The First Parable of Rule

A weary traveler came to the gates of the city. He was met by a deputation of the leading citizens of the town. The spokesman for the deputation stepped forward, and after complimenting the traveler on his fortitude and courage in traveling, and extolling the city to which the traveler had come, asked the traveler if the traveler had ever desired to be a king.

“Certainly,” the traveler replied.

“Fortunate traveler, we are looking for a king,” the spokesman said. The rest of the deputation nodded. “You are very blessed indeed! Let us feast you and show you the delights of our city and then you can accept our generous offer of kingship.”

The traveler shook his head. “Indeed,” the traveler said, “I would be unworthy of the sagacity a king must have if I considered such an offer without making further inquiries. I wish to know why none of you will take the royal office yourselves?”

The spokesman shook his head sadly. “It is our law,” he said, “that all those the king condemms to death, he must execute himself. And all those whom you spare, you must take into your own household and bear the risk that they will burst out in violence or crime again.”

“It is a wise law!” another member of the deputation interjected. The others agreed.

“But because of the wise law, no one here is willing to be the king?” the traveler asked. The spokesman sadly agreed.

The traveler laughed. “It is you who are blessed. For I am a whole man. What I decide, I decide, and I do not shun the consequences of what I have decided. I am very willing to be your king.”

Tomorrow: the 2nd Parable of Rule.