right on unnecessary things, such as luxury cars, boats, lavish dinners, all that you could imagine. 

As the King made his way home, the phone on the Royal Train, Diamond began to ring. The brightly colored red phone only rang when there was a true emergency. Looking at the phone puzzled Brandan picked up the phone and said

 “This is HRH-” 

“Sir where are you? Have you seen the tabloids?” The King still confused

 “I have not, what is going on?” 

“Sir, the Earl has spent nearly all of the money he was allotted on himself.”

 “HE DID WHAT?” the King now furious, was now contemplating how will the public take this. What will I say? What will I do? Arriving at Paddington Station, Platform 4 the train station was more silent than usual, as the King stepped out of the royal coach, a loud roar erupted from the crowds staring at the King.

 “DEATH TO THE KING” 

“THAT’S NOT MY KING” 

“WHAT HAS HE DONE”

"HE'S A FOX OF COURSE HE WOULD LET THIS HAPPEN."

"HIS SPECIES CAN NOT BE TRUSTED."

 The royal limousine takes the King to the palace where George awaits him. The King steps forward, towards two golden doors with two Royal Grendere guards standing at attention.

The king shouted at everyone in the great hall, “Leave us! Now!.” With great haste, the hall was cleared. Brandan stared blankly at George, with a feeling of anger, humility, and sadness coming over him. The King demanded that George return everything. The King was no longer himself, he was no longer the people’s man. George’s betrayal hit the King deep in his heart. George had changed the King forever. He became bitter, his heart had shrunk 3 sizes too small, he became the one thing he dreaded becoming... greedy, he even lost his ability to trust others. He lost his goodwill to want to share his wealth. The King imposed new taxes, saying that it was for the greater good of the foxes, hoarding the money for himself, and in the end, the King they once knew was gone.

The end.

Trust your intuition, and be careful who you trust. 

In conclusion, anthropomorphism played a huge role in my fable because it's another way to keep the reader engaged. Brandan & George can speak which gives them human-like traits, Brandan also being the king, gives him a human-like trait of Nobility and fearlessness and both of these characters have emotions they feel throughout the story. 

This allows the reader to relate more to the characters even though they aren't human. In my fable there was also a lot of symbolism, Brandan was also one of my symbols because when you see foxes they are normally frowned upon or looked at as these evil creatures, but the king truly had a king's heart despite his species. I believe the lesson of figuring out who you put your trust in is important because it can save you in many situations. Learning to trust your own instinct allows you to make more connections with people and not to second guess yourself, it allows you to trust yourself without feeling like you have to trust everyone, but this only happens if you listen to your inner self.