As you guys know, I am an SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) member, who re-enacts history up to 1650AD.
This story touched my heart, and made me teary eyed and proud all at once.
sniffles at his desk
There was a contest on the SCA-West list to come
up with the most positive stories and posts. This
was the first.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [SCA-West] Dare To have a Good Story
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 07:25:30 PDT
From: “Margarette Rose” <lostrose10@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sca-west@rogues.net
To: sca-west@rogues.net
My Lord,
I shall take your challenge, but if grace should
shine, not the prize (I hate fish).
Make-a-Wish
(A day of Magic)
Long ago in a kingdom on the West Coast, there was
a small tourney. This tourney was the first
“Make-a-wish” tourney that I ever attended. The
foundation had brought a, small eight year old boy
in a wheel chair, to the event. It was his “hearts desire” that he should be “King for a Day.” As with all who qualify for
this foundation, he was dying. He had cancer of
the brain and the doctors had given him, 2-3 months more to live.
He was wheelchair bound, and on medication, but
much more alert than most expected. His cute brown
hair and big eyes seemed to eat up everything he
saw!
The day was beautiful, not overly hot, and the
skies were clear. The populace had crafted a crown, a scepter, and a cloak for “His Majesty”. As we stood and bowed as
he was brought down the center isle for opening
court, the wind picked up and sent the banners
snapping in the breeze. Two knights, attended His
Majesty, as well as his Mother, who walked
behind. Her eyes were misty as she watched total
strangers giving her son his dying wish.
During opening court,the combatants for the day
came forward and pledged their fights to His Majesty’s honor. Without prompting, He smiled, thanked
them, and wished them well. He was so grown up in
his manners and speech. Everyone’s heart caught in their throats.
Towards the end of the day, “His Majesties”
attendants requested an audience with the Knights
council and the King (ours). At the council
meeting, one of the knights requested, that as
this small child had through out the day shown
bravery, honor, chivalry, and courtesy, he should
be knighted, by our King for real. This knight
offered his own belt for the lad, another came
forward and offered his chain, still another
offered his spurs and finally the last knight who
came forward offered his “dagger” to serve as a
sword for the new knight. There was one of the
older knights who objected, saying that “they
couldn’t possibly knight this boy, who first was
not a member of the society and who secondly
wasn’t even a fighter!” But as Our King pointed
out, the child was dying and wouldn’t live to gown
up to be a fighter, but that he had been fighting
this disease all of his life and had been able to
be courteous through it all! The older knight,
sat down. Also the King continued, saying, that
he himself, had also watched the lad and indeed he
could attest to his bravery, for he never should
any discomfort, to anyone.
At closing court His Majesty was knighted! Those
attending court cried, those knights who gave up their own items cried and the day ended.
But this is not the end of the story. Nine or ten
months later, his Mother came to an event. She
wanted first to “thank us.”, for making her sons
last days so happy and to let us know that the
doctors had credited the Society and its actions
with prolonging the childs life. She also said
that when things got really bad, he never cried,
because, he said, “Real, knights had to be brave
and since he was a real knight now, he had to be
brave too.” Also she wanted us to know that, he
died with his belt, chain, and spurs on, holding
his sword. She had buried him with the sword,
belt and chain, but wanted to return the spurs to
the Knight who had donated them. The knight in
question, rose, and knelt before this lady, “It
was an honor, My Lady, to count your son, as one
of us.” He told her. “Your son has taught us all
the true meaning of bravery. Please keep the
spurs as a remembrance of him and the honor he did
us all.”
Many years have come and gone since this
Make-a-wish tourney, but I still
remember the generosity of the SCA and its ability
to touch the every day world.
I hope this qualifies for a positive story. It
has certainly touched my life and inspired me.
I hope it does you too.
Mags
O
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