| by Basil Fernando
[October 03, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian]
Advice to a King
A King was planning a war
He wished to conquer a neighboring land
where, he had heard,
the people were prosperous.
Wanting to be sure of victory,
he summoned his senior minster,
bade him to go before the Wise One.
And after letting the wise one know
the King's intentions,
to ask for his thoughts
on the venture's success.
The minister did as he was told
And waited for the wise one's words,
who then spoke, saying,
People of that land, I have learned
Hold assemblies, talk to each other
Such is the secret of their prosperity
Such a nation can not be conquered.
Minster brought these word to the King
and the King replied,"The wise one
Always tells the truth,"
and abandoned his planned warfare.
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