A DOGWOOD FAIRY TALE

Last re-tread for the day--I promise!  Another blog, that much later became a column, that became part of the Dogwood legend.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far, on Madison Street, there stood a weather worn palace in the Kingdom known as Dogwood.


At first, two Princes lived in this castle. Their lives were filled with merry making and the drink flowed freely throughout the Kingdom. But this became a boring life for the princes, so it was decided that a princess was needed.

They searched and searched, looking for a princess that would be happy in the Kingdom that they lived in. Time went by, and finally, a young one was brought into the castle to share their lives and the fruits of their labor within the palace.

Princess Lucy was spoiled just like anyone’s first born.

She was the princess, and the Princes brought her food, kept her comfortable, bathed her, and kept the kingdom in order around her. She pioneered the raged frontiers of Dogwood that would, in later years, become the famed kingdom that it is today. Her first year, Princess Lucy was pampered and fussed over by her Princes. She could do no wrong, and even if she did, the punishment was never a severe one.

As time went by, Lucy grew and matured. Soon the Princes decided to lay down their powers to the Princess, as they loved her so much. Within her first year, the princess took her crown, as she began her reign as supreme Queen of Dogwood. With this, the Princes slipped down the royal chain of command to land of serfdom, where they labored to keep her highness happy.

Serfdom wasn’t all that bad. But the serfs saw that the Queen was lonely and that she needed someone else at her side when they were not there.

Enter ten week old Prince Charlie. The Queen was HORRIFIED!

Suddenly there was a young prince in the palace. The hierarchy of things trembled just a tad, but soon settled. The first day Charlie entered the kingdom, Lucy wouldn’t come near him. Charlie was in love at first sight of her, and only wanted to suit her fancy.

But the Queen was not having that.

The royal remnants had already been cut and tied on both the Queen and the young Prince, so there would be no royal romance in the palace. But later, the Queen decided that she would need an heir to the throne, and adopted him as one of her own.

This worked out fine. The Prince was in no way looking for a throne, and he quietly denounced his royal place to Lucy, throne, bone and rubber squeaky toy. She remained the Queen, and eventually, allowed Charlie to lay in her presence, down wind of course.

Another two years passed. The House of L was the ultimate power in the Kingdom of Dogwood. Queen Lucy reigned supreme over a playful prince and two serfs who stood at her beck and call every hour of the day and night.

But one day, a wanderer came into the Kingdom. As in the fairy tales of old, though she was in a poor state upon her arrival, she too was of a royal lineage of a lost throne.

Enter the feline.

Suddenly, it was Queen vs. Queen mother. The moment Pearl the cat set royal paw into Dogwood, you could feel the kingdom cringe. This was another blow to her highness. This creature looked nothing like the prince or herself, and she had no idea what was to become of the throne, the House of L, or the Kingdom of Dogwood.

But as usual, peace remained in the kingdom, and once again, the Queen made a wise choice.

At a royal summit, held not long after Princess Pearl’s arrival, it was decided by the Queen mother that the princess was to also join her court, and have her own lands and castle. There after, the kingdom known as the bedrooms and kitchen were hailed in Queen Lucy’s name, and the lands of the Living and Dining Room were left to the dainty paw of the White princess. They became known as the Feline Fields.

Once again, peace and serenity filled the kingdom. But there would be one last upset to the hierarchy of the kingdom.

Through out History, it is common knowledge that every reigning empire and kingdom must fall at one time or another. As the Aztecs had fallen to the Spanish centuries before---the Camelot like kingdom of Dogwood fell to its own conquistador that came in the form of a little rat terror named HINES.

As any good Queen would, Lucy called all her minions to arms to defend the kingdom. The battle was short. Once again, the Queen ruled in patience and wisdom, making the conquistador a guest of the kingdom. An agreement was made by the royal counsel, to share the lands of the Queen Mother and the Feline Fields with the new arrival.

Before long, the young conqueror became a close confidant, and was granted a royal inclusion in the House of L. It was put forth in a royal decree that all who lived in the Kingdom of Dogwood, no matter what part, should be considered loyal and welcome subjects of the throne. When the parchment came forth, it was given the “mark of approval” by all parties, and the dampened document became law.

The Queen’s reign has always been a prosperous one. The royal treasury was always filled with hugs and wet kisses, the fields were plentiful with cat nip and treats, and the borders were well guarded from enemy invaders.

They are all still living there, enjoying a bountiful, peaceful life under supervision of the Queen, her feline companion, the prince, and the conqueror. When the Queen is happy, the serfs see the look in her majesties face, as if to say “This pleases us.”

From the throne room, resting on her Queen sized throne, she surveys her kingdom and her subjects. The serfs are loved and valued as if they too ran on four legs and paws. They are the Queens protectors, her guard, true loves of her heart. The serfs love the Queen and her court, forever grateful that this Kingdom given them stands an oasis from the barbaric world outside its walls.

In the kingdom of Dogwood, peace and harmony ruled, and the lands of the House of L will continue to flourished and bloom for many, many years to come.

And they all lived happily ever after.