Long ago in a far away land Ruled a evil King with a strong hand He was mean and he was cruel Such a man should never rule. He had a daughter and a loving wife Two tall sons and a marvelous life His lack of appreciation for what he had Made the King’s family very sad. Gold coins piled high with plenty for his needs Could not satisfy the King’s vast greed He taxed his Subjects and he stole their land Issuing proclamations full of bold demands The beautiful Princess– no longer a girl Gave her hand in marriage to a handsome Earl Rode away with her husband on a prancing steed Leaving behind the King consumed with greed The oldest son loved adventures, games, and sport He soon grew weary of the boring court Where nothing occupied his royal father’s day But thinking of ways to make his Subjects pay. One fine day the Prince could stand no more Made plans to head for a distant shore Strapped on armor and a sharp-edged sword Sailed far away to fight a distant war. The King took no notice of his children’s flight He sat counting money all through the night The youngest son stopped as he went to bed Stood watching the King and sadly shook his head. The Prince worried about his father – his mother, too. He wished that he knew the best thing to do Nothing good could come of the King’s evil gain Seeing his parents drift apart gave the young man pain. Finally the Queen, with a broken heart Sighed and climbed aboard a rickety cart She used this vehicle to steal away One early morning at the break of day. Riding along behind a long-eared mule She cursed her husband for being a fool. Through the Village Square; past a flowing fountain The Queen drove her mule up a towering mountain. A magical genie lived on the mountaintop Reaching the wizard’s home, the queen did stop. That she would be found, she had no fears, Here the Queen could be safely hidden for years. No one knew the Queen was alive and well - No one but the youngest son who would not tell. The Queen sent her son a note inside an ancient ring and begged him not to tell his father, the King. Sitting in his castle on his massive throne One day the King realized that he was all alone. There was dirt on the windows and on the floor He hadn’t eaten all day – and his stomach was sore. The King cursed loudly and then yelled for his wife She had always cared for the desires of his life “Why has she deserted me?” the poor man moaned “She could have left a note – or she could have phoned.” Ah, but the Queen was happy and very content She only regretted the lost years she had spent Worshiping at the feet of the man she called “Honey” - Catering to the man who loved nothing but money.