There once lived a king

Of integrity and renown

But he was growing old

And another would soon have his crown

 

So the king had to choose

With no kin of his own

Between four of his lords

Who was right for the throne

 

The king roused them early

And invited them in

For if they wished to rule

There was a game they must win

 

'To compete for the crown

I'll provide what you need'

The king asked for their hands

And gave each of them a seed

 

'Go far away

And plant them where you please

In time and with care

They will grow into trees'

 

'My lord whose tree

Grows biggest and tall

Will receive my crown

And be king over all'

 

The lords were excited

And shook at the knees

Then they ran far away

To find a place for their trees

 

Twenty years passed

And the king became gray

So he gathered the lords

For his strength would not stay

 

He gave them a grin

Saying 'today is the day--

I'd like to see your trees

If I may'

 

The lords rejoiced

The news made them glad

Except for the fourth

Who appeared to be sad

 

The first lord led them

Far, far away

To a tree in the woods

Which was quite big for its day

 

He proudly said,

'This is where I planted my seed

Hasn't my tree grown mighty tall?'

The king replied 'yes, yes indeed'

 

The second lord led them

Far, far away

To a tree by a river

Which was quite big for its day

 

He proudly said,

'This is where I planted my seed

Hasn't my tree grown mighty tall?'

The king replied 'yes, yes indeed'

 

The third lord led them

Far, far away

To a tree on a hill

Which was quite big for its day

 

He proudly said,

'This is where I planted my seed

Hasn't my tree grown mighty tall?'

The king replied 'yes, yes indeed'

 

The fourth lord led them

With tears on his face

To a grassy spot in a meadow

But there was no tree in its place

 

He said 'this is where

I planted my tree

Surely the kingdom

Deserves better than me'

 

The other lords laughed

But the king wasn't through--

He said to the fourth,

'My crown belongs to you'

 

The other three asked

If the king had gone mad

For they did not know

Of the plans that he had

 

On that day long ago

While the lords were in bed

The king gathered four servants

And to each, here's what he said:

 

'Today, follow my lord in secret

Wherever he may lead

Then return in the night

And dig up his seed'