Power And Pomp

When we are young, our parents often read fairy tales to us. Ignoring the fact that these are violent tales wherein people are killed in many ways (think what happens to the witch in Hansel and Gretel), these tales tell us of princes and kings and princesses and queens. The prince usually rescues the princess (who may not appear to be one but who is eventually revealed), carries her away on his white steed, marries her and they live happily ever after.

Young girls seem to take these to heart and seek their own Prince Charming to whisk her away, usually in their teens. It makes them vulnerable.

Young boys also take these to heart and dream of rescuing some fair princess (who may not seem a princess until some magic reveals this). It makes them vulnerable also.

Maturity means putting these fantasies aside, doesn't it? And accepting the reality that we cannot all be princesses and princes.

And, yet, I think we keep those fantasies and the worst of us seek to make them come true. They seek high office and all the perks and power that come with it.

And these are the people we admire.