The Sword of Duty

The Sword of Duty

BY:Khan

Once upon a time in Italy, there lived a king who ruled over a vast kingdom. Although he was powerful and wealthy, his people did not like him much. They thought he was proud and distant. Still, there were some who never missed a chance to praise him—especially one of his ministers, a master flatterer.

This minister spent his days and nights singing false praises of the king’s wisdom, justice, and kindness. Whenever he got the chance, he would say, “Your Majesty’s rule is the best in the world! People are blessed to live under your just and noble leadership.”

The king, however, had a rule. He had ordered all his ministers to keep him informed about the true condition of his subjects—who was happy, who was suffering, and what people really thought of their king. “Tell me the truth,” the king would say. “Only then can I serve my people well.”

But whenever the king asked, the flattering minister would respond instantly, “Your Majesty, everyone in your kingdom lives in comfort and peace. Who could ever be unhappy under your rule?” The other ministers remained silent, but this one always filled the court with empty words of praise.

Over time, the king began to grow suspicious. He wondered, Perhaps this minister is not being honest. Maybe he hides the truth from me with his flattery. The king realized that if he continued to believe such lies, he might remain ignorant of his people’s real suffering.

So, one day, the king decided to test the minister.

At first, he tried to teach him gently. “My friend,” said the king, “there is no kingdom in the world where everyone is happy with their ruler. And no king is perfect—sometimes even a just ruler can make mistakes that hurt someone. You must always tell me the truth about my people, even if it displeases me.”

But the minister, blinded by his habit of flattery, continued to shower the king with false compliments.

Finally, the king said, “Since you are so loyal and faithful, I want to reward you. Tomorrow, I will make you king for one day. You will sit on my throne and rule the kingdom as you wish.”

The minister could hardly believe his ears. His eyes sparkled with joy. “A day of kingship!” he thought. “What a great reward!”

The next morning, the royal court was filled with noblemen, ministers, and important guests. The real king placed his own crown on the minister’s head and seated him on the grand golden throne. “Today,” the king announced, “I am no longer your ruler. This man is your king for one day.”

The hall echoed with cheers. Musicians played, servants brought rich food and drink, and the one-day king began giving orders proudly. He felt like the most powerful man in the world.

But then, something strange happened. As the minister looked up, his face suddenly turned pale. His body trembled with fear. Above the throne, hanging directly over his head, was a sharp, gleaming sword. It dangled by a single, thin thread—so fine it looked like a strand of hair.

The real king, sitting quietly nearby, noticed his fear and smiled slightly.

The minister could not take his eyes off the sword. The thought of it falling made his heart pound. What if the thread broke? What if the sword dropped on him? He tried to sit straight and calm, but his hands shook, and his voice faltered whenever he spoke. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he turned to the real king and said in a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, please remove this sword from above my head!”

The king replied calmly, “That is not possible. This sword is known as The Sword of Duty. It always hangs above the head of every ruler. As long as a king remains honest and just, this sword protects him. But the moment he neglects his duty or rules unfairly, it falls—and destroys him.”

The minister’s heart sank. All his dreams of enjoying his short reign vanished. Moments ago, he had planned to pass orders that would benefit his family and friends, to grant them wealth and power. But now, he was frozen in fear. What if any of my decisions are unjust? he thought. What if the sword falls?

Seeing his distress, the real king said gently, “Now do you understand what it means to be a king? The throne may look comfortable, but it carries a burden heavier than gold. Every decision affects thousands of lives. Every injustice brings danger closer. The crown is not a toy—it is a responsibility.”

The minister bowed his head in shame. “Forgive me, Your Majesty,” he said. “I never understood the weight of a ruler’s duty. I thought being king meant comfort and luxury, but now I see it is a life of constant watchfulness and responsibility.”

The king nodded. “Flatterers do not serve their rulers or their people. By hiding the truth, they place the king under this sword. Only honesty can keep the kingdom—and the ruler—safe.”

Deeply humbled, the minister removed the crown and placed it back on the king’s head. He promised never to lie or flatter again. From that day on, he became one of the most honest and loyal advisors in the court.

And so, the king’s lesson was complete:
A throne is not a seat of comfort, but a seat of duty—and above every ruler’s head, there always hangs the Sword of Responsibility.

Moral:
Honesty is the true service to a leader. Flattery blinds both the ruler and the flatterer, but truth keeps the kingdom strong.