Stephen the Great (and a joke!)

More about Stephen the Great (and a joke!)

A sentry hurries to Stephen the Great, ruler of Moldavia, and announces, “Your Highness, the Ottomans have invaded the country!” Stephen rises from his throne and asks, “How many soldiers are they bringing?” “Ten thousand, Your Highness!” the sentry replies. “All right,” says Stephen. “Assemble the troops, saddle my horse, and bring me my red shirt!” “Why the red shirt, Your Highness?” the sentry asks. “If I’m wounded, it will hide the blood,” Stephen answers. The soldiers gather and march into battle. They defeat the Ottomans, and Stephen returns to the fortress victorious. Some time later, the sentry rushes in once more. “Your Highness, the Ottomans are invading again!” “How many soldiers do they have?” Stephen asks. “One hundred thousand, Your Highness!” replies the sentry. Stephen thinks for a moment, then says, “Assemble the soldiers, saddle my horse, and bring me my red shirt and brown trousers!”



A close-up vertical medium shot captures a king wearing elaborate golden armor and a crown, sitting atop a white horse, holding a sword up high, and looking away from the camera, leading a large army of knights. The fair-skinned king with long, curly blonde hair and a mustache holds his sword up in his right hand. He wears a red cloak lined with white fur over his ornate golden armor. The white horse is decorated with red and gold leather tack, and its mane flows in the breeze. The king leads his army of knights who are wearing steel armor and helmets with vertical metal bars protecting their faces, and they are holding spears. In the background, there is a large castle on a hill under a cloudy blue sky. Several large red and blue flags fly behind the army, some featuring an image of a bull's head and a crescent moon. The lighting is bright and even, highlighting the details of the king’s armor, the horse, and the army.