The Tale Of The Good Knight

by S A Rudy -- as transcribed by T P Coleman

Once Upon A Time, there was a knight who was named Mimi. She was a Good Knight. In fact, that's what people called her, the Good Knight Mimi. She was brave of heart, strong of character, and fierce in battle. She upheld the just and punished the wicked. The King recognized her as his best Knight.

After a long hard campaign, the people were out in the streets to welcome the Good Knight Mimi home. They were pleased with her victory in combat. As she passed through the gates of the Kingdom, the people shouted, "Hurrah for the Good Knight Mimi!" Well, the Good Knight Mimi thought they were saying, "Good Night, Mimi." Being a bit literal-minded, she fell asleep, and fell off her horse.

The people lifted her up, having thought she was jumping down to greet them, and carried her cheering to the King. The King was so pleased, he offered her some land as a reward, and asked her to represent him in the upcoming Joust. The Good Knight Mimi, having woken up at this point, said that it would be a honor to fight for the King.

A week had passed and it was time for the joust. Nobles from many Kingdoms had come to this Battlefield to watch their knights fight. Wagers were placed, and honor was at stake. The Good Knight Mimi won her first two jousts easily, and had qualified for the final joust against the Black Knight, who, being a villain, was not especially popular.

All the people gathered for this final Joust. As she spurred her horse into action, keeping her lance perfectly steady, the people of the Kingdom shouted, "Booo! to the villainous Black Knight!" and "Yaaay! for Good Knight Mimi!" But when Mimi heard this, she fell asleep on her horse. The lance dropped, and she fell before reaching the Black Knight. The Black Knight was declared Champion.

The King was outraged at such a humiliating loss. He fled quickly to his palace, and ordered Mimi brought before him. "Good Knight Mimi," the King cried, "How could you fall asleep at such a crucial moment!" Mimi, of course, was already fast asleep. The King, outraged at her insolence, decreed, "For failing so horribly and falling asleep while I was speaking to you, I hereby sentence you to death. Say your prayers tonight, Good Knight Mimi. May God forgive you."

So that night, Mimi quietly said her prayers. Dawn came, and the people of the realm got right out of bed and went to see the execution of the Good Knight Mimi. As the Good Knight Mimi was brought to the block, the King said, "Do you have any last words?" The Good Knight Mimi looked up to the Heavens, and as if the Divine had spoken said in very calm words, "I've always tried to be a Good Knight."

The King and the townspeople, upon hearing those words, thought that the Good Knight Mimi was wishing them a peaceful slumber. Having just gotten out of bed, they all went to sleep. The Good Knight Mimi fled to France, where Knights were called Chavaliers, and the Good Chavalier Mimi lived happily ever after.

GOOD KNIGHT