Part 1 of "The King's Secret"

A King was born with donkey ears.  Otherwise he was completely healthy and whole. 

From his birth, the kingdom wondered why the King was never seen without his hat. Soon the people accepted the fact and stopped wondering. 

The problem was, the King needed to get haircuts.  His mother cut his hair until the day she died.  Then the King faced a dilemma.  Who could he trust to keep his secret?

He started with the royal barber.  He carefully watched the barber’s face and saw the look of shock when he took off his hat.  After the cut the King casually asked, “Did you notice anything unusual today?”

“Why no, King, said the barber, “just the donkey ears on your head.”

The King nodded.  He put on his hat and left the room. Moments later a guard rushed in and took the barber away.  He was never seen again.

The King’s hair grew fast and the next month he tried a barber who didn’t speak.  But the gasp that came when he saw the King’s head sealed his fate. 

Soon barbers across the land began making excuses when the King’s guards came.  To cut the King’s hair meant to lose one’s head.

Finally, an old barber convinced his young apprentice to try.  They strategized what to do and the young man went before the King. 

At the end of the cut the King asked if the young barber had noticed anything unusual.

“No, your Highness.  Only your handsome face and regal ears.”

The King searched the young man’s face.  He looked serious and sincere.

“Nothing unusual?” 

“No, your Highness.”

So the King kept the young man in his court, and had him stay in his own royal chambers.   They played chess together, and ate fantastic meals.  They talked of politics and music.  It was a luxurious life, and the young apprentice was mostly happy. 

Part 2 -- tomorrow.
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