The King and The Dunce

The King one day decided to see
just how bad a peasant's life could be.
He left the castle late at night,
seeing his way by the moonlight.
Dressed in rags he went to town,
almost forgetting to lose his crown.
Near to the castle he did not stay,
He chose a town far way.
Arrived there he did on the 7th day,
he needed food right away.
So he tried to get some work.
Since he could read, he became town clerk.
On his salary to afford a house he wasn't able,
he was forced to live in a stable.
In this stable he wasn't alone;
Another man also called it home.
"John's my name," announced the King at once.
"I'm Bill," the other said "town Dunce.
 In the stable I am forced to live now
 I will tell you the story of how
 I came to live this way,
 Then we'll see what you have to say."
The Dunce told his story of woe,
About which all the King could say was "Whoa!"
"That's not fair," the King said then
"To be so treated by other men."
So the King and the Dunce lived this way,
Each one sleeping on some hay.
But the King got bored real fast;
As a peasant he could not last.
So one day he said to the Dunce:
"I am leaving at once.
 Come with me you may
 I promise you'll never sleep on hay
 For I am King of this land, not a slob.
 I can guarantee you a job
 and a place to stay,
 but we must leave right away."
Who could refuse such an offer as that?
The Dunce agreed, and put on his hat.
They travelled for a week and then
The King became ruler again.
The Dunce changed his name to Lester;
He became a good Court Jester.
The King learned from his trip.
No longer did he try to strip
All peasants through taxes,
And many less heads met axes.
This King was the most popular of all,
He who had slept in a donkey's stall.
So this shows that even kings can learn
As the result of a short sojourn.
And even a dunce can be a goody,
If given a chance, as everyone should be.

-Written in late 1995

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