Cock-and-Bull

2. A NATION's PLIGHT

"A nation's destiny lies in the hands of its men."

Once there was a state facing an utmost anxiety. Their former king was dead. The pleaders were considering to choose a new king because the old king had not any child. No one was ready to be the king of the state because the state was in danger of foreign invasion. The neighbor country was looking to grab the rich resources of that country. After the conference of several days, one of the pleaders suggested:

"Listen to me. The very first person who would enter the state's main door early in the morning, he would be our king."

All of them agreed upon the suggestion because they were sure that the person would not resist. They began to wait for the morning. In the morning, whole state was waiting to heed the resonance of the huge bell, hanging at the main entrance of the state. A beggar in tattered clothes, carrying an old kind of stringed instrument and reciting some verses of poetry in his sonorous voice entered the main door. As he entered, the bell rang and the royal counselors bucketed along to the main door to welcome their new king. As they reached the main entrance, they were taken aback to see the beggar.

Most of the people rejected the idea of a beggar being a king. But they were bound to it and after a long discussion, they finally accepted the beggar as their king. The beggar was also in predicament. He was startled at being a king from a beggar. He was unable to understand the matter. An old man, to remove the beggar's confusion, came forward and asked:

"Don't be worried. It is a custom here to choose a new king. You are the first person who entered the state's main entrance after the death of our former king. So, now you are our king." explained the old man.

The new king was asked to wear the royal dress and to take charge of the country. When the new king realized his position and the concomitant opulence and veneration, he forgot his former position. He began to live in a sluggish manner. He was not interested in any state affair because he didn't know what were the duties of a king? He was devoid of kingship. In the past, he only knew how to beg the bread. He always used to waste his time in singing, dancing and merrymaking. He became the true follower of Epicure. He was fond of Halwa (a sweet dish). He often ordered to cook Halwa in the royal kitchen.

The time went on and the state was going down day by day. But the king was unable to move. He remained aloof. 'Eat, drink and be merry' became the sole purpose of his life. The royal pleaders, time and again, reminded him about the neighbor country's intentions. According to the report of royal detectives, the neighbor country was planning to invade. One of the pleaders, informed the king but he, once again, ordered to cook Halwa. The pleaders were silent and they were unable to do anything, except of repenting over their decision.

After some days, the royal detectives predicted that the enemies had set out to attack their country. The royal army commander asked to arrange a meeting with the king regarding the foreign invasion. He said:

"My Lord, the enemies are approaching to invade our country. What would be the strategy for our army against them? We must be ready to stop them." briefed the Commander.

"Do what you can do? I don't need any kind of disturbance during my rest." the king responded in a bizarre manner. The Commander returned hopelessly. The neighbor country's armed forces, in the first attack, intruded the southern side of the state. When the king was informed about it, he didn't pay any heed and acted foolishly. He decreed again to cook Halwa. The countrymen were much annoyed over the king's behavior. Everybody was sure to have a crushed future.

The next day, the adversaries occupied the castle which was considered the main shield for the state's safety.

The foemen sent a messenger to the king to abandon the rule; otherwise he would lose his head. The king didn't take any notice of it and ordered to cook Halwa. When the enemy forces realized that the king is not ready to leave, they headed towards the palace and circled it. The king was bustled out of the palace. The Army Commander cut down his head. In this way, the fated nation came to an end due to handing over the charge of their nation in the hands of an unqualified person.

( M.K Aassi )