A Leader Accepts Risks (274)

By -
There was once a king who ruled in Sicily. Because he had much wealth and power, there were many who envied his good fortune. His friend was one of them who said, “How lucky you are! You have everything anyone could wish for.”

The king grew tired of hearing such talk and proposed that they change places for one day. The friend agreed.

The next day, the servants dressed him in royal robes and placed on his head a crown of gold. He sat down at a table in the banquet hall, with rich foods and costly wines.

Then, as he raised a cup to his lips, he lifted his eyes toward the ceiling and stiffened. The smile faded from his lips, and his face turned pale. For directly above this head hung a sword, held only by a single horsehair. He wanted to run.

“What is the matter, my friend?” asked the real king. “You seem to have lost your appetite.” “That sword!” Whispered his friend. “Don’t you see it?” “Of course” said the king. “I see it every day. It always hangs over my head, and there is always the chance someone or something may cut the slim thread. Perhaps one of my own advisors will grow jealous of my power and try to kill me.”

His friends quietly asked him to exchange places again and never again did he envy the king.


Extracted from 'Self Empowerment' by Bridget Menezes (Malaysian author)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bleeding Again

By -
Image
During updating Patrick's status to a friend of mine today, Patrick called out from the bed. I looked up to his dancing eyes and smiling face. This would usually put me in smiles. Instead, I watched his face more closely than usual. Much earlier this morning, closer to 2am, his vomit was mixed with blood. He was down with flu and cough since late last week. Earlier this week since Monday, the past couple of nights had been trying to us both. He woke up a few times coughing that caused him to vomit out his milk. For my readers who have not been aware, every night his nasogastric tube attached to a machine that pumped in milk throughout the night. I do this upon the doctor's advice to assist him to gain weight. HIs running nose irritated Patrick when its mucus dripped onto his upper lip. His body temperature did not appear to reach 37.5C and beyond. He has been active, as per his normal self except during the night he appeared to be more fussy than usual. He also appeared to
Read more

Surgery On My Baby

By -
Image
The birth of Patrick changed my marriage life from the two of us to the three of us, a family. We were excited, happy, worried followed by all kind of emotions for our baby son. So many things to learn, to experience. Breastfeeding, constant thoughts on our baby's well being especially when his jaundice appeared to rise during his first month. The lacking of sleep. There were moments I observed his breathing while he slept. We were amazed by every new mannerisms that Patrick displayed. We were so charmed when he first smiled to us. I would observed how gently my husband would treat Patrick and how Patrick would looked up to him, listening to his every word. Mummy supporting and loving baby We were enjoying ourselves as new parents until something happened in the middle of November 2017 that changed our lives forever. "There is something not right with his stools." My sister in law remarked to me while I tiredly changed Patrick's diapers. Menta
Read more

Compression Garments

By -
Image
Compression garments. Burn survivors either hate them or love them. The first time the occupational therapist introduced me to them, it took me around 40 minutes just to wear them on my legs and hands. So hot and tight. It felt like I was wrestling, and the compression garments won the match.   Taking off was another struggle. I hated them. Feeling weak, I would sometime give up and refuse to wear them. Occasionally, there were small patches of blood soaking through the pressure garment, an indication that my skin was still raw and had not stabilise yet. I remember giving a bunch of excuses when the occupational therapist caught me not wearing them. “It’s too tight” or “My skin is breaking down at that area”. I would inform her.  She would look at me disapprovingly, “you need to wear them for 23 hours a day”. What? You must be kidding. Unfortunately, the occupational therapist was not joking. I only began to seriously put them on after looking at some photos
Read more