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101 Word Short Stories

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Nobody’s Fool

September 23, 2023 2 Comments

By Gail Warrick Cox

“Come, Fool, entertain your king,” the chancellor instructed, pushing the jester forward, keen to raise the king’s spirits before requesting yet more money. The jester shook his sceptre. Bells jingling, he whispered to the grotesque atop.

“What nonsense is this you speak to your puppet?” the king enquired.

“I remind him who is master and who is the marotte,” the jester said.

“Why so?”

“Lest the puppet becomes the puppeteer,” the jester replied, bowing courteously.

The king wafted the chancellor away and turned to the jester. “Sometimes a king may be a fool,” he said, “but you, Fool, are never so.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rudolph Ferro says

    September 23, 2023 at 8:58 am

    Beautiful big, big Jester. I wished that I could have been like him teaching the king a thing or two…for a better world in general. We all need more Jesters in this world and a lot less insignificant politicians. That it be so, Shazam! (I used this magic trick several times but it hasn’t worked yet…I need a lot more magical people on my side…Won’t YOU be one of them?)

    Reply
  2. Cathryn says

    September 23, 2023 at 12:36 pm

    Hello Gail,
    Masterfully crafted, beginning in medias res and ending with a well thought-out conclusion worthy of considering by all.

    Reply

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