THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
The journey of the last month had taken it’s toll on me and the few of my remaining loyal servants. The desert is a formidable barrier that can be a thing of beauty, but it is also an endless sea of sand and suffering. The desert has no compassion and is a harsh judge of who shall live and who shall die. In fact, had word of my father’s illness not reach me, I feel certain that I would have lived in obscurity and peace for the rest of my days by the sea.
My trip back home was long, arduous, and fraught with danger. Indeed, I consider myself lucky to even be alive. Even though I had elected to travel mostly at night to avoid the sun and scorching sands, the trip took its toll on man and beast. The sands and the elements claimed the life of my trusted advisor and mentor as well as most of my servants and animals. Relying on my limited knowledge of astronomy, I lead the small team using the stars as my only guide. I tried to maintain a positive attitude but towards the end of the journey, lost and overcome with thirst and hunger I almost gave up. I had almost lost hope myself but persevered and pushed on. I assured the few loyal servants that were left that I knew where we were and would make it thru. Despite the fact that I had carefully rationed the remaining water and provisions, they were entirely exhausted days before we reached the fertile valleys that told me we were almost home.
I had learned a lot about myself in the last year, and a lot about what it takes to be a leader. During my journey I had much time to think and contemplate my thoughts and actions. My heart burned with confusion, self doubt and hatred. I felt scorned and abandoned. I had been separated from all that I knew and loved.
As a result of my actions and decisions, my own father had banished me from the boarders of his kingdom. I had refused to continue my training and made it known that I would not take on the role as king. I was sent off into the unknown, with only meager provisions and a small contingent of servants. I felt betrayed and angry that my father would punish me in such a manner, but he had to show his strength. I guess in the end I never realized how much my father really loved me.
It had always been my father’s desire that I would one day assume his role and govern our people. As the eldest son, it was to be my honor and my responsibility to assume the crown. It was a task that I had continuously been laboriously prepared for since the day of my birth.
To be the heir to the throne is indeed an honor, but also a daunting responsibility. When I was younger I would sit and dream about what it would be like to be the king. My every waking moment was consumed with lessons, instruction, and preparation to one day rule the land. My father assembled a team of teachers, philosophers, and instructors to aid me in my path.
In my young eyes everyone loved and respected the king. I was purposely secluded from the common people, and even urged to treat them with a certain amount of contempt. As I grew up, I began to see that many people only did not love and respect the king but instead feared and hated the king. They barely survived under the burden of kingdom, and in fact hated life under his rule. My father, although benevolent at times, could be merciless and demanded absolute obedience from his subjects. He could be gracious at times, but his retributions were swift and cruel to those who resisted his commands.
Fortunately my upbringing and training had prepared me for adversity. My new home was paltry compared to the lavish palace where I was raised, but I was comfortable none the less. I had come to terms with the fact that I would have to live out my days in this new and unfamiliar place. Little did I know that my father had sent out soldiers and messengers far and wide to bring me the message of his grave illness. Upon hearing the news, and after a brief moment of indecision, I quickly decided that my place was at his side and informed my servants to prepare for our departure the next morning.
Despite my prayers and hasty return, I did not make it back in time to see my father return to good health. I arrived just in time to hold his hand before he passed and he managed to whisper a few last words to me. I did my best to hold back my tears yet I was taken back by the weak appearance of my father. He was a man known for his size and strength and now he laid before me, a mere shadow of his former self. As I knelt next to him and held his hand, I notice a tiny tear in his eye, something I had never thought he was capable of. The king told me that he never really had a doubt about me, and that I would make a great leader. With his final words, he told me that he was proud of me and that his crown was now mine. I would assume the throne just as he and countless numbers of his fore fathers had done. He was sure that I would be a great leader, and he trusted my judgment. He then squeezed my hand gently and with his last breath he whispered..”Long live the King”, before quietly fading away.
Although it was comforting to be back in the palace again, amongst my friends and family, I was overwhelmed with grief and indecision. It’s hard to believe that in a few brief hours, I will be asked to swear the oath that I once ran from. That night I continued the battle that I had been fighting for the last year in my mind and my soul. Perhaps I had been trying to change the unchangeable. Maybe my fate was already written in the great book of life. Can it be that my inescapable destiny is to wear the crown of the King?
My father often told me that a leader had to be strong and make hard decisions. He always stressed strength and honor above all other attributes. A man without honor is like a rudderless ship, drifting aimlessly with the tides. That night as my father faded away, I struggled with some of the questions that man may ask himself until the end of time. For the first time in my young life I began to feel the full weight of leadership, the awesome responsibility that comes with ultimate power. My actions would help to define not only our kingdom, but myself as a man.
In the space of a few hours before dawn, I had to discern, if it is more honorable to do what is expected of you or to follow what you know to be right in your heart. Is a man’s honor meant to be self serving, to be bent and twisted to accommodate your own actions and desires? In my opinion wealth cannot buy, nor can rank or title instill honor in a man. In the end we are defined by our sense of honor. I asked myself, what is a man worth if he hath no honor?
Courage is the outward display of strength. A man must act and do what is in his heart even if he has fear or uncertainty. We all have fear, but the man with courage can overcome it. Weakness and cowardness were to be avoided at all times.
And what of strength? Does it take more strength to do as you are told or expected to do, or to choose the path of righteousness? Is kindness and compassion a form of strength, or can it only be found at the tip of a spear? Does it not take more courage and discipline to do what is right and righteous? As a leader, are people more likely to follow you because they fear your strength or admire it? I asked myself that night if my people would be better served if I assumed power or to elected to share it. How will the scribes and historians judge me? Do I make history or simply repeat it?
Shortly before dawn I called in my council and made my decision. I had chosen a path that was sure to be unpopular with the wealthy nobles. For the first time in the history of our empire, there would not be a single and undisputed ruler. Today marks the end of the monarchy, not by bloodshed, war, or deceit, as in the past; but by my own decree. I had chosen a council of 12 men to govern, one from each village in the kingdom. I had chosen from the ranks of soldiers, fisherman, merchants, farmers, and shop keepers. I had decided to entrust the care and well being of the kingdom to this group of wise men.
Somehow I think my father would be proud of me. Change is often slow in happening, but sometimes a difficult and necessary thing. I have no way to look into the future, but perhaps this new form of governing will catch on and survive. I only hope that history, God, and my people will agree that I made the right decision.
Filed under: AMERICAN WAY Tagged: | CASTLE, CROWN, KING, PALACE, THRONE
