The Yellow Brick Road
a Tiny Kingdom story about two princes, one yellow road and a possible Wizard
It was a cold day by the sea, but that had never stopped the royal family from going there.
Autumn and winter were their favourite seasons for the beach. Outside the summer months the dogs were allowed to run free, which meant there were always new friends to meet, fresh tracks to inspect and far too many interesting smells to waste time walking politely.
The moment Donder and Dingus saw the sea, they were off.
They ran like excited children, straight towards the water, deaf to almost everything behind them. In Donder’s case, increasingly so in the literal sense. Dingus, however, heard the Queen perfectly well and simply had other priorities.
“Not so fast!”
The two princes carried on.
There were dogs ahead.
There was sea air.
And then there was the road.
A new yellow path stretched in front of them, bright against the winter landscape.
The Queen looked at the King and smiled.
“Well, I suppose we’re off to see the Wizard.”
Donder and Dingus needed no further encouragement.
They set off along the yellow brick road side by side, pausing only when a particularly promising smell demanded investigation or another dog appeared who clearly needed to be introduced to the royal family.
The Queen called after them again.
Donder continued as if nothing had happened.
Dingus looked back just long enough to confirm that he had, in fact, heard her.
Then he carried on after his brother.
The King laughed.
“That one heard you.”
“I know.”
A little farther ahead, Donder glanced at Dingus. Dingus glanced back at him, and a moment later the two of them broke into another run.
The Queen laughed and hurried after them, with the King beside her.