Wrote this for a class with a prop I had chosen at the last possible second. I might go back and rework it, but for now I'm happy with where it's at. Please enjoy!

Artwork ©  electrocat
Jester's Hat and characters within © Me

Please don't use without explicit permission. Thank you.

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408 words
Originally written in 2008

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An impulse. A whim. A mere 'ene meenee minee mo' and the stage is set. The course chosen. An entire life altered by small bells and colorful material. It was meant only in jest, yet by pure coincidence the royal court happened by as I entertained my friends. The entire royal court, including Her.

The king was impressed by my juggling and jokes, and had invited me to the palace as that night's entertainment. I was flushed with sweat as I shared my best jokes that night and juggled more balls than ever before. And the entire time She was watching.

I was a smashing hit, and it wasn't long before I became a permanent fixture in the king's courts. Years of being the joker within my group of friends had paid off beautifully, and I had the entire court rolling on the floor with laughter each night, including Her.

Months past, and the court still hadn't tired of me. Considering that word around the court was that the king rarely kept a jester for more than a week, I figured I was on a roll. Those were Her thoughts too, and when I had lasted six months in the king's good graces, She had come after my performance to congratulate me.

I had seen this fateful night unfold even when I had first laid eyes on Her, yet I was powerless to stop it. She visited me in the gardens, and before she departed, she had left me the most precious gift I had ever received: a kiss from Her soft lips.

From that night on I performed only for Her. It was a deathwish on my part, but I couldn't help myself. The king noticed my love for her soon enough, and now I sit near a flickering candle in this cold dungeon, awaiting my death.

Do I have my regrets for falling in love with the impossible dream of Her love? For being with the king's only daughter is truly as illusive of a dream as flying free with the birds. But no, I shall never regret it. For every time I could make her smile and bring that sparkle within her eyes is worth a million deaths. And the single kiss that was softer than down feathers was truly enough to send my soul soaring. All because one day I chose to don a jester's hat, and I would have it no other way.