Trust

There once was a king who lived in a great castle on top of a hill. The heavens smiled upon him, for his kingdom was bountiful and every year his fortunes grew. He filled his castle with rich tapestries and golden sculptures; his royal self he clothed in robes of velvet. He adorned his queen with precious gemstones and together they dined every night on sumptuous feasts of the plumpest beasts and fowls in the realm.

He was known far and wide as a generous man. "I love my people," he would declare, and to cheering crowds he would announce from a turret of his castle that he would share his wealth with his subjects. For instance, one morning he announced that a fine pheasant would be given to any commoner who entered his courtyard the next day.

That evening, under cover of night, his royal guard built a moat around the castle. There was only one drawbridge, and when the people of his kingdom came the next day, it was drawn. They shouted at the guard and implored him to let it down, for the generous king wished to bestow pheasants upon his people. But it was to no avail: the cruel guard would not be moved.

Another time, the king announced that he would give out a deer to anyone who entered his courtyard the following day, and the citizens—who by now were starving—were greatly heartened. But that evening, under cover of night, his royal guard dug a deep pit around the castle and filled it with sharp spikes. In the morning the citizens could not enter.

Then one day, a vile, treasonous young man riled up the people of the realm. "The king has riches," he cried, "while we are starving! Let us storm the castle at once!"

An angry mob soon swelled the grounds before the castle. They carried such weapons as they could find—hatchets, staves, kitchen knives. They came by the thousands, their weapons clanging, their hoarse shouts roaring, their rage echoing all through the land. And then with a final cry they descended upon the castle.

They got only so far as the castle courtyard before the guards mowed them down. The ground gleamed red with their treacherous blood.

The next day the generous king shook his head with great sadness. "I cannot trust my own citizens," he said. "I loved them and they have betrayed me." As great tears rolled down his weary face, he ordered that his castle guard should be tripled and two new cannons should be installed.