JANUARY 2002
A STORY FOR ALL AGES
THE KINGDOM OF THE EMERALD SHORE
By Don Roberts
Two annum's ago, during the reign of Sir Richard, the stout-hearted Hoffert,
(not to be confused with the mythical Hobbit of burglary fame), it came to pass
that the giant wizard, known as Harold the Kind, laid down his sword, long
raised in defense of the good folk of the Emerald Shore Kingdom. The Kingdom was
uncertain and fearful as to what to do without a wizard, until out of the
northern mists rode the much smaller, but very active wizard, by name-- Roy, the
Cunning. Now the speech and manners of Sir Roy were at first strange and
confusing to the Knights and Ladies of the Kingdom and the times became
unsettled with new and threatening spells and incantations. The good folk of the
Kingdom became weary from having to go about in full body armor all the time;
but gradually, the armor began to fall away and then the most amazing and
wonderful things began to happen: Each citizen of the Kingdom, of course,
carried a shield; some large, some small, some shiny, some old and rusty. But
gradually, on each shield, appeared a sign or word---such as: 'Integrity',
'Candor', 'Trust', 'Honor', 'Faith', 'Loyalty', 'Responsibility', 'Sharing' and
many with 'Love' and also many with 'Patience'. It was as if each shield
reflected the nature of its bearer and all together they conveyed a great
message and statement.
Well, as Sir Roy rode west to joust with the great desert kingdoms, a wonderful
magical transformation started in the Kingdom of the Emerald Shore. Water
suddenly sprouted from the ground and the fields turned from brown to green. The
weather in the Kingdom changed from its damp and musty nature to one more
conducive to the health and industry of the good citizens. Princesses and
Princes came forth to lead the committee guilds in the affairs of the Kingdom.
People began going from cottage to cottage to inquire as to the well-being of
their neighbors and to lend support when needed. And the great castle on the
hill that had suffered the ravages of time, under the benevolent attention of
Lady Susan and Sir Doug began to shine and gleam to the amazed delight and joy
of the good citizens.
As the inhabitants of the Emerald Shore Kingdom reflected on the nature of
wizards and wizardry in general, they came to a great understanding: and that
was that each person has within the power of wizardry and that it is foolish and
unwise to attribute and give all the wizard powers to any one person. The
citizens decided that in the future, they would seek a head wizard who would
live among them and would share the wizardry work with all the folk in the
Kingdom.
Now, as with all great stories, the future is unknown. But that is how the
Kingdom of the Emerald Shore looks to Sir Don, the Wiser, as he departs the
Round Table and returns to the fields of the Kingdom of the Emerald Shore.