More wit and wisdom from Michael Rosen
JVL Introduction
Michael Rosen, wise, witty and above all humane, has produced some new additions to his growing collection of dialogues between an imaginary King and Tutor.
Although, of course, it has to be said that any resemblance to real events or people is purely coincidental, there can be little doubting the contemporary relevance of his latest offerings reproduced below – on ancestral lands and being warlike.
This editor was moved by current events to throw in an earlier dialogue as well, on minimising deaths. And for good measure, here is Michael acting out a conversation about borders in May this year.
Enjoy, and follow Michael Rosen on Facebook if you can.
NWI
This article was originally published by Michael Rosen's Facebook on Tue 1 Oct 2024. Read the original here.
Always remember your ancestral lands
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“Surely, as King of this Kingdom, it is my choice of where and whom I reign over?” said the King.
Said the Tutor: “Indeed, your Majesty. It is for you to cast your hand and send your loyal subjects to capture riches and land from near and far”.
This made the King bristle with pride and belief, that he could defend his Kingdom by subjugating those from other lands.
“Would that please the Emperor”? Asked the King.
“The Emperor has only a few short months left your highness, but he’s always willing and amenable” replied the Tutor. It would be prudent to press on with great speed, your highness. You may need to ask for a few extra bales of hey for the horses”.
“Right” said the King. “I’ll take your advice, young tutor. Bring me that map from over there. I think we should lay claim to this place here [pointing at the map] It looks rather idyllic for a King”.
“I think your Majesty may wish to position the map the other way round. That’s Guantánamo Bay” said the Tutor with unease. Thinking, perhaps that was the best place for the overbearing King………
In reality the king is not an innocent. The tutor doesn’t tell him what to think but how to present (or rather misrepresent) his evil actions to the public.
Michael Rosen has provided a clever allegory of the Israeli government’s self-serving justification of its aggression against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. The artistic triumph should be circulated widely.