[Ansteorra] Make a Wish tourney

[Elisabeth B. Zakes]

I wish stories like this would include the names of the Knights who gave of
themselves by giving the boy their accoutrements, and of the King who so
rightly declared that the boy was a fighter, even if he didn't do it with a
sword. These people should be remembered as more than anonymous people.

Aethelyan Moondragon
Bryn Gwlad

On Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 00:41, Mahee <mahee_of_acre at yahoo.com> wrote:

> An old but true story that should be remembered especially in this season
> - - - - -
> The original story as was told upon these steps.
>  Long ago in a kingdom on the West Coast, there was a small tourney.
> (This tourney was the first "Make-A-Wish Tourney that I ever
> attended.)
>
> The Foundation had brought a small eight-year-old boy in a wheelchair
> to the event. It was his "heart's desire" that he should be "King for
> a Day." As with all who qualify for this foundation, he was dying. He
> had cancer of the brain and the doctors had given him 2-3 months more
> to live. He was wheelchair-bound, and on medication, but much more
> alert than most expected.His cute brown hair and big eyes seemed to
> eat up everything he saw! The day was beautiful--not overly hot--and
> the skies were clear.
>
> The populace had crafted a crown, a scepter, and a cloak for "His
> Majesty." As we stood and bowed as he was brought down the center
> aisle for Opening Court, the wind picked up and sent the banners
> snapping in the breeze. Two knights attended His Majesty as well as
> his Mother, who walked behind. Her eyes were misty as she watched
> total strangers giving her son his dying wish.
>
> During Opening Court, the combatants for the day came forward and
> pledgedtheir fights to His Majesty's honor. Without prompting, he
> smiled, thanked them, and wished them well. He was so grown up in his
> manners and speech. Everyone's heart caught in their throats. Towards
> the end of the day, "His Majesty's" attendants requested an audience
> with the Knights' Council and the King (ours).
>
>  At the council meeting, one of the knights requested that, as this
> small child had through out the day shown bravery, honor, chivalry,
> and courtesy, he should be knighted by our King for real. This knight
> offered his own belt for the lad, another came forward and offered his
> chain, still another offered his spurs, and finally,the last knight
> who came forward offered his "dagger" to serve as a sword for the new
> knight.
>
>  There was one of the older knights who objected, saying that "they
> couldn't possibly knight this boy, who first was not a member of the
> Society, and who secondly wasn't even a fighter!" But as our King
> pointed out, the child was dying and wouldn't live to grow up to be a
> fighter, but that he had been fighting this disease all of his life
> and had been able to be courteous through it all!
>
> The older knight sat down. Also,the King continued saying, that he
> himself had also watched the lad, and indeed he could attest to his
> bravery, for he never showed any discomfort,to anyone. At closing
> court, His Majesty was knighted! Those attending court cried,those
> knights who gave up their own items cried, and the day ended.
> But this is not the end of the story. Nine or ten months later, his
> Mother came to an event. She wanted first to "thank us" for making her
> son's last days so happy and to let us know that the doctors had
> credited the Society and it's actions with prolonging the child's
> life. She also said that when things got really bad, he never cried
> because he said, "Real knights had to be brave and since he was a real
> knight now, he had to be brave, too."Also, she wanted us to know that
> he died with his belt, chain, and spurs on,holding his sword. She had
> buried him with the sword, belt and chain, but wanted to return the
> spurs to the knight who had donated them.
>
> The knight in question rose and knelt before this lady, [saying] "It
> was an honor, My Lady, to count your son as one of us." He told her,
> "Your son has taught us all the true meaning of bravery. Please keep
> the spurs as a remembrance of him, and the honor he did us all." Many
> years have come and gone since this Make-A-Wish Tourney, but I still
> remember the generosity of the SCA and its ability to touch the
> everyday world. (I hope this qualifies for a positive story. It has
> certainly touched mylife and inspired me. I hope it does you.)
>
>
>
>
>
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