“They say, ‘Here comes the king, men call wise, and good and great.
‘He will trample us under his cruel feet.’”
“They should be proud to die under the feet of such a king,” said the queen. “How dare they complain?”
“Not so, Great Queen,” replied the king.
He turned his horse aside and all his followers did the same.
When the great company had passed there was the ant hill unharmed in the path.
The Queen said, “Happy indeed, must be your people, wise king. I shall remember the lesson.
“He only is noble and great who cares for the helpless and weak.”