A GIFT FIT FOR A
KING OU R S TO RY
A GIFT FIT FOR A KING In a land far, far away the proprietors of the famous Couch Inn find themselves in a pickle when they are unexpectedly chosen to provide a special wedding gift for the King’s daughter. With time short and resources scarce, how can our couple ensure they will live happily ever after?
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there was a wise king whose rule was firm but fair. The benevolence he bestowed upon those that worked hard, obeyed the law and contributed to society was matched in measure by the ferocity with which he would make clear his displeasure when his high expectations were not met. Yet his judgement was always deemed exemplary, and for that reason he reaped the unconditional respect of his subjects, who loved and feared him in equal measure. And there came a day when the King’s beloved daughter, his eldest, was to marry, and his people rejoiced upon such news. Among those subjects were the Rishis - Ash and Katie. No strangers to these lands, they had earned renown as proprietors of The Couch Inn, a friendly and popular oasis of respite from the rigours of daily life. Stories of their warm hospitality and concern for their fellow townsfolk had reached the King, and to the surprise of many he had bestowed upon their inn the Royal Seal of Approval - a most prestigious accolade for such a humble establishment. Thus the Rishis were one of only a few individuals and couples to receive a royal decree just a day after the engagement was announced. The King was eager for his daughter’s wedding to be as special as possible, and he had given instruction to those awarded his seal to contribute.
THE COUCH INN, A FRIENDLY AND POPULAR OASIS OF RESPITE FROM THE RIGOURS OF DAILY LIFE.
71
‘MY LOYAL SUBJECTS; I ASK THAT YOU DEVOTE A SMALL MEASURE OF YOUR TIME IN THE WEEKS HENCEFORTH UNTIL THE DAY OF MY DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE TO CREATE A WEDDING GIFT WORTHY OF SUCH A SACRED DAY.’
The hand’delivered parchment read as follows: ‘My loyal subjects; I ask that you devote a small measure of your time in the weeks henceforth until the day of my daughter’s marriage to create a wedding gift worthy of such a sacred day. ‘Your gift will be presented to us during a reception within the castle grounds, for which the whole kingdom will be party. Your gift must be exceptional and unique, for it should represent all that is special about this joyous occasion. ‘And to those who impress and astound us most with their contribution, know that your skill or creativity or generosity will be rewarded. Your King will gladly offer handsome recompense for more of your gifts to be created and distributed far beyond the borders of our kingdom, honouring my daughter’s marriage and spreading word of this happy union across the whole of the land.’ Ash and Katie looked at each other with not a small amount of concern. For while it was a great honour to be recognised in such a way, what could they possibly offer as a gift that would please the King so? “I shall think upon the matter,” Ash said to his wife. “We both shall,” she replied, “Though I fear we must not ponder indefinitely. Time is not on our side.”
As days went by, rumours began swirling around their Inn concerning the lavish gifts being prepared for the reception. Some folk were even happy to detail their plans in their entirety - helped no doubt by the drinking of some ale. The kingdom’s finest baker, Mr McCain, was designing an impossibly intricate wedding cake that he claimed would take his entire staff to construct. Miss Langley, an artist of much renown, was rumoured to be sculpting figurines of pure gold representing the happy couple in a touching embrace. And there were whisperings that Messer’s Sandler and Hennery, two of the finest tailors in the land, were fashioning the most beguiling dress for the princess that reflected every colour of the rainbow. As word of each new gift reached the Rishis, their collective anxiety grew. “Oh Katie, how can we compete with such extravagance?” said Ash. “I fear that any gift we bestow shall pale by comparison, and the King’s displeasure is a not a thing I wish to garner.” But Katie had an idea. “What we lack in wealth is more than compensated by our rich connection to this community. Between us we know, personally or through mutual acquaintance, almost every single person within this kingdom. Could we not use this to our advantage?”
THERE WERE WHISPERINGS THAT MESSER’S SANDLER AND HENNERY, TWO OF THE FINEST TAILORS IN THE LAND, WERE FASHIONING THE MOST BEGUILING DRESS FOR THE PRINCESS THAT REFLECTED EVERY COLOUR OF THE RAINBOW.
SHE RUMMAGED THROUGH A CHEST OF HER BELONGINGS AND RETRIEVED A WOODEN PLAYTHING A SIMPLE CUP AND BALL.
Long since retired, Mrs Perivale had been the Royal nanny for almost her entire working life. Having practically raised the King’s daughter, in part due to the Queen’s tragic death, there could be few people who would have a more intimate knowledge of the Princess’s hopes, dreams and desires. She welcomed Ash and Katie into her home and took great joy in sharing her recollections of the young princess. “You want to know the things she cherishes most? Well she was a child of such modest tastes; it’s hard to think. She loved games’ to play with toys that challenged and puzzled her. I remember her father took such delight in playing with her too. Ah... this I remember...” She rummaged through a chest of her belongings and retrieved a wooden plaything - a simple cup and ball. “As a small child she was fascinated with this. Found it so difficult, it frustrated her so. She would marvel at her father, the way he could do it with nary a mistake. It beguiled her. They would spend many an hour playing with this simple toy, but they were such happy times together.” Mrs Perivale offered the toy to them. “Take it. It may not be a gift fit for a Princess’s wedding day, but it may inspire you to imagine one that is.” Ash and Katie left her home full of gratitude for the insight she had provided, but they were no closer to deciding what their final gift should be.
The next week, they had the pleasure of meeting John Kessler, a longstanding acquaintance of the man who would be marrying into royalty. For the soon-to-be prince was not of noble blood, but a commoner who had nonetheless stolen the princess’s heart. “The King has always made a point of mixing with his subjects as you know, and his daughters often accompany him on these occasions,” said Mr Kessler. “I was playing my old chum at quoits during such an event, a garden party last year. That was when he and the princess first met. She challenged him to a game and the atmosphere was quite uncanny. It was as if we were witnessing love blossom before our very eyes. Everyone at the party could see it - even the King. “The first time they touched, I believe, was reaching for the same quoit. It was merely the brush of hands, but there was electricity between them. It was quite wonderful. Everyone present on that day felt fortunate to have witnessed it. I even display one of those very quoits in my home to remind me. I insist you take another for yourselves. It may not be a gift fit for a Princess’s wedding day, but it may inspire you to imagine one that is.” Ash and Katie eventually bade a farewell that was full of gratitude, but they were still no closer to deciding what their final gift should be.
“I WAS PLAYING MY OLD CHUM AT QUOITS DURING SUCH AN EVENT - A GARDEN PARTY LAST YEAR. THAT WAS WHEN HE AND THE PRINCESS FIRST MET. SHE CHALLENGED HIM TO A GAME AND THE ATMOSPHERE WAS QUITE UNCANNY. IT WAS AS IF WE WERE WITNESSING LOVE BLOSSOM BEFORE OUR VERY EYES.”
“YOU ASK ME TO SUGGEST FOODS AND RECIPES THAT WOULD APPEAL TO THE ROYAL FAMILY? I HAVE COOKED SO MANY AND OF SUCH VARIETY; AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN GRATEFULLY RECEIVED. I COULD NOT PICK ONE OUT. YET YOU STIR IN ME A MOST WONDERFUL AND TOUCHING MEMORY...”
Just a few days before the wedding and Ash and Katie were fast running out of time. They hoped an appointment with Chef Gastonia would provide the requisite inspiration, as he was often called upon to prepare meals at the Royal castle. “You ask me to suggest foods and recipes that would appeal to the Royal family? I have cooked so many and of such variety; and they have all been gratefully received. I could not pick one out. Yet you stir in me a most wonderful and touching memory. “You see, it was requested that I prepare a meal in celebration of the princess’s engagement - a private dinner for just the closest family. The King and his daughter were taking great pleasure in discussing with me ideas for an appropriate menu, when the princess suggested something quite beautiful. You see her late mother would prepare a simple soup that would comfort her as a child and restore the King’s strength after challenging days. As the Queen had sadly not lived to see her daughter married, it was agreed that this simple dish be prepared in her honour. It was both a sombre and joyful event, and such a touching tribute. “I kept the napkin rings from that meal by way of souvenir. The metal is not precious, but the memory is.” “I must say... recalling this story has been a pleasure. I insist you take one of the napkins rings away with you. It may not be a gift fit for a Princess’s wedding day, but may it inspire you to imagine one that is.”
It was the day of the wedding and time had run out for the Rishis. “What are we going to do?” asked Katie as she and her husband joined the gathering crowds at the wedding reception. “What can we do except tell the truth?” replied Ash. After the triumphant reveal of the newly married couple, one-by-one the invited gift-bearers presented their tributes, and each was more magnificent than the last: A wedding cake composed of 50 tiers; a life-sized sculpture of pure gold; a jewel-encrusted ball gown; lavish displays of excess each trumping the one before. Finally, it was the turn of the Rishis to offer their gift. The crowd, so loud and raucous throughout proceedings, suddenly hushed. As Ash laid the toy, and then the quoit, and then the napkin ring on the gift table, Katie looked around and saw little but embarrassment in the faces of the townsfolk, and concern for what would next transpire. “What manner of gifts are these?” the King intoned solemnly. “Forgive me your highnesses,” said Ash. “I owe you something of an explanation..."
ONE-BY-ONE THE INVITED GIFT’BEARERS PRESENTED THEIR TRIBUTES, AND EACH WAS MORE MAGNIFICENT THAN THE LAST...
83
“NOTHING PRESENTED TO US ON THIS DAY HAS TOUCHED OR PLEASED US MORE THAN THE STORY YOU HAVE TOLD. LOOK ABOUT YOU. DO YOU NOT SEE HOW YOU HAVE AFFECTED EVERYONE SO PROFOUNDLY?”
And then Ash spoke at great length and with great passion regarding his and his wife’s recent encounters and their attempts to discover the perfect wedding day gift. He recalled meeting the nanny that cared for the young princess and spoke of the way the King would play with his little girl with such tenderness and love. He spoke of the day the princess and her husband met, and the sparks of romance between them that none present could deny. And he spoke of the simple family meal that was prepared to celebrate their engagement, and the fond memories shared by all with respect to the late Queen. “But our time was misspent, your highness,” he concluded, “For despite our endeavour, we have not brought with us a gift that you may deem worthy of this very special day.” There was silence in the grounds. Ash and his wife kept their heads bowed awaiting the King’s response, but their penance was disturbed by a sound that seemed to encapsulate both smiles and tears. They looked up to see father and daughter stood from their respective thrones embraced; their cheeks damp yet both beaming with joy. The King turned to Ash and Katie. “You could not be more mistaken,” he said. “For you have bestowed upon me and my daughter the most wonderful gift of all. You have regaled us with a tale filled with such precious memories and such priceless recollections. Nothing presented to us on this day has touched or pleased us more than the story you have told. Look about you. Do you not see how you have affected everyone so profoundly?”
Ash and Katie finally allowed themselves to peer into the crowd and the faces of incredulity were vanished, replaced by expressions of shared empathy, of tearful recognition, and of overwhelming joy. At their King’s behest they began applauding and cheering, grateful for the tale that had so touched their hearts. When the adulation subsided, the King signalled his staff to retrieve the items Ash and Katie had presented. “We will treasure the memorabilia you have brought, but we will treasure the story behind them even more. For it tells the truth of the love I have for my daughter, the love we both held for her mother, and the love she now holds for her husband. It is a story that we shall transcribe and share with the world. And it is a story that I feel will be told for many years to come.� And that is how Ash and Katie came to understand the true power of an engaging story, and how understanding and connecting with your audience can reap the greatest rewards.
THE CROWD BEGAN APPLAUDING AND CHEERING, GRATEFUL FOR THE TALE THAT HAD SO TOUCHED THEIR HEARTS.
Although Ash and Katie have been placed in a fictional story about a grand king and his daughter, the way they work is no fairy tale. Both Ash and Katie have built an agency and an ethos that means everyone at COUCH gets into the detail that is important to you and your brand. Ultimately it is the difference between developing a good brand story and an amazing one.
Published by COUCH. Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Ancoats, Manchester M4 6JG. www.wearecouch.com