The Queen!
Everything about her was a lie!
The sailor looked at HER again! She was the Queen they said, She was the most powerful being on the island, but…
She looked old, shrewd, with her hawk-eyes, piercing through him, wrapped in miles of drab grey, sitting on a stone chair which promised to be hard and uncomfortable.
Where were the jewels?
No crown, no rings, no bracelets, no velvet gowns, not even a sceptre!
The Royal courtroom was bare and freezing!
She looked more like the old witch in the village.
His Captain kicked him hard, bringing him to his senses, as it was indicated the sailor ought to bow to Her Highness. Which he complied with quickly.
After what seemed like ages, she inquired in a rather disinterested yet rich voice. It was soft, yet so commanding it brought everyone to attention.
“Is he the one?… Who has brought the news?”
“Yes your Majesty!” bumbled the Captain.
“Let him speak… if he has a tongue!” and she cackled with laughter.
“My Queen, greetings to you! I have indeed witnessed one of the most fabulous lands. Some have thought it a fairy tale, but believe me its true.”
She raised her hand, to indicate to him to shut up.
“So, can you tell us what you saw?”
“Your Majesty, I saw diamonds the size of pigeon eggs, and gold coins… just tonnes of it…buildings paved with silver and pepper growing on trees!” Swallowing his anxiety, he carried on under the merciless gaze …
“I saw strange creatures, and huge lions, women and men riding on elephants!”
“Shh!” she put a bony finger on her thin, dried lips as she indicated he should hush.
“Liar! Have you come to tell me a bedtime story? How dare you?”
Grovelling at her feet, he muttered, “No my queen, how dare I?”
“I have something … Allow me to present it to you!”
Disinterestedly the old queen waved her hand. Running out of the court, he was gone a while before he came sprinting back. Close to his chest, he held what seemed to be a box of some kind, covered with a red satin cloth. He dashed to her feet and held aloft his mysterious gift.
“Remove the cloth, your Majesty!”
The cold, bony, fingers whisked the smooth silky cloth, which for a moment she wanted to feel on her cheeks, so soft was it.
There stood resplendent a sparkling, golden, Nightingale. Studded with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. At once the cold room transformed with warmth emanating from the fire within each priceless gemstone. The brilliance filled the room. The bony jaw of the cold witch-like Queen dropped to her ankles.
“Here your Majesty!” whispered the young man… holding aloft the egg from between the claws of the bird… the biggest diamond that none in the room had ever seen!
Stunning silence shrouded the sparkling room!
“What is the name of this rich land my son?” she asked in honeyed tones.
“India!”