THE KING'S COAT of ARMS
by Abbie Farwell Brown · from Kisington Town
Adapted Version
Harold had a big book. He read to the Red King. The King liked the story. It was about a garden.
"Where is this garden?" the King asked.
"It is near my town," said Harold. "Now it is a fish place."
"Maybe Lady Anyse is your family," said Harold. "She has red hair like you."
"I want to see her," said the King. "But I must have my argument."
"Please do not bother the fish place," said Harold. "It is a happy place."
The King thought. "I will not bother it," he said. "I must be kind."
Harold smiled. "There is a story about a lion picture," he said.
"A lion picture?" said the King. "I have a lion picture too!"
"It is a good story," said Harold. "I can read it."
"I am busy," said the King. "But stories are important."
"I will wait one day," said the King. "I must hear this story."
He told his men to be nice. They promised.
Harold went home. His friends were happy. They had a party.
"Your story helped," they said. "We wish we could read like you."
The next day, Harold came back. He had a new book.
The King smiled. He sat down to listen. Stories can help us be friends.
Original Story
IX. THE KING'S COAT OF ARMS
The Red King could not disguise his pleasure in the tale of the Wonder-Garden, though he grumbled when he found there was to be no fighting in it. When Harold had finished reading the story, Red Rex patted him on the head and said gruffly,--
"Good, my boy! You do, indeed, read a tale as well as one would wish. But tell me, now; in what part of Kisington is the place where this Gerda had her Wonder-Garden? Is it far from here?"
"Nay, not far from here," said Harold. "About a mile from our library, by the sea, stands the villa where Gerda and the Lord Mayor's son lived happily ever after. I could show Your Majesty the place, if you were not unfortunately at war with our city."
"I would fain see that place," said Red Rex thoughtfully. "I have a fancy that Gerda, indeed, came from my land. I have heard a legend that one of my great-great-grandfather's own sisters was stolen by the gypsies, and carried away to a far country. It might well be that she ran away from those gypsies, and escaped to this Kingdom, and that it was she whom the Lord Mayor found living lonely by the sea."
"It might well be so!" said Harold. "Oh, Your Majesty! How exciting! Then the Lady Anyse, who lives now at that villa, may be your own far-off cousin."
"She may be, indeed," mused the Red King. "What like is she, Harold?"
"She is tall, and handsome, and has red hair like Your Majesty," said Harold. "I have seen her often when I went to visit the Garden."
"The Garden?" exclaimed Red Rex. "Does the Wonder-Garden, then, still exist?"
"Not quite the same as in the day of Gerda and Cedric," answered Harold, "but yet a wonder-garden. It is called 'The Aquarium' now, and is one of the public gardens of Kisington, given to the town by the will of Cedric and Gerda. The Lady Anyse has it under her care."
"Verily, I should like to visit it and see both its wonders and my long-lost cousin," muttered the Red King.
"What a pity that you are making war upon our city!" exclaimed Harold. "There are so many fine things that cannot be while there is war."
"Yet war must be," answered Red Rex. "And I must be at it straightway." He rose and flourished his sword with a determined air.
"But at least you will spare the east of Kisington, where the Wonder-Garden lay, and not fire gums or arrows in that direction?" suggested Harold, pointing eastward. The Red King followed the direction of his finger.
"Yes, that I will promise," said Red Rex, after a moment's hesitation. "I promise that; lest otherwise I might injure my own blood royal. Because I am King I must not forget that!" He swelled his chest proudly.
"Noblesse oblige!" murmured Harold. "It was the motto of the Lion Passant."
"I know that motto well; and what of a lion passant?" inquired Red Rex. "A lion passant is one of the emblems in my own royal coat of arms!"
"Then, Your Majesty has not heard the tale of the Lion Passant?" asked Harold, feigning surprise. "It is one of the best known in our land. You will find your royal lion in the arms of our city of Derrydown; and there is a tale to account for that."
Harold began to smile as if the memory of the tale pleased him.
Red Rex frowned. "It is too late to hear that tale to-night," he murmured.
"Yes, Your Majesty," agreed Harold. "Besides, I cannot tell it by heart. I should have to get the book from our generous library. I can read it better; there is so much in the manner of the writing. It is a pity Your Majesty is in such a hurry to fight, or I might bring that book hither to-morrow and read you the pleasant tale."
The Red King fidgeted. "I am losing time at a terrible rate!" he growled. "Think of what harm I might be doing! When have I wasted hours like this, you wheedling boy?"
"I do not think these hours are wasted. It is war that wastes," said Harold.
"Fudge!" retorted Red Rex; "we must have war. Was that lion a red lion, Harold?"
"A red lion, Your Majesty," nodded Harold.
The Red King grew excited. "I must, then, hear about him!" he cried. "It is my duty.--What ho, there!" he shouted to his men who were making ready to continue the siege. "I have changed my mind. We will not fight for another day. Take this boy back to the city, and proclaim continued truce until he returns to us."
"Your Majesty is wise," said Harold with shining eyes. "I think you will not be sorry to hear the tale of the Lion Passant."
So the crisis was delayed for another day; and Kisington blessed Harold. They made a feast at the poor widow's cottage from presents sent by the Leading Citizens. Richard and Robert sat at the head of the table, one on each side of Harold, and all his other boy and girl friends sat down the sides of the table, and he told them all about his adventure with the besieging King. One and all begged him to let them go with him on the following day. But this, of course, Harold could not promise. He was the only one who could read well enough to charm the War-Lord. They all wished that they had learned to read as well as Harold.
When on the morrow Harold returned to the Red King, this is the story which he read from one of the peaceful books of Kisington--the story of The Lion Passant.
Story DNA
Moral
Stories and shared heritage can be more powerful tools for peace than war and aggression.
Plot Summary
Harold, a young boy, entertains the Red King, who is besieging Kisington, by reading stories. After one tale, Harold subtly reveals a potential shared heritage between the King and a local lady, hinting at a long-lost royal cousin and a significant symbol, the 'Lion Passant', found in both the King's and the city's emblems. Despite his warlike nature, the King's curiosity and sense of duty to his lineage are piqued, leading him to postpone the siege for another day to hear the full story of the Lion Passant. Harold's clever use of storytelling thus buys Kisington more time and averts immediate conflict.
Themes
Emotional Arc
tension to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of a larger collection, 'The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts,' which often reinterprets traditional tales or creates new ones with moral undertones. The setting is fictional but evokes a European medieval/renaissance feel.
Plot Beats (11)
- Harold finishes reading the 'Wonder-Garden' story to the Red King, who enjoys it despite the lack of fighting.
- The King asks about the Wonder-Garden's location, and Harold reveals it's near Kisington and now an aquarium.
- Harold suggests that Lady Anyse, the garden's caretaker, might be the King's long-lost cousin, based on a legend.
- The King is intrigued but insists on continuing the war, though he promises to spare the Wonder-Garden area due to potential royal blood.
- Harold mentions the motto 'Noblesse oblige' and the 'Lion Passant', which the King recognizes from his own coat of arms.
- Harold hints at a significant tale behind the Lion Passant, further engaging the King's curiosity.
- The King initially dismisses hearing the story due to the urgency of war, but Harold emphasizes the importance of the written word and the story's connection to the King's emblem.
- Despite his impatience, the Red King decides to postpone the siege for another day to hear the story of the Lion Passant, declaring it his duty.
- Harold is sent back to Kisington with a proclamation of truce, bringing relief to the city.
- Kisington celebrates Harold's success, and he shares his adventure with his friends, who wish they could read as well.
- Harold returns to the Red King the next day, ready to read the story of 'The Lion Passant'.
Characters
Red King ⚔ antagonist
A man of imposing stature, likely broad-shouldered and robust, with a ruddy complexion befitting his 'Red King' moniker. His build suggests a life of military command and physical activity.
Attire: Royal military attire, likely consisting of heavy, practical armor or a thick wool tunic in shades of red and gold, possibly emblazoned with a lion passant emblem. He would wear sturdy leather boots and gauntlets. His clothing is functional for war but still denotes his royal status.
Wants: To wage war and conquer, driven by a sense of duty and the perceived necessity of conflict. He also seeks to uphold his royal lineage and identity.
Flaw: Impatience and a short temper make him prone to rash decisions. He is also susceptible to flattery and the allure of a good story, which can distract him from his primary objectives.
Initially determined to continue the siege, he is gradually charmed and delayed by Harold's storytelling, eventually agreeing to a truce to hear a tale related to his own royal emblem.
Gruff, impatient, warlike, proud, and somewhat easily swayed by flattery or intriguing tales. He values his royal lineage and duty above all else, but can be surprisingly curious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A robust adult male, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a ruddy complexion, a stern, square-jawed face, and short, practical red hair. His eyes are sharp and commanding. He wears a heavy, deep red wool tunic with gold trim, sturdy leather gauntlets, and dark leather boots. A prominent lion passant emblem is embroidered on his chest. He holds a polished, functional sword in his right hand, resting the tip on the ground. His posture is proud and determined, with a slight frown of impatience. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Harold ★ protagonist
A young boy, likely of slender build, given his age. His appearance is not explicitly detailed, but his intelligence and charm suggest a bright, engaging demeanor.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a boy from Kisington, possibly a linen tunic and trousers in muted colors, perhaps with a small satchel for books. His attire would be clean but not luxurious.
Wants: To protect his city, Kisington, from war by delaying the Red King. He is also driven by a love of stories and reading.
Flaw: His youth and physical vulnerability, which he overcomes with his intellect.
Transforms from a simple boy reading a story to a crucial figure who single-handedly delays a war, earning the gratitude of his city.
Intelligent, resourceful, charming, persuasive, and peace-loving. He is quick-witted and uses his skills to protect his city.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a bright, intelligent face with shining eyes and neat, dark hair. He wears a simple cream linen tunic, dark brown trousers, and soft leather shoes. He holds a large, open storybook in both hands, looking up with an earnest and slightly mischievous smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Lady Anyse ○ minor
Tall and handsome, with red hair. Her features are likely refined, suggesting a noble background or a life of comfort.
Attire: Elegant, well-maintained clothing suitable for a lady caring for a public garden, possibly a flowing dress made of fine linen or silk in muted, tasteful colors, perhaps with a light shawl. Her attire would be practical yet graceful.
Wants: To maintain and care for the public gardens of Kisington, upholding the legacy of Cedric and Gerda.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a vulnerability due to her connection to the Red King's potential lineage.
Remains a static character, serving as a point of intrigue and a reason for the Red King's delayed attack.
Caring and responsible, as she has the 'Aquarium' (formerly the Wonder-Garden) under her care.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, handsome adult woman, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a refined face with striking red hair, styled elegantly, and kind eyes. She wears a flowing, pale green linen dress with delicate embroidery at the cuffs and hem, and a light cream shawl draped over her shoulders. Her posture is graceful and dignified. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Red King's Tent/Encampment
A temporary military encampment outside the city walls of Kisington, likely with a central, prominent tent for the Red King. The atmosphere is one of readiness for battle, with soldiers making preparations for a siege.
Mood: Tense, military, expectant, but temporarily paused by Harold's storytelling
Harold reads the tale of the Wonder-Garden to the Red King, and later convinces him to delay the siege for another day to hear the tale of the Lion Passant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, crimson-colored canvas tent, richly embroidered with a royal crest, stands prominently in a military encampment at night. Around it, the silhouettes of soldiers move, preparing siege equipment under the cool glow of a crescent moon. The ground is trodden earth, and distant city walls are faintly visible against the dark horizon. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Gerda's Villa / The Aquarium (Wonder-Garden)
A villa located about a mile from Kisington's library, by the sea. Originally Gerda's Wonder-Garden, it is now a public garden called 'The Aquarium' and is under the care of Lady Anyse. It is described as still being a 'wonder-garden' despite changes.
Mood: Magical, wondrous, peaceful, historical, now publicly accessible
Harold describes this location to the Red King, hinting at a possible familial connection between Lady Anyse and the Red King, and successfully persuades the King to spare this part of Kisington from attack.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand, seaside villa with elegant, light-colored stone walls and large arched windows, nestled amidst lush, vibrant gardens. Palm trees sway gently in the sea breeze, and exotic flowers bloom in profusion around clear, tranquil pools of water. The path leading to the villa is paved with smooth, sun-drenched flagstones, overlooking a sparkling blue ocean under a bright, clear sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Poor Widow's Cottage
A humble cottage, likely small and cozy, where Harold lives with his mother. After Harold's success, it becomes a place of celebration, filled with gifts from leading citizens.
Mood: Warm, celebratory, grateful, humble yet joyful
Harold is celebrated by his friends and the townspeople for delaying the war, and they hold a feast in his honor.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, timber-framed cottage interior, with a sturdy, rough-hewn wooden table at its center, laden with simple, celebratory food and small gifts. A warm, flickering fire glows in a stone hearth, casting dancing shadows on the whitewashed walls. Children sit on wooden benches, their faces lit with joy and admiration, as soft lamplight illuminates the cozy, humble space. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.