The Path Across the Board

 

Using the skin

he had received from the giant,

the tailor crafted

a beautiful dress

and presented it to the queen.

The people believed

that he was the hero

who had defeated the giant.

Across the floor

stretched a pattern

like a chessboard,

suggesting that this place

was itself

a game board.

Like a small pawn

that had traveled

all the way to this point,

the tailor quietly

bowed his head,

needle in hand.

But deep within his heart,

he carried the story

of the giant.

It was not so much

a story of victory,

but rather

a single path

left behind

on the board.