The judgement crackers. They would decide the Prince's fate. Genie could not harm anyone, even someone like the Prince. The crackers were a delicacy from Genie's home. They saw into the heart of whoever ate them. If they were a good soul, they would be blessed with their heart's desire. If they were bad, they would be punished justly. Disguised as a peasant, Genie made his way to the castle.
***
There on his throne sat Prince Muldajak. He was a young man, about twenty or so, but he ruled his kingdom harshly. He took the peasant's food. Crushed homes to create grazing land for his horses. He was famous for his temper tantrums. There was a knock on his door.
"What do you want?!"
"Excuse me Prince Muldajak," said the genie, "but I have come to offer my tribute."
The Prince snatched the basket of crackers and devoured them greedily.
"Pardon me Prince Muldajak, but there was another reason I came to your palace. The taxes that my family must pay..."
"Let me guess. You can't make the payment?"
"I'm afraid so your highness."
"I have no tolerance for debters."
"But please hear me, my...father died today. We had to give his last earnings to the church."
"Your father should have taken better care of himself."
Genie fought the urge to send this hateful little monster to the tarpits, but he could not hold his tongue.
"My father would not be dead if you had not taxed him to poverty! Your subjects are starving and dying because you think you deserve a palace and stables full of horses!"
"How dare you talk to me that way! GUARDS!"
Genie was surrounded. He could have turned them all into rocks, but they were just as much slaves to the Prince as the peasants were.
"You would do well to think of others before it is too late!" shouted Genie. The Prince looked almost stunned.
"You threaten ME?! I AM THE PRINCE! HOW DARE YOU!" Prince leapt up and down like a child. It's hard to believe he was over twenty.
"You're nothing but a selfish, hateful..."
"QUIET! I AM THE PRINCE! I DON'T LISTEN TO YOU!"
"You're not a prince. And you're end is at hand."
"GUARDS! KILL THAT MAN!"
The Guards dragged Genie away to be executed. Suddenly all fell silent. All eyes were on Prince Muldajak. He looked puzzeled.
"What are you staring at? I ordered you to kill him!" But Prince Muldajak's words went unnoticed. He was changing.