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published january 12th 2026 contact us match reports (1) match reports (2)
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In the King's court, people were constantly praising the woodsman for the excellence of his stewardship. "What a fine fellow he is," they said. "See how he has taken woodland maintenance to a whole new level."
But such talk did not please the King. It was his forest after all, not the woodsman's. And anyway, the King said to himself, did I not order the woodsman to make my forest the best forest in the world? I'm sure I did. I'm sure I did.
A day later, the King's Messenger called on the woodsman and said, "The King wants to know whether you have made His forest the best forest in the world." The woodsman was puzzled by this strange question, but gave the messenger an honest answer. "Tell the King I couldn't possibly know whether this is the best forest in the world," he said.
The next day the King's Messenger returned to the woodsman's cabin and said, "The King has proclaimed that, in order to make the King's forest the best forest in the world, you, woodsman, will need assistance. The King has decided to provide such assistance by arranging that in future all matters pertaining to forestry shall be the responsibility of the Edu."
The woodsman was stunned. "I must see the King," he said, "for I have many questions," but the King's Messenger said, "There is no longer any need to bother the King. The Edu will provide and facilitate. You should speak to him."
"But how do I get in touch with him?" asked the woodsman.
"Don't concern yourself with that," said the King's Messenger. "The Edu will get in touch with you."
But nothing happened. Days passed, but nothing happened. The woodsman needed a sharper axe, more rope for hauling, a stronger spade for digging, and the money to buy them, but nothing happened. At last, he decided to search out this Edu in the forest.
At length, he found himself in a dark place where the undergrowth was dense and thorny. He heard a rustle, and caught the glimmer of two watching eyes.
"I know you're there," cried the woodsman. "Listen to me. I need a sharper axe, more rope for hauling, a stronger spade for digging, and the money to buy them." He did not know whether he had been heard. He heard another rustle, but that was all.
The next morning he opened his cabin door to find, lying on a carpet of fallen leaves, a penknife, a piece of string, a spoon, and a 20p piece.
"What's all the fuss?" demanded the King.
"It's the woodsman, sire," answered the King's Messenger. "He says he'll be damned if he'll work with that Edu creature. He's awfully mad. What should I do?"
The King pondered a while and then said, "Give him one gold piece and tell him to find another job."
"But who will tend the Forest, sire?" said the King's Messenger.
"Don't you worry about that," said the King. "Woodsmen are two a penny. And anyway, I've already got a replacement in mind. Amusing fellow, he is, from the Antipodes."
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