Monday, June 02, 2008

Schadenfreude and grandee

The nobleman had a reputation for malice, but it was a reputation undeserved. In fact, he was the gentlest of men, once sobbing when he accidentally killed a fly.

His mother preferred the harsh rumors to the truth of his almost idiotic kindness. "How are you keep the peasants under control if you cannot even stand to harm a bug?"

The nobleman shrugged, and his mother slapped him. He bit his bottom lip so as not to cry.

"Ugh!" she exclaimed, whirling out of the room in a fury. "I tried to raise a lion and I ended up with a slug."

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