The Arrogant Earl (a short story)

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

This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of arrogance, overbearingness and stubbornness. It is approximately 850 words.