Encounter with Truth

The  book ‘The Winner Stands Alone’, narrates a story which goes like this. A small country surrounded by snow and  jungle  was ruled by a section of corrupt people whose image in the eyes of their subjects had reached its nadir. To rejuvenate their image, they decided to appoint a new king –a willing common man - for a term of four years.     But after completion of his term as king, he would have to leave the kingdom empty handed into the dense forest covered with deep snow. It was a known fact that anybody going to the forest  could not  survive for more than a few days. (The  corrupt people had thought that no common man would come forward to risk his life).

A  young man- married and having two kids- came forward and offered himself to become  the king. The corrupt people discouraged him saying that he had full life before him and he had young & beautiful wife and two small kids. His wife herself discouraged him but he insisted to be a candidate.  So he was crowned the king.

During his tenure, he took keen interest for  the welfare of his subjects. The kingdom prospered. There was peace and brotherhood everywhere.  Everybody  was so happy to the  extent he had never experienced during their  life time. The king  was loved by everyone.

At the end of his term, when he was leaving –along with his wife and  kids-  he was given a tearful farewell by lacs of people.  (Up to this I liked the story- the young king, his determination, his administration and his concern for  his subjects   After that I became a little sad)

After leaving the kingdom , his wife became sad to realize that  they would die soon in the forest. But he was not perturbed and beckoned his wife to come along. After  walking the whole day, they  reached a hill top and saw  a beautiful township down the hill.  He told his wife “From the very first day of my crowing as king , I realized that corruption  was so deep that it could not be eradicated. So I smuggled the wealth of nation and built  my own kingdom. Now we will rule this kingdom forever. (And I became sad)