He
was falling his life flashing across his eyes as he was pushed from behind. He
turned, the kind face of his friend distorted with malice.
He
fell, memories of his life appearing to him.
He
remembers as a child the only person he could trust was his friend, his dear
dear friend. Everyone else was after his life for his father was the cruel ruler
and he his only heir. The continuous betrayals he faced changed him, twisting
him into his father.
He
trusted no one.
Especially
not his cruel father whom he hated. He recalled the poison he slipped into his
father’s wine too easily and how quickly he was crowned to the depressed
citizens tired of the previous king.
However,
He
proved to be much much worse. Raising the taxes to an unlivable level, killing
any suspected of treason with or with out proof, waging war, changing the laws
for worse, and many more unspeakable acts.
He
fell recalling the more recent memories of his, tears trailing behind him as he
continued from the great height. He thought he could trust his friend after all
he had been through, he should have noticed the unease his friend gave after
killing off his younger sister who argued with him due to his treatment of
their people.
He
was betrayed by the last person he trusted in the world, but he could not be
upset. Nor hold any grudge.
Instead
he smiled reaching his hand to the sky as he made impact with the ground his
crown flying off his head out reached arm falling to the side.
He
reached towards the sky again looking at the tower his friend stood outside
opening is mouth to address the crowed.
‘Thank
you’ he whispered as his world fell dark and he met his peace at last.
“
THE CORRUPT KING IS DEAD REJOICE”
Great story I like the message you employed that power can corrupt. Also how power isn't as great as it seems.
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret! I really enjoyed the way that you started the story in the present, continuing with flashbacks in order to explain the situation that is described in the opening lines of the story. This method of storytelling creates a certain suspense in the reader, an anticipation for the moment when everything described will suddenly make sense. This moment comes later in the story as you show the boy's transformation from innocent to corrupt just as his father before him, bringing him full circle and explaining his predicament at the beginning of the story. You end the story on a very positive note, leaving the former king not bitter from betrayal, but grateful for the peace he was offered. Great Job!
ReplyDeletei like this story alot it has a story behind it too and i really enjoyed it ..i also love a story containing flashbacks with smooth transitioning to the present so great job on that love
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of Macbeth so much, but of course yours is better. The syntax of the story was different and I loved how it was basically kind of reflections back on his own life and then it adds up to the impending present. This definitely felt like a Shakespearean tragedy because the audience knows the main character is headed for disaster. What's funny to me about this character is that he knows that what he is doing is malicious but he believes that everyone else understands. That last line of dialogue definitely has a huge impact on the audience because your story foreshadows his dark future. Great job.
ReplyDelete-Katheryn Valle
P.1
I love how you wrote this story. Especially how you added the flashbacks and the story about his father without just saying “flashbacks” or something vague like that. I also thought it was really interesting to be in the protagonist’s mind and be able to get to see what his perspective and viewpoints about life, power, and relationships are. And although I probably shouldn’t be, I was sad that he killed himself in front of his people and they were rejoicing. But i was kind of just seeing his perspective even though you told that he raised taxes it was still kind of harsh. But anywaaaayyyy great story, I really loved reading it!
ReplyDeleteMariah Rhodes
Period 6
I love this story in general, but what I like the most is how you added the flashbacks into it! It was very well written. great job.
ReplyDelete-ashlyn barnes P6
I enjoyed this piece. It conveyed a good message about how power can corrupt people and how we sometimes think we are doing the right things, but can be doing wrong things. I'm glad at the end, the king realized his mistake.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed how it began about the man falling and then it went from flashback to reality. It showed that power can sometimes mess with people's attitude and behavior towards others and themselves. This was a really good story would love to read more from you!
ReplyDeleteI like the way this piece is uniquely structured to match the same situation of falling that the man is experiencing. I also like how the diction makes seems almost rushed, as the mans thoughts are as he fell. I found it interesting to see what the corrupt king had done that had led to this, and the whispered than you at the end. Great job Margaret!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the flashbacks in the story and I enjoyed reading it because it was a love story. Well written and detailed. Keep up the work!
ReplyDelete- Vymian San p.2
Hey Margaret! I really think it's interesting, firstly, how you structured your piece. The format you used utilized a lot of line breaks which I think really helped emphasize the anticipation the reader is supposed to be feeling. I think it's also nice how you developed the characterization of the king by initially describing his own disgust by his father, to his disgust by himself. It acts as sort of a subtle plot twist. I think the part that really made me speculate, though, was the ending when he thanked his friend. It made me and I'm sure others too question whether the friend really betrayed the king or was really honestly trying to do him a favor and help him end his tyranny. Good job.
ReplyDeleteDang Margaret, that was such an amazing short piece. I honestly wish the story was longer to get more detail. As I was reading this I could almost picture this as a movie. I loved all the imagery and the finale. I thought this was an amazing piece!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job!
Elisabeth Domond
Period 5
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletegreat story. I wish the story was kind of longer so I can get more detail in the short piece. really good piece overall.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story! It had a very interesting concept and I liked your use of flashbacks. It really brings out the relationship the main character had with his father and with his friend. Also I liked the ending. It really closes the story very well. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis story was great. The use of bringing past and present together in the concept of the story really showed how the characters were connected. It showed overall that power drives people crazy in a way.
ReplyDeleteThe story was really great and i enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteXavier Delgado
P.2
Amazing Margaret! I enjoyed reading this especially as my eyes followed the structure of this piece. I liked how you kept repeating the event of him falling. In his time in the air you include background of the King's father, friend, and his sister. Great message of tyranny and selfish desire for power. Overall, awesome job!
ReplyDeleteVery good story. The details about how the man fell because of the poison. Good story.
ReplyDeletePeriod 6
Luis Toro
I found this story to be very interesting, especially by how the story is told. Very well written
ReplyDeleteI would never have expected that thanks from a dying man to his killer. However, in these circumstances it was very appropriate. You did a very nice job of creating so much character development in such a short amount of time. The cycle of tyranny he tried to defeat consumed him in the end. Now will the King's killer be the one to usurp the position of king and tyrant? I would love to know. Well done on this piece.
ReplyDeleteI like how your story begins with the end. IT kinda reminds me of Harry Potter (I open at the close.) Anyway, I like how you contrasted the speaker's goals with the actual outcome of the event. It created an ironic twist at the end of your story.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story!!! You carried an amazing structure throughout the entire short story, that though simple was very powerful. You showed by the simple structure and tone the casual way man falls into their natural state. But I do love how you ended the story with the friend putting an end to the kings reign because it shows the power in friendship.
ReplyDeleteEva Badal
Period 1
I loved reading this, the time era, the structure, the progression of the king's mentality. Such a great story. I love how we get a brief history of the king's father and see the parallel nature of the new king, it makes me wander was the power corrupting him? how did he get like this? and the end was great. How the king was finally at peace.
ReplyDeleteHey Margaret!
ReplyDeleteYour story actually reminded me a lot of Hamlet. Maybe it's the betrayal aspect, or perhaps just the darkened content. Either way, your work left me with such an ominous feeling I hardly know what to think. I love how much you were able to say, even with such little detail. It was direct, and sent a clear message without sacrificing the overall impact on the audience. The betrayal of the friend broke my heart, and it proved that when one has lived a life altered by wickedness, they will never find compassion in the good. This was a little depressing, but effective nevertheless.
Congrats on such an inspiring piece! :)
This actually reminds me a lot of Prince Arthur and his father king in the tv show called Merlin. This story was very well told with a strangely heart warming end. It's funny because I really hope the townspeople heard him when he said "Thank you". If they didn't I'd be very upset that they he left the earth misunderstood. You can tell it was a good story when I start thinking this way about the characters. Thanks for the read.
ReplyDeleteI found this piece a bit interesting the way you incorporated the flashbacks , and the way you gave the story a kind of mid evil theme. felt like I was ready something from Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteYour piece basically summarized all Shakespearean tragedies. It was nice that you set it up to be a reflection of his own life. And that reflection totally worked with the whole "life flashes before your eyes" vibe you were going for. Also it leaves a little mystery for the readers because we wonder what between the gaps of his memories. It was a very intriguing piece.
ReplyDeleteI found this was an interesting piece. I like how you start with the kings death draw back into his past to what leads to that moment. I like how you went into detail with the full sensation of emotions the corrupt king felt ad he died. I also like the specific points you made of his cruelty and explain what cam of the child raised by the corrupt king before him his father. I really enjoyed reading your story and like the message on how power can corrupt.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great piece! I love how you use diction to reflect on how power can corrupt you and how much consequence it brings. You set up emotions I wasn't ready for, and that's a good thing!. Your piece is awesome! Good Job!
ReplyDeleteI found this was an interesting piece. I like how you start with the kings death draw back into his past to what leads to that moment. I like how you went into detail with the full sensation of emotions the corrupt king felt ad he died. I also like the specific points you made of his cruelty and explain what cam of the child raised by the corrupt king before him his father. I really enjoyed reading your story and like the message on how power can corrupt.
ReplyDeleteNice settings and times when he was remembering the past and taking his own life. if he did take his own life.
ReplyDelete-Isaac Garcia
per 6
I really enjoyed this new take on a Shakespearean tragedy. Unlike most of Shakespeare's work, it wasn't all tragic. Your king, although having been described as evil in actions, truly feels bad for his actions and finds peace in death, whereas Shakespearean characters tend to find no peace in death (especially when they come back as ghosts). This piece was well written and challenged the stereotypical antagonist.
ReplyDeleteThis a great read about corruption of power and greed. I felt a connection to Hamlet and your use of flashbacks really made the story seem fresh. I was entranced until the end, great job Margaret!
ReplyDeleteTedman Nguyen
Period : 1
Nice Job! I really enjoyed your use of flashbacks and how you were very descriptive in explaining how the king was corrupt and what the son had to do about it. I really enjoyed reading it!.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Anastasi
P. 5
This was a great insight about corruption and greed. I also enjoyed how the king was not mad about his son's betrayal. I do believe that the son had to do it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story. Well done! I really loved the overall plot and unique tone you conveyed through your writing!
ReplyDelete-Andrew Trinidad
Period1
I enjoyed your story. Well done! I really loved the overall plot and unique tone you conveyed through your writing!
ReplyDelete-Andrew Trinidad
Period1
I especially enjoyed the structure of your piece it was very unique in comparison with the structure of most other works on here. Your story was short and concise. I feel as though your piece is told in blank verse as each line holds a lot of meaning yeT few words. I especially enjoyed the way in which you decided to end the piece in all capital letters saying the corrupt King is dead rejoice it offered a strong contrast to the rest of The piece. I really enjoyed reading your bonus material and I hope that you continue to write more in the future.
ReplyDeleteAdan Chavez Per. 4
I really enjoyed this piece, great job with the detail! keep it up :)
ReplyDeletegreat work loved the detail!
ReplyDeletegreat work loved the detail!
ReplyDeleteWow Maraget, I've always known you to be creative. I loved the plot of your story, it's very telling of who you are. Your structure is provided to be very unique, and I love the concepts. Great work overall. -Thuy Cao
ReplyDeleteWow! This piece was great from beginning to end. I loved how you utilized flashbacks into your story it made it even better. The structure of your piece was very unique and it made your audience even more intrigued. Overall GREAT piece keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteLeah Hernandez
period 4
Dang, I really love the insight this piece gives of the corrupt monarchies that have been in the world and also how it explores the evil side of human nature. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteJacob Valdez
Period 4
Wow! Incredible; this story really pumped me up, it was phenomenally executed; the way the son hated the his father and his way of kingship contrasting to his own method of ruling (which was way crueler and less forgiving) really brought character and excitement to his story. And the small little twist and sense of betrayal in both sides of the story, the son and the friend, made it more awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow this story was very well written, I really enjoyed how much detail there was of the corrupted king's character. I love the amount of imagery that you use throughout the piece, really good job.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this piece! My favorite part was that the king was not angry. He understood that he was a terrible king and all of things he did where extremely selfish and not for the people. This sounded like it could have been a commercial for and upcoming historical movie. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteNehemiah Barnett
Period 4
This is an amazing story. I especially love how people are in monarchies; stuck in the boundaries of their world. The imagery provides how the bad people can rule over others and gives a sense of betrayal. Great Job.
ReplyDeleteGood job
ReplyDeleteGood job !! It was a really unique story!!!
ReplyDeleteImalla Ramirez
Period 6
Marian Hollinquest
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
This is a great story of death and reconciliation
Good Job!
Nice story i liked how u went into detail with this piece
ReplyDeletekeep writing!!!
Oscar Rodriguez
Period 6
I really liked this story. A lot of people become corrupt when they have a lot of power, like the two kings in this story. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteAnthony Chao
Period 6
Margaret, awesome piece! I absolutely loved the organization of the piece and how it started in the middle of the action and then slowly recounted the memories of the protagonist one by one. The way it was structured shifted the tone from sadness for the main character to justification once the reader realizes all his wrongdoings as a king. In such a short amount of time, you managed to create such an interesting story filled with multiple angles. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIsabelle Huynh
Per.1
The story was amazing. I liked how you used the king childhood memories. This just shows how much this it is important that your parents show good characteristics. Keep on the good work.
ReplyDelete-Jordan Do
period 1