Be Healthy!
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom ruled by a very pompous king. He never listened to his advisors and made decisions as he pleased.
He had a daughter named Tara. She was clever, but also very tired of her father's behavior. There were silly rules, and the people of the kingdom either laughed or were very upset.
— These carrots are amazing, aren't they, Tara? — I suppose so. — They're delicious. Officially, I declare that everyone in the kingdom must now eat only carrots. — What? But the people of the kingdom wouldn't enjoy that. — Of course not, Tara. My people love me and will like the new rule.
The King's Rules
But after a week, the king grew tired of eating carrots all day.
— Carrot pies, carrot stew, carrots, carrots, carrots. I'm fed up. — Perhaps the people are also fed up with this rule. — I think you're right. I'll remove it.
Anyway, his subjects were very unhappy with the way he ruled over them. In the palace, lived a maid named Lucia. She was actually a fairy, and although she looked very young, she was a thousand years old.
Lucia had another friend, Sparkles. Sparkles was the flower fairy. She was tiny and playful and lived in the garden among the wonderful flowers. Together, they had looked after the royal family for many years.
— Good morning, Lucia! What news do you have for me? Has the king made any new rules? — Oh, Sparkles! Our king is so naive. I can't understand how he can make such stupid rules. The last king was very good, wasn't he? — He was! Especially since he didn't like carrots! — Ha ha ha! — What's that laughing over there? — Oh, no! It's the king! Quick, hide! Don't let him see you! — Oh, Lucia, was that you laughing? — Good morning, Your Majesty! Uh, yes. I was laughing at this garden, which, which makes me happy. — Well, I understand. Anyone would like this garden because it belongs to me. The flowers are so beautiful. No garden can be as beautiful as mine. — Oh, Your Majesty, actually, that flower is... — Stupid king! I'll teach you a lesson! Hmm! — They really have a very... — Ah! — Achoo! — Oh, dear! Be healthy!
The king was very surprised.
— Be healthy! I liked the sound of that. Everyone should wish me health when I sneeze, shouldn't they? — Well, I... — See? You agree. Everyone will do this because I am king and everyone loves the king! I officially declare that every time His Majesty sneezes, the entire kingdom must say: "Be healthy!"
The king left, very proud of himself.
— Oh, Sparkles! What have you done? — Don't worry, Lucia! I put a little luck in that magic dust. Let's see what happens!
Aaron, the Honest Shepherd
Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom and people gathered around them.
— Listen, everyone! The king has made a new rule! Every time His Majesty sneezes, all his subjects must say the words: "Be healthy!" If they don't, they will be punished! — What's wrong with our king! — Shhh! The soldiers can hear you. We must do as ordered.
And so, the people obeyed. Every time the king sneezed, the bells rang and all the people said: "Be healthy!"
In this kingdom, lived a poor shepherd named Aaron. He was an honest and very clever man. He didn't listen to or agree with everything he heard. He always stood up for what was just and fair.
One day, he was in front of his house when some friends came to greet him.
— Look, here lives the honest shepherd, Aaron! Aaron, let us help you! — Come with us! We'll teach you how to steal and never get caught! A golden watch wouldn't hurt you at all! — I could steal all the golden watches in the world and I wouldn't feel rich at all. — You don't have to feel rich. You could steal them so we feel rich! No! — Ha ha ha! — Ha ha ha!
Just then, the bells began to ring.
— Oh dear! The king is sneezing! He must have a very big nose! — Quiet! Say the words! — Be healthy! — Be healthy!
However, Aaron stood there and said nothing. His friend noticed the guards and told him:
— Aaron, what are you doing? Didn't you see the guards? — I saw them, but I see no reason why I should wish the king health every time. Frankly, I find it stupid. I don't even see him sneezing. — Shhh! Be quiet, Aaron! Do you want the guards to hear you? — Oh, no! It's too late!
And when Aaron turned around, a guard had heard everything and was now looking at him with anger.
— How dare you speak ill of the king? Repeat the words he ordered you to say, or you will be taken to the palace! — Do as you wish. I am not afraid of the king and I refuse to say the words.
So, the guard took Aaron to the palace. When the king heard what Aaron had said, he was very furious.
— How dare you wish ill upon your king? Don't you care about your ruler? — I have never wished you ill, Your Majesty, but in all honesty, I find it amusing to wish you health when I don't see you sneezing. — Amusing? Do you find me, the great ruler of this kingdom, amusing? You scoundrel!
Aaron's Trials
— Father, look at these beautiful flowers that... Oh! Who is this man? — This man dares to disrespect my rule. It's the best rule I've ever made. — Is there really a man who dares to defy my father's rule? Don't you want to wish my father health? — It's not that, Your Majesty. I just told him I find it amusing. — Oh! That sounds very interesting!
At that moment, Sparkles suddenly appeared from under the flowers Tara was holding. She threw some magic dust again, which went into Tara's nose.
— Ah! Ah! Achoo! — Oh! Be healthy! — What? You said it to her? Then why don't you say it to me? — Ha ha ha! — How dare you laugh? — But, but I didn't laugh! — Enough! You will be punished! Take this man and throw him into the lion's den!
The guards took Aaron by the shoulders and threw him into the den. It was large and dark. There was no way out, and Aaron had to wait for the fierce lion to be brought into the den.
But Aaron was quick. He took out a few pieces of meat he had in his pouch, then took out some sleeping powder and poured it over the meat. He placed the meat on the ground and hid behind a large boulder.
When the lion entered the den, it let out a terrifying growl and poor Aaron was very scared. But the lion smelled the meat and ate it all immediately.
— Yes, yes, that's it, lion! Eat it all! — Oh, no!
But the lion was very angry, someone had disturbed him during his long-awaited dinner. He saw Aaron and roared with fury.
— Oh, no! Please, don't eat me! No, no!
And after that, the lion immediately fell asleep. It slept all night, and Aaron was perfectly safe. Still, he stayed awake just in case.
The next morning, the guards came to get Aaron and were surprised to see him alive and well, while the lion slept peacefully beside him. They took him to the king, who was even more surprised to see him.
— How did you manage to escape the lion?
And Aaron told the king what he had done.
— Very well. Now you must surely be afraid for your life. Do you want to wish me health now? — I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I do not retract what I said yesterday. — Then you will be thrown into the pit of wild boars! Guards, take this insolent fellow out of here!
Poor Aaron was thrown into the pit and as soon as he looked around, he saw wild boars approaching him. But even here, Aaron thought quickly. He took out a flute and played so beautifully that the boars couldn't help but dance. All night they danced and danced until they were too tired to move.
The next day, when the guards went to the pit, they found Aaron alive. They were very amazed at the sight of the boars dancing to his music. They took him to the king and told him everything they had seen.
When the princess heard about the dancing boars, she began to laugh.
— Ha ha ha! — Oh dear! Now what do I do? Hmm, very well. If punishments don't affect you, then perhaps gifts will.
The king took Aaron to a distant place and showed him a house built of pure gold. It shone so brightly that Aaron couldn't take his eyes off it.
— Isn't it beautiful? It can be yours if you wish me health. — A golden house? — Be healthy! Be healthy! Be healthy! — No, no, I cannot do it. Even if you give me all the jewels and gold in the world, I cannot be bribed.
A Wiser King
The king was perplexed beyond words. He didn't know what to do or say.
— I am completely bewildered. I no longer know what to do to change your mind. Very well. Until I find a way to make you wish me health, you will stay at the palace under my supervision. Once you come to admire me, you will surely say those beautiful words to me.
Aaron was very amused by this king so in love with himself. Nevertheless, he accepted the king's offer. He had no choice anyway.
Months passed and Aaron enjoyed and savored life at the palace. He spoke with everyone and soon everyone came to realize how wise and righteous he was.
And the king noticed his way of being, and as he began to speak, the king learned things about his kingdom. Because Aaron was a poor shepherd, he told the king all the problems of the people.
— I have learned much from you. The people of my kingdom seem much happier now. And that is because I listened to your advice. Would you not like to be my royal advisor and stay here at the palace? — I gladly accept the offer, Your Majesty.
And so, the king became wiser. And in time, his selfish behavior disappeared. The kingdom had now become a much happier one.
One day, the king saw Tara and Aaron looking at each other with affection. He realized that during the time Aaron had been there, the two had fallen in love with each other.
— Tara, my dear, if you wish to be with Aaron, I have no objection. He is a wise man and I would be very happy for you to marry him. — Oh, thank you, Father, for I love him very much!
The wedding took place the very next day. Everyone rejoiced. Even Sparkles danced to the music.
— Sparkles, hide, lest someone sees you! — Oh, no one will see me, Lucia! Everyone is busy enjoying the music. Just like me!
And as she danced, her magic dust fell on the king, Tara, and Aaron.
— Oh, no! Not again! — Uh, uh, uh, achoo! — Uh, uh, achoo! — Ha, ha, achoo!
They all looked at each other and were very surprised.
— Be healthy! — Be healthy! — Be healthy!
And so, all three laughed heartily.
— Oops!
The moral of the story: A good leader is one who listens and learns from their people, not one who imposes their will through absurd rules. Wisdom and kindness bring happiness and prosperity, and true value cannot be bought or forced.
