To grace a glisten

King Rudes stood puzzled as he inspected his small kingdom. Below him was his domain filled to the brim with citizens who he called “Students.” He gave them this name for he believed he had something to teach all of them. At the sight of their king above them, the students bowed respectfully, careful not to raise their heads. They quickly filled out at the toll of a large bell to tend to their daily assignments. King Rudes was left alone with not even the sight of his students to keep him company. All he had now were his thoughts.

       The king had spent years trying to decide how to leave his mark on the kingdom. He prided himself on the work he had done but knew soon his reign would come to an end. He needed to find someone trustworthy to ensure his work would not be tarnished upon his death. It was this thought that caused the king to assemble three of his highest “Student” Councilwomen. The three councilwomen entered the throne room apprehensively. The king sat in a trance almost and when he finally spoke the councilwomen were shocked to hear his proposition.

   “Ladies,” he spoke. “My time ruling over this kingdom is nearing an end. I must find someone capable of seeing it to its full potential. So I shall ask one question to see who can replace me.”

       The councilwomen squirmed in their seats awaiting the test. King Rudes looked to the first councilwoman.

   “Councilwoman, how much glisten do you grace?” The king asked powerfully.  

   “Enough to sing a song my king.” She responded.

The king seemed pleased with this answer and moved on to the second councilwoman.

     “Councilwoman, how much glisten do you grace?” He questioned again.

     “Enough to dance a dance your highness.” She whispered timidly.

Again, the king seemed delighted with the answer. However, when he posed the question to the third councilwoman she responded, “Enough to pursue my dreams and allow all dreamers to pursue their dreams as well.”

        The king became infuriated by the answer and had the final councilwoman banned. The councilwoman left quickly and the king began to explain how he would decide between the final two councilwomen. Downstairs, the third councilwoman was prepared to storm out of the kingdom but a mysterious woman cut off her path.

    “Do as I say and you will have your own kingdom.” The stranger told the councilwoman. All she could do was nod and the stranger gave her first instruction.

    “Cover your face and go to where the common students reside. Then I will give you the next instruction.” The councilwoman did as she was told. After cutting her hair short and changing her clothes she snuck into the residencies of the students. The stranger appeared again and gave her second instruction.

    “Find a job and once hired paint three murals on the wall. The first shall be a woman singing, the next of a dancer dancing and the final one of an actor acting. Then you shall have a kingdom. Again the councilwoman did as she was told. The Hombre de la Luna employed her after the normal work hours, which the kingdom called the detention shift. When he wasn’t looking she painted the three pictures. The completed murals caught the attention of any student who passed them and inspired them to sing or dance themselves. Soon a creative uprising began and the king had to be notified. Upon arriving at the scene, the king was shocked to see the students practicing all aspects of art and doing things he didn’t think they were capable of. In the midst of it all stood the third councilwoman who had shed her disguise. The king fell to his knees in front of her before speaking.

     “I never knew my students were capable of such feats but you have opened my eyes.” He stood and took her by the hands.

     “I beg for your forgiveness. This kingdom would do better in your hands than mine. Would you accept my kingdom?” He asked. The councilwoman gave a slight nod and the king let go of her hands.

      “Then it is decided. I pray for good fortune and prosperity in the future.” The king suddenly turned into a Pegasus and flew off into the distance. The last thing anyone heard before he disappeared was a triumphant “Fly high pegasi!”