ONCE, when visiting a distant country, John James (sometimes called ‘The Red,’ sometimes ‘The Wanderer’) saw a number of men being dragged to gaol through the streets of the capital. He turned to a stranger who was also looking on, and said: ‘Sir, I am not of this country, as you may guess from my faltering speech. Pray tell me what these poor fellows have done that they should be thus handled.’
The stranger replied, with some heat: ‘Sir, you may well ask that. These men—heroes all of them—have dared to oppose out unjust rulers. They are lovers of Truth and Freedom, and so have become the victims of that vile tyranny which passes here for government. They are all—as you can see—noble and virtuous—the friends of society.’ So John James went on his way, grieved that the country should be so badly served.
Five years later, however, he found himself in the same city. Again, he saw a number of men being driven through the streets to the gaol. And again he turned to one who was standing near, but found him no stranger, for it was no other than the man he had questioned before.
‘Tell me,’ said John James, ‘what these poor fellows have done that they should lose their freedom, or perhaps their lives.’
The other replied with more heat than before: ‘Sir, that is quickly answered. These fellows—insolent scoundrels all of them—have opposed our God-appointed rulers. Such ruffians are the enemies of Freedom and Truth, and deserve the fate that our just government has appointed for them. They are all—as you can see—vicious and depraved—the enemies of society.’
So John James passed on, pleased to learn that the country was now well governed.
THE MORAL
I MET a fair child plucking flowers near the highway, and called to her saying: ‘Little one, what can I do to make you happy?’
Thereupon she came running towards me, crying, ‘Tell me a tale, a tale!’
So I told her a tale of the Castle beneath the Sea, and went my way.