Monday 24 December 2012

The Royal Hairdresser of Washgookawilly




Once upon a time, in the great country of Washgookawilly, there lived a hairdresser by the name Gilliband. He was poor, but very happy in his life. He trimmed people’s hair and shaved their beards and made them look the way they wanted to. Every man and child in the land knew him well. And he enjoyed that popularity to the fullest of its extent.

King Solomon looked after his people with love and care. Everyone loved and respected him, and so did Gilliband. He was twenty one when Prince Berthold was born. Just like everyone else, Gilliband, too, was eager to take a look at the little prince. ‘You can’t see the Prince for another four years,’ the King had said. Little did he know then that a huge life-changing opportunity was on its way.

One day, a messenger came by and delivered a message; a message he would remember for the rest of his life: the king wants to see you. He was surprised and tensed. What does the king want with me?

Unlike the things he had imagined, the king welcomed him with a big smile on his face.

‘Welcome, Gilliband. I’ve heard a lot about you.’

‘Thank you, your majesty,’ Gilliband said, bowing his head.

‘I may need your services from now on, for which you’ll be paid handsomely,’ the king said.

‘As you wish, your majesty,’ Gilliband said.

And then the king had taken him inside the royal chamber. For the first time Gilliband was given the opportunity to see Berthold. As he stood there, looking after the little prince, the King told him a secret he needed to carry in his heart as long as he lived. In return, the king would make his life a bed of roses.

‘I give you my word, my king. I talk to no one about this. Until my last breath,’ Gilliband said.

The king heaved a sigh of relief and held him by the arms. ‘I knew I could count on you.’

Thus began a new life for Gilliband. From an ordinary hairdresser he now became a royal hairdresser. There was a celebration in his neighborhood. Some were happy for him, some were jealous, but everyone congratulated him.

Gilliband’s new job as the royal hairdresser went on smoothly. He was one of the fortunate people to witness the growing up years of Berthold. No one had any doubt he would grow up to be a great king like his father. And Berthold’s respect for Gilliband only grew with each passing day.

Eight years later Gilliband got married. Even the king, the queen, and the prince attended the wedding and wished him luck for his future. It was one of the biggest occasions of the year. If some people were surprised as to why the king gave so much importance to an ordinary hairstylist, they didn’t evince it. Three years later Gilliband’s wife gave birth to a baby boy. It was, once again, celebrated with great fervor.

Prince Berthold was growing up fast. Washgookawilly was enjoying its peace and serenity. But things didn’t remain the same. Several years later King Mighton of Gandalokas attacked Washgookawilly. To everyone’s shock, King Solomon was killed in the battle. Although Berthold, who was now the king, avenged his father, the void was too conspicuous.

King Berthold proved to be a great king like everyone had prophesied. ‘Your father would have been proud of you,’ Gilliband told Berthold one day.

Years passed and Washgookawilly only prospered more and more under the rule of Berthold. But then, Gilliband grew old, too. And one day, he passed away. The only man outside the palace to know the secret of Berthold was gone; the man who had steadfastly protected the secret, who had not even talked about it to his wife or son, had gone forever.

Upon losing his loyal hairdresser, King Berthold became despondent. ‘Who will share my misery now?’ he wept in the nights. The man who had trimmed his hair and kept his secret was no more. It was no doubt a big loss for Berthold.

What is the secret that bound Gilliband and King Berthold? Why was Gilliband, an ordinary hairdresser, given so much importance by the royal family? Now that Gilliband is dead, what will happen? Who will guard the secret now? Read The Story of King Berthold to know the answers to these fascinating questions. Answers that will surprise you and enchant you beyond means.

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