An Audience With The King

Sarah tried to keep her mind on her cleaning while she waited for her husband to return. If the king would just give them a few more weeks to pay the taxes, then the crops would be in. They barely had enough to eat without coming up with the tax money. Sam had dreaded seeking an audience with the king, but they already had two extensions, and the only way to get a third one was to make a personal appeal to the king.

Then, as she glanced out the window for the fiftieth time, she saw Sam coming down the road. As he got closer she strained to see the expression on his face. He didn't appear jubilant, and yet he didn't seem discouraged. He seemed puzzled or in shock.

Sam was reaching for the door when it flew open and Sarah asked, "Do we have three more weeks to pay?"

Sam didn't answer, as if he didn't know what to say. "Well, what happened?" Sarah prompted as Sam entered the room.

Sam slowly sat down at the table and began to speak. "When I was next, they led me to the back of the throne room. I was awestruck with the splendor. It was more than I ever imagined. And I was standing on the king's spotless red carpet in my work boots.

"The man ahead of me was still speaking with the king. It was the man with the big farm down by the river. He was having some sort of property dispute with the king. He said, 'I only want what I deserve.' And then the king said, 'Your request is granted.' Then the king said to the guards, 'Execute him.' The man exclaimed 'What!' The king replied, 'You asked for what you deserved and you deserve to die.' Then the guards grabbed him and dragged him out of the throne room. I could hear him screaming and cursing the king as they dragged him down into the dungeon to await his execution.

"I was so scared, I wanted to run, but I didn't know which way to turn. Then the guard next to me said, 'You're next.' He led me down to the front of the throne room in front of the king. I was so frightened I couldn't speak. The king said, 'You're here to ask for another extension on your taxes aren't you Sam?' I said, 'Yes, your highness.' The king replied, 'You know you would have the money if you didn't spend it at the tavern. But you had to go down and lust after that redheaded barmaid.'"

Sarah screamed, "You were what!"

Sam continued, "Then he said, 'I know what you said about me there. You know what the penalty for that is!'"

Sarah ran and looked out the window. "How did you escape? How far ahead of the soldiers are you? We've got to get out of here!"

Sam continued, "I threw myself on the floor and screamed, 'Have mercy on me, your Highness!' And then the king said, 'Your request is granted.' I said, 'What?' The king replied, 'Your debt is canceled, you don't have to pay the taxes, and I will forget what you said about me.' Then he got up off the throne and came down and helped me get up off the floor. Then he gave me this." Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold piece.

Sarah exclaimed, "That's enough to buy food for a month!"

Sam continued. "He said, 'I don't want your family to go hungry.' When I thanked him and turned to leave, he said 'Come back again soon so we can talk, and spend time with Sarah instead of at the tavern.'"

After pausing for a moment, Sam added, "The man ahead of me demanded what he thought he deserved and didn't get it. I asked for what I admitted I didn't deserve and got more than I asked for."