Once there was a king who had to die. He was a very powerful king, but he was deathly ill and despaired:
- Is it possible that such a powerful king must die? What are my wizards doing? Why aren't they saving me?
But the wizards had fled for fear of losing their heads. Only one was left, an old wizard whom no one paid attention to because he was rather eccentric and perhaps a bit crazy. The king hadn't consulted him in many years, but this time he summoned him.
- You can save yourself, - said the wizard, - but on one condition: that you give up your throne for one day to the man who resembles you more than anyone else. He, then, will die in your place.
Immediately, a proclamation was made throughout the kingdom: - Those who resemble the king are to present themselves at Court within twenty-four hours, under penalty of death.
Many came forward: some had a beard just like the king's, but their noses were a bit longer or shorter, and the wizard dismissed them; others resembled the king as much as one orange resembles another in the greengrocer's box, but the wizard dismissed them because they were missing a tooth or had a mole on their back.
- But you’re dismissing them all, - protested the king to his wizard. - Let me try with one of them, to start.
- It won't do you any good, - the wizard replied.
One evening, the king and his wizard were walking on the city's ramparts, and suddenly the wizard shouted: - There, there’s the man who resembles you more than anyone else!
And saying this, he pointed to a hunchbacked, half-blind beggar, dirty and covered in sores.
- But how is that possible, - protested the king, - there’s an abyss between us.
- A king who must die, - insisted the wizard, - resembles only the poorest, the most miserable in the city. Hurry, change your clothes with his for a day, put him on the throne, and you will be saved.
But the king absolutely refused to admit he resembled the beggar. He returned to the palace sulking, and that very evening he died, crown on his head and scepter in hand.
Gianni Rodari, Favole al telefono
- Is it possible that such a powerful king must die? What are my wizards doing? Why aren't they saving me?
But the wizards had fled for fear of losing their heads. Only one was left, an old wizard whom no one paid attention to because he was rather eccentric and perhaps a bit crazy. The king hadn't consulted him in many years, but this time he summoned him.
- You can save yourself, - said the wizard, - but on one condition: that you give up your throne for one day to the man who resembles you more than anyone else. He, then, will die in your place.
Immediately, a proclamation was made throughout the kingdom: - Those who resemble the king are to present themselves at Court within twenty-four hours, under penalty of death.
Many came forward: some had a beard just like the king's, but their noses were a bit longer or shorter, and the wizard dismissed them; others resembled the king as much as one orange resembles another in the greengrocer's box, but the wizard dismissed them because they were missing a tooth or had a mole on their back.
- But you’re dismissing them all, - protested the king to his wizard. - Let me try with one of them, to start.
- It won't do you any good, - the wizard replied.
One evening, the king and his wizard were walking on the city's ramparts, and suddenly the wizard shouted: - There, there’s the man who resembles you more than anyone else!
And saying this, he pointed to a hunchbacked, half-blind beggar, dirty and covered in sores.
- But how is that possible, - protested the king, - there’s an abyss between us.
- A king who must die, - insisted the wizard, - resembles only the poorest, the most miserable in the city. Hurry, change your clothes with his for a day, put him on the throne, and you will be saved.
But the king absolutely refused to admit he resembled the beggar. He returned to the palace sulking, and that very evening he died, crown on his head and scepter in hand.
Gianni Rodari, Favole al telefono
dado
16 oct 21
DeRank ™: 7,04
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