[ WP ] A king is blessed with triplets . Rather than choose one as his heir , he separates the trio and sends each to a secluded island with a small retinue , to see which will grow up to be the most deserving of the throne .

Listen now, good fellows, 
 
 To a tale once told to me, 
 
 Of how a mean King was undone, 
 
 By his own tyranny. 
 
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 He stole the throne through murder - 
 
 Such cunning treachery 
 
 To pour poison in your brother ’ s cup 
 
 While swearing fealty. 
 
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 He took a wife to breed an heir, 
 
 And preserve his legacy. 
 
 She died in her first labor, 
 
 For she had carried three. 
 
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 The triplets lived their first ten years 
 
 In happy harmony. 
 
 But soon the King decided 
 
 To end their fraternity. 
 
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 `` Which one of you will be a man 
 
 Of iron fist, like me? 
 
 To prove your worth you'll live apart. 
 
 In fifteen years, we'll see.'' 
 
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 So the triplets each were sent, 
 
 To isles across the sea, 
 
 But not once did they forget 
 
 A secret childhood memory. 
 
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 And, there was a gift in exile: 
 
 It was that they were free 
 
 To grow up fair and pure of heart 
 
 Away from royalty. 
 
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 As young men they did return, 
 
 Without pomp or pageantry. 
 
 They answered to their summons 
 
 With simple dignity. 
 
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 “ Now, ” said their Kingly father 
 
 We ’ ll solve this quandary. 
 
 I ’ ll have you all duel to the death. 
 
 Who will take this throne from me? ” 
 
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 The brothers laughed aplenty, 
 
 And though forced upon their knees 
 
 To his request they would not yield 
 
 For they knew loyalty. 
 
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 `` No,'' said the first triplet 
 
 `` I ’ ll wear no crown of cruelty. 
 
 For this is why you have the hate 
 
 Of all your peasantry.'' 
 
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 `` No,'' agreed the second 
 
 `` I ’ ll not rule with brutality. 
 
 For this is why you have the scorn 
 
 Of your own judiciary.'' 
 
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 `` No,'' confirmed the third, 
 
 `` You may keep your villainy. 
 
 It ’ s this that lost you the respect 
 
 Of your whole infantry.'' 
 
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 With that the hall was stormed 
 
 By soldiers crying “ Liberty! ” 
 
 The King was thrown in prison 
 
 And stripped of sovereignty. 
 
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 For the night before they ’ d parted, 
 
 The triplets met beneath a tree, 
 
 And swore to stand together always, 
 
 And set their people free. 
 
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 So, the brothers brought rebellion 
 
 Against the monarchy. 
 
 And now they lead together 
 
 In joint equality. 
 
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 * ( Note: I apologize that I have written a painfully self indulgent piece of doggerel. I could n't help it. The prompt contained two of my pet peeves/hates - manipulative asshole parents who fuck with their children and are self righteous enough to think that it's for a good reason, and the perpetration of monarchial rule. ) *
