Once upon a time, a king ruled over a glorious kingdom. The farms of the valley flourished with bountiful crops and fattened livestock. The mountains burst forth with iron and gold filling the king’s coffers while skilled smiths turned the iron into shields and swords for his army.

But the king was greedy and selfish. The citizens didn’t benefit from the bounty. Taxes kept them from thriving and they grew tired of the king’s constant wars.

The king’s 50th birthday arrived and he planned a great party to be celebrated nationwide. He demanded gifts that would reflect his own greatness and the bounty of the country he was slowly decimating. All the lords would gather and present him with unique and valuable gifts worthy of a leader as visionary and powerful as himself.

On the day of the celebration, the lords of the kingdom gathered outside the gates of the castle, ready to fete their tyrant leader. Musicians played, entertaining the common folk in the castle courtyard and in the main hall the king had arranged an elegant feast, surrounded by his family, military leaders and most trusted advisors.

The lords brought chests filled with gold, rare spices, silks and animal skins. Some brought talented chefs and craftsmen to the king, giving them to his service. Beautiful women were brought to dance for him and songs from the country’s most talented musicians filled the air.

None of it pleased the king.

“I have all these things,” he yelled at the gathered throng. “You have brought me nothing unique, you have not taken my breath away.”

The hall grew quiet as the king’s words hung in the air.

“Is there not one person who can give me a gift that will match my glory?” The king bellowed as the lords stood in silence.

“Begging your pardon, your highness,” a small voice creaked from the back of the hall. An old man dressed in rags stepped forward as the crowd parted. “I have lived long and have seen all you have done for the kingdom. I am no lord, but it would be my honor to give you a gift worthy of your accomplishments.”

“You?” The king laughed. “What can you give me that I don’t already have?”

“Your highness, I am a humble man, but I am a great builder. Please allow me to build you a playground of delights! I will fill it with sights, sounds, smells and tastes that will be beyond anything you have ever experienced and only you shall have the key. I only ask for one week.”

“Beyond anything I’ve experienced?” The king’s eyes narrowed. “You have a week, but if my expectations aren’t met, I will claim your life as my gift.”

Over the next week, the king watched as the man and his crew began construction on the playground. A cylindrical tower gradually took shape. Large windows were filled with mosaics made of colored glass. Even if the inside didn’t meet his expectations, the king thought, the outside was a stunning piece of architecture.

On the last day, the king, his court, and lords met the old man at the tower. A golden padlock sealed the door and the man handed the king a gleaming, golden key.

“This is the only key that will unlock your playground, your majesty.”

“Well, you certainly have built something magnificent,” the king said as he took the key. “Hopefully the inside lives up to expectations.”

“The delights inside, sir, will take your breath away,” the old man said as he smiled.

The king slid the key into the lock and clicked it open, then handed the lock to the man as he opened the door. Inside a stairwell led up into the tower. The old man motioned for the king to follow him up the stairs.

The smell of flowers filled the air as they neared the top of the stairs. Flowers bloomed in garden beds on open balconies with grape and honeysuckle vines climbing the outer walls. A marble fountain featuring a statue of the king dominated the center of the room.

“Impressive…”

“This is just the start, your highness,” the old man said. “Upward!”

On the second level the old man had provided the king with a library.

“All the knowledge of the world’s wisest men, your highness.”

The king glanced at a nearby shelf and traced his fingers along leatherbound books with gold lettering on the spines. The books weren’t from his own collection, the old man must have paid a fortune for them.

“Your advisors have been told to stay diligent on updating your library with new volumes both educational and fanciful.”

“This is truly a magnificent collection. And while it is unique, it doesn’t necessarily…”

“... take your breath away, sir?” The old man smiled. “Let me follow you to the top of the tower for the true wonder of this playground. The pleasures of the flesh.”

The king smiled back at the man and headed up the stairs.

“Wait,” the old man said as they reached the door. He took out a strip of cloth and tied it around the king’s eyes. “I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

As the king stepped through the door, he took off his blindfold. The room was empty, cold and the only windowless room in the tower. He heard the door close and lock behind him. The room was dark and the air was thick. The king struggled to breathe as sweat started to soak his clothes.

“What…what is the meaning of this?”

“Your highness, you wanted a gift that would take your breath away,” the old man said, barely audible in the sealed room. “The only gift for a man who has everything… nothing.”

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