The Prince was asked to go to the market by the King
To ask quotes from different merchants for a precious ring
Hide his identity, present himself a witless soul
To beg for just price and truth under each merchant’s control

“Take it first to the seller of earthy roots and fruits
The value he’ll say whether treasure or worthless newts
The green hawker looked at the thin round marvel once twice
Thought it less than an old potato, offered no price

Then the spice dealer whose fragrant wares tantalized the nose
Damask rose, the cardamon pod, clove, cumin, all he knows
But ring with no scent, no cooking use, left him obtuse
He offered a pittance, petty remittance, no excuse

Off to the wheat grinder, grain dealer, dusty shopkeeper
Stone on stone sounded a din, crushed the grain of the reaper
The noise and powdery cloud covered the ring by a shroud
One bushel of fine fresh grain was all the payment he vowed

Disheartened, disillusioned, Prince returned to the King
Merchants busy cannot judge a fake from the real thing
Busy making a living, they grade all things by their trade,
Concerned with niggling affairs, snub the true price to be paid

The king said, ” See who knows the value of precious wares
The gold merchant and diamond Jeweler supplies millionaires
He will know the real worth and offer a fair amount
If honest, he will give the exact details of the count”

Alas, we, who are in the mortal frame, weak of firm will
Exploit the trust conferred on us, refine our cheating skill
Enticed by the rogue of undue profit, deign to commit
Misleading and mendacious acts that defraud the wit

With expensive magnifier, scales, training and fine tools
The Jeweler examined the king’s ring adorned with jewels
Eyed the boy more than the ring, to assess risk of a sting
“The best I can do is offer 1000 coins for this ring.”

Taking a calculated chance, hoping the boy was a dumb wit,
Like all sly thieves that bargain their risk on cheating a twit,
Jeweler tendered a pittance as if to deplete his coffer
Of a thousand rude coins, claiming it a generous offer

Dazzled at first by the number of coins, the young Prince
Chose prudence over rash decision, feigned wise ambivalence
Told the crafty Jeweler he would ask his Father’s advice
Took leave and went home to cull counsel, and a new device

Oh, how greed has no boundaries and shares not any mercy
Subjects innocents to lengthy payments and usury
But ignorance is the bane that causes the most pain
With dullness and laziness combine to make our lives vain

The King wanted to teach street wisdom to the callow youth
With foreknowledge, ready to test others, he learned to sleuth
Ignorance and expert deceit is difficult to perceive
When one is untrained, lacks experience, worldly naive

Jeweler, who has knowledge, expertise, and respected
Showed his twisted mind with lust and boundless greed infected
Humanity is shocked, good morality corrupted,
The development of human dignity disrupted

The King was determined to show decency is not amiss
Amongst the humble, poor, simple morality exists
So the Prince searched haphazardly for a modest soul
Found a elderly lady, carrying a sack of coal

“Dear Lady, can I ask your advice about a ring’s price?”
She laid down her sack and smiled while giving him advice
“I, poor woman, alone, forlorn worked hard all my life
I know not ring or price, I’ve had only misery rife.”

Still he showed her the ring for with age comes experience
She weighed it in her hand, marveled and gave a look askance
“Young man, beware carrying such an expensive jeweled ring,
Its weight and splendor is proof that it is fit for a king.”

Beauty is subtle, judged only in truth by a lover
As true love purifies the heart and let’s one discover
The value and beauty inherent in all things alive
For the lover of life will give all to all and ‘ever thrive

The treasure of opulence is in the depths of our heart
An ocean vast and deep, rich passion, a true work of art
Gift this ring to your love, she’ll reveal the true worth thereof
Through boundless affection, faithfulness and eternal love

The Prince was humbled by her deep wisdom and common sense
She had no ruse, no profit, no fault or hint of pretense
She spoke from the heart, enriched by the tested skill of years
In contrast with those who are blind or want to cheat their peers

Real Love expresses the truth whether in old age or youth
Don’t expect less from your lover or more from the other