The King whose Words Buttered Parsnips
Introduction
"The King Whose Words Buttered Parsnips." Man in the Moon 3 (1848): 259-260. Print.
This short story is written in the same vein as many of Oscar Wilde's works; it is presenting a rather serious and well thought out argument in a playful and light hearted manner. The background behind this story, which is meant to be an "Apologue to Prussia," is that in the year 1848 Prussia experienced an episode known as "March Days" in which the subjects of Prussia marched upon the capital in protest and were promptly mowed down by the soldiers of the King. Three hundred citizens were killed as well as about 30 soldiers. The King of Prussia then placated the people by calling off the troops and seemingly promising many things that would improve their current circumstance. It was a widely held opinion at this time that the King would not make good on his promises and from that belief was born this short piece of fiction. The story line follows almost exactly the happenings of "March Days" and ends with the appeal that one day the people of this unfaithful King will realize what he is up to and run him out of their city. Whether that will ever happen seems to depend upon the intellect of the subjects of the King which, in the story, leave much to be desired.
Transcription
"The King whose Words Buttered Parsnips"
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Now that there was once a King who had a silly people, who believed that fine words did butter parsnips. The King was quite aware of the peculiarity of his subjects; and when they held up their social parsnips to be buttered by political rights, he always made them a fine speech, and told them that he was their father, and that he would give them plenty of butter--some day soon; upon which the foolish people shouted, "God save our worthy King!" and went home and contentedly eat their parsnips dry. Now, this farce was many repeated--so many times, that at length the people, silly as they were, began to get tired of it, and so one day they rose up in right-down earnest to seek real butter for their parsnips. Upon this, the King commanded his cavalry, and his infantry, and his artillery to mow down his dearly beloved children, which they did by thousands; but the people still fighting valiantly, drubbed the troops, and held the city in their possession, and the King in their hands. Out he came with his fine buttering words again, and cried over the dead bodies of those whom he had caused to be slain, and told the people that he loved them better than ever, and that they should have butter with their parsnips the day after to-morrow; and the people, who upon this subject had no more brains in their skulls than there is in the insides of boiled pumpkin, shouted out again "God save our worthy King!" and went home, and once more eat their parsnips dry. Next day the King convened them all. He looked at their bayonets, and knew that his troops were beaten and dispersed, and that the people could kick him out of his palace whenever they thought proper. So he asked them whether he was not a dear good old King, and a loving father, to give them whatever they wanted without the least compulsion, but quite spontaneously? And then he enquired whether they did not think such a capital King would make still a better Emperor? Would it be believed that the donkeys of people shouted "Yes! yes! God save our worthy Emperor!" So the King laughed in his sleeve at the gulls he had to deal with, and made them all manner of promises; kindly consenting to give them, as great favours, things which they could have taken without leave--asked or received. Upon which the people again went home, and again eat their parsnips dry. We are not, however, without great hopes that very soon this foolish people will have its eyes opened to the respectable Humbug who has been deceiving them, and that they will cause him to march out of his kingdom, with every drum in Germany playing the "Rogue's March" at his heels.
Notes
Edited by: Templeman, Coryse: section 1, Winter 2009
