THE PRETENSE KING

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

My fiction world of make-believe writing takes me into many places, many worlds, many individual attempts. Oftentimes it may be creating text making something that is not the case appear true. In doing so, I cross many literary bridges of feelings, attitudes, or intentions. I may even step on a few toes occasionally.

Conversely, sometimes the writing is precisely the opposite, of making a truth seem fictional. Kind of like the old truism, “if the shoe fits wear it.” Even so in reading my writing style, you may in effect develop a mental foot bunion or two in the process.

So, one may label this writing style of mine as giving out a false feeling or attitude to fit one’s lifestyle. If so, so be it. Time marches on.

Kingdoms come; kingdoms go. Kingdoms live and kingdoms die. According to historical accounts, no civilization has lived far beyond 250 years. So, how’s your civilization doing? How long will it last?

It seems in today’s culture, life as the Scripture dictates is quickly becoming starker than ever. Evil is becoming bolder and more open to perversion. Evil is now considered good and good is seen as evil.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21)

Here within this blog you will see a fictional kingdom of honor and respectability, and of priestesses’ courage. You may also see the possible makings of forced, unwanted societal changes.

So, come now, grab a big chunk of buttered cornbread, wash it down with a big glass of homemade sweet tea, sit back and pretend for a while that you are there. I trust you will enjoy this fictional tale “The Pretense King.”


I found myself in a faraway land of medieval beauty. Deep green grassy slopes, rolling hillsides, lush-smelling multi-colored flowers were overlooked by a deep blue sky. Sprinkled among the hills were an array of quaint, well-kept cottages. This was surely heaven on earth.

Moving inward, I saw within this old-fashioned kingdom the center of attention, the focal point of it all. There was a medieval castle, graced with the customary water moat. Its well-traveled drawbridge was still in operation.

Wait, what’s all this? What are all these people doing gathered around outside? Well, I’m not sure but they don’t seem to be very happy. I think I’ll just hang around and see what’s up.

Suddenly, there was the kingdom's newly-elected king, emerging from within the castle's domed tower and onto an upper, center balcony, surrounded by his royal palace guard.

His appearance was a concern, as he stumbled out as if he wasn’t really sure of himself or where he was.

His fellow countrymen, many of them crowded in the courtyard below, seemed somewhat alarmed at his demeanor but politely waited for his remarks. Word on the street was he was to make an all-important announcement.

Understandably, the rumor mill was in full swing throughout the masses, as to what has disturbed this new king so soon after his somewhat questionable election. Will this new king push our great kingdom to the breaking point, was the question of the masses down below. Then the king began to speak.

“My fellow countrymen, this pandemic has gotten out of control and forces me to make this announcement. Our country cannot take the same posture as in the past. We must act and act now, for the good of all our kingdoms citizens."

Effective immediately, thanks to my goodwill progress since being elected, we now have a cure for this most unusual pandemic," he continued. "Every citizen of this great kingdom will be required to take the “freedom medication” which I have developed by way of a small sugar cube on the tongue. Those citizens who refuse this pandemic cure will immediately be thrown into the kingdom's dungeon, with no exceptions."

There rippled through the crowd a surge of whispers and alarmed looks were shared between those assembled.

He went on, "And in one week, the royal palace guard will be going door to door and surveying all kingdom citizens. Those who refused this new miracle cure of my making, will be thrown into the kingdom's dungeon. Please understand this is necessary for the welfare and survival of all our citizens. Again, I must emphasize, no excuses."

That’s when the rumpus really ramped up among the masses standing below the castle walls. It was all the royal guard could do to keep order. The accepted disapproval signal of thumbs-down was observed throughout the crowd.

The sight of the public disapproval was too much for this newly elected king and he quickly showed signs of losing it altogether in public. So he was quickly escorted from the castle balcony by his guard, to the continued murmuring of the crowd.

What happened next was unknown to me for as usual my dream world had suddenly ended abruptly, as all my dreams have been doing lately.

Nonetheless, I can only surmise the kingdom's populace continued their reaction to this most unpopular king’s command. Especially, gathering from the civil reaction I encountered during the little time of my dream, it seemed as if this newly-elected king's following was somewhat suspicious at best.

Nonetheless much like all my other recent dreams, I found myself simply lying there in bed fully awake, soaked with sweat. I’ve got to get hold of myself. After all, dream or no dream, as a well-educated Bible scholar, I know beyond a doubt our loving Creator is definitely still in control of His created universe. (Daniel 2:19-23)

After a brief comforting Bible devotion followed by a fervent prayer, this old, retired Bible scholar hit the sack. Tomorrow is another day of service Amen!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this bit of fiction musing as well as I did in its writing. I really love fiction, back into the past, forward into today and on into the future.

So, what is your take on it all? How did this apparent unsure King survive it? I have my opinion, taken today's divided culture. I can only surmise your thoughts.

You may remember that old cliché 'truth is stranger than fiction.' Well, I’ll say this about it, fiction is often obliged to stick to the pretend, the unbelievable, in writing the substance of a blog. Whereas, truth should always tell the truth. This statement, of course, could be nonsense, and so may be the claim.

So, what about fiction? How does its context suit your fancy? For me, I love the pretense of imagining in my thinking, dreaming, and writing. So, please stay tuned for my next fiction adventure. Amen!

“It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Proverbs 16:12-17, 23)