up the road

by timothy t jones

once upon a time there was a happy kingdom, ruled by a wise king and a beautiful queen. one day the queen was seated at one of the windows of the castle and she saw a stranger coming up the road. he looks like a strange man, the queen said to her maid, who was sated at the window with her.along with her jester and her privy counselor. what is strange about him? asked the maid, he looks like any other stranger coming up the road. that is a good question, answered the queen. she turned to the privy councilor, and said - summon the captain of the guard, and have the fellow brought before me. as you wish. the captain of the guard brought the stranger before the queen. he looked a bit shabbier in person than he had seemed, observed from the castle window. who are you? the queen asked the stranger.. i am he who travels forever, but never arrives, the stranger replied. that could describe a lot of people, the queen’s maid said, with a laugh. almost everybody, the jester added, except our most gracious king and queen. do not speak in riddles to her majesty, the privy councilor advised the stranger sternly. i am he who neither flies, nor feels the road under his feet, the stranger said. more riddles! the privy councilor exclaimed. speak plainly, fellow! you are not being very hospitable, councilor, the queen observed mildly. come, sir, we wish you no ill. who are you? i am he who is a slave to all, but bow to no one. this will not do, not do at all, the privy councilor sneered, as the jester snickered and the maid rolled her eyes. do you mean to say you would not bow before his majesty the king? there is no king, the stranger answered. the queen laughed, and turned to the privy councilor. this is beginning to be amusing, she observed. please find his majesty and ask for the favor of his presence. with a scowl, the privy councilor did as the queen bid. but the king could not be found, neither in his chamber, or anywhere in the castle or the surrounding grounds. and though the entire kingdom was searched, as well as the surrounding kingdoms, and the empires to the east and north and the rivers to the south and the oceans to the west, he was never found.