Rise To The Crown- The Story of the Third-In-Line

_* Forty-Three (2012.06)

The study room exuded an air of vintage elegance and class. The room was adorned with dark wooden bookshelves, lined with leather-bound books that seemed to have been carefully curated over the years. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the antique furniture that filled the space.

A large mahogany desk stood at the center of the room, its polished surface reflecting the soft light. On the desk was a brass lamp with an intricately designed base, illuminating the pages of open books. A plush burgundy armchair sat beside the desk, inviting Delly to sit and delve into the world of knowledge.

The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork and framed portraits of literary figures from the past. Delicate lace curtains framed the windows, gently swaying with the breeze. The room exuded an aura of wisdom and sophistication, encouraging Delly to explore the depths of her studies.

Mr. Collins, a distinguished gentleman, sat in a high-backed chair beside a small table, where a cup of steaming tea awaited him. His salt-and-pepper hair and spectacles added to his scholarly appearance. The room resonated with the sound of Mr. Collins' gentle voice as he engaged Delly in thoughtful discussions about virtue, honor, and the lessons found within the pages of the classic books that adorned the shelves.

"Tell me, Delly," Mr. Collins began, flipping to the first page of the story. "What do you think this story might be about? What do you think we will learn from it?"

Delly paused for a moment, thinking deeply. Her forehead scrunched up a little as she considered the question. "Hmm... I think it's about a king who wants to be really, really good at being a king. But he doesn't know how, so he asks people for help. And then, he meets someone who teaches him something super special!"

Mr. Collins nodded, impressed by her thoughtful response. "That's a great guess, Delly. You captured the essence of the story really well. Now, as we read, let's see what lessons the king learns and how they can relate to our own lives."

Delly's eyes sparkled with excitement as Mr. Collins began reading aloud. His voice was like a cozy blanket wrapping around her, bringing the characters and their adventures to life. Delly listened carefully, her imagination dancing with vivid pictures in her head.

As they went through the story, Mr. Collins stopped at certain parts, asking Delly what she thought and how she felt about what was happening. He wanted to hear her ideas and help her understand the story even better.

"Delly, why do you think the king is looking for answers to his questions?" Mr. Collins asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Delly pondered for a moment before answering, "Um, maybe the king wants to be a really, really good king, but he doesn't know how. So, he asks people to help him make good choices and take care of his kingdom."

Mr. Collins nodded, showing that he understood her answer. "That's a great thought, Delly! It shows that the king is responsible and wants to become an even better leader. Now, let's see how the other characters in the story help the king learn and grow."

Delly's little mind soaked up all the things Mr. Collins told her. With each page they turned, she discovered new things and connected them to her own life and experiences.

When they reached the end of the story, Delly looked up at Mr. Collins, her eyes wide with wonder. "Mr. Collins, the hermit taught the king that helping others is important, right? And that listening and being with people is really, really special!"

"Delly, I want to talk about a different way of thinking," he said, looking into her eyes. "You know, sometimes the old ways of being good and having good values can be a little bit harmful."