WISE KING

  Once there ruled in the distant city of
Wirani a king who was both mighty and
wise.  And he was feared for his might 
and loved for his wisdom.

  Now, in the heart of that city was a well,
whose water was cool and crystalline,
from which all the inhabitants drank, even
the king and his courtiers; for there was no
other well.

  One night when all were asleep, a witch
entered the city, and poured seven drops
of strange liquid into the well, and said,
"From this hour he who drinks this water
shall become mad."

  Next morning all the inhabitants, save
the king and his lord chamberlain, drank
from the well and became mad, even as the 
witch had foretold.

  And during that day the people in the
narrow streets and in the market places did
naught but whisper to one another, "The
king is mad.  Our king and his lord cham-
berlain have lost their reason.  Surely we
cannot be ruled by a mad king.  We must
dethrone him."

  That evening the king ordered a golden 
goblet to be filled from the well.  And
when it was brought to him he drank
deeply, and gave it to his lord chamberlain
to drink.

  And there was great rejoicing in that
distant city of Wirani, because its king
and its lord chamberlain had regained their
reason.