Banquet

A banquet hall suffused with warm light. A dozen long tables each seating hundreds, feasting. Platters of bronze, silver cutlery, golden goblets. Drink overflows, food in abundance. Those at the tables make toasts and sup on full plates. Roasted hen, grilled vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, yam mash, fresh fruit, innumerable varieties of cheese, warm bread, pies, tarts and puddings.

At the head of the hall, upon her throne, sits the queen. The monarch seems to radiate light. In truth, most find it hard to look at her. A sword rests across her lap and she gazes gently at her subjects. The frequent toasts praise her majesty's beauty,  just rule and generosity.

The tall doors at the end of the hall crack open and in slips a small figure. It creeps between the banquet tables with trepidation. The queen notices her new guest immediately: a young boy with sallow cheeks, boney arms, cracked lips and ragged clothes clinging to an emaciated frame. He dares not look toward the throne. Instead, he pads behind the merry guests hoping for morsels to drop or someone to spot the starving child and offer some sustenance. Few notice the needy one, consumed by their plenty. Those that do choose to ignore. Some even shoo the beggar away.

A frown appears on the queen’s face. She rises to her feet and sweeps down between the tables. The boy cowers before her as those seated continue to gorge themselves. She takes the boy’s hand and leads the miscreant out of the hall. And the light follows her. As the giant double doors swing shut behind them, the hall fades to darkness. Shouts. Surprise. Fear. Where is the queen? I cannot see! Why has she abandoned us?

The queen leads the boy along winding corridors to a small kitchen. She seats him at a rough-hewn table and pours him a cup of milk. The queen leans her sword in the corner, puts on an apron then sets about preparing food. She serves the boy a hearty soup. He slurps it up hungrily, the bowl soon empty. Would you like more, Says the queen. Yes, Says the boy with his eyes downcast, But my friends outside — they are hungry too. The queen smiles, Go. Bring them to me. There is enough for all.