The Grumpy King

Olivia is appearing in her very first school play in December... and she's being very secretive about it. We think her class have been told not to tell us anything in case it spoils the surprise. Tell Olive something is a secret and a secret it will remain.

All we know is it's called 'The Grumpy King'. Obviously I've googled it and, well, not very much actually. It appears to be an old fairy tale because I've found a picture of the Ladybird book and then after sifting through five pages of search results, the following popped up, which claims to have been published in 1972.

'In the old fairy tale, the grumpy king runs a contest to find a jester who can make him laugh. Unsuccessful contestants go to the block. The winner gets a new suit of motley and the next-to-impossible job of making the king laugh again.'

No pressure then - make The King laugh or it's off with your head. If it's not this time, it'll be next time. Can't quite see five-year-olds re-enacting the dragging unsuccessful jesters to the block really. Mini Pops do Hammer House Of Horror anyone?

At tea-time I had a bit of a breakthrough. Seems the parts haven't been handed out yet - despite her telling us she was going to be The Grumpy King - and there's no sign of costumes yet. They have however been practicing songs. Olive claims there's 12... or 11... or [holds up all her fingers] that many.

Can she sing one of the songs I asked hopefully. And she did! HA! Something along the lines of 'Fetch me a coat of green and white, hurry up, don't take all night'. Seems The King sends five 'people' off to get him stuff...

I'm going to the library tomorrow. I really do have too much time on my hands.