Once upon a time, there lived an earl.<br />Around him, ill feelings seemed to unfurl.<br />He rubbed people the wrong way<br />by being thoughtless every day.<br />He had a habit of being curt.<br />He didn&rsquo;t care whose feelings he hurt.<br />His wife and children had plenty to say.<br />They felt his behaviour was not okay.<br />The earl only cared about himself.<br />He didn&rsquo;t put his pride on the shelf.<br />He believed that he was always right.<br />He held on to this view every night.<br />He always tried to force his will,<br />and that was how things went downhill.<br />Every week he argued with his wife.<br />He felt that she caused him so much strife.<br />Whatever she did, it was always wrong.<br />His disapproval was always strong.<br />&ldquo;Why are you being like this?&rdquo; she would say.<br />&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you be reasonable for just one day?&rdquo;<br />He&rsquo;d look at her and shake his head.<br />&ldquo;Just do as I say,&rdquo; was what he said.<br />She&rsquo;d bite her tongue and let things slide.<br />She didn&rsquo;t want to say something snide.<br />The earl found it hard to understand<br />why she couldn&rsquo;t obey his command.<br />As head of the house he got his way.<br />He always had the final say ...<br /><br />This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of arrogance, overbearingness and stubbornness. It is approximately 850 words.