THE TWO GEMS
A DESPOT in the East once said to his
fawning courtiers, "He that goes round
my kingdom in the shortest possible time
shall have one of these two gems."
A courtier went round the king, and
said, "Sire, may I have the prize?"
"How so?" said the king.
"Why, you are the kingdom, are you
not?" said the courtier.
The despot was so well pleased with the
courtier that he gave him both the gems.
The other courtiers said, in a whisper,
"Flatterers prey upon fools."
|