Читать книгу A Little Wisdom for Growing Up, Second and Expanded Edition - John C. Morgan - Страница 18

All the creatures of the forest had gathered to vote on who would be king for the year.

As with humans, so with animals—in crowds they sometimes argue and have to be stopped from hitting one another.

The lion argued that the strongest should rule, for, he said: “If we are ever attacked, I will lead our troops into battle!”

The beaver responded that he had a better idea; he would build a dam around the forest so that no one could get in. The wasp replied that his army would sting any invaders before they set foot in the kingdom.

The animals took a vote and it was split. No one had a clear majority of the votes. The monkeys even claimed the voting was fixed; the elephants replied that they would never forget this day of injustice.

After a tenth vote, the animals were restless. Finally, the skunk spoke out: “My friends, I have only a few words, but I will illustrate what might happen if anyone entered out kingdom to hurt us.” At which point, he lifted his tail and released a tremendous fume of ill smelling fluid. All the animals scattered. The skunk found that he was now alone.

“I cast a vote that the skunk rule for a year,” he said. And then he voted before declaring: “The vote is unanimous. I rule.” He chuckled and went on his way.

Moral: In politics, as in life, it is not always what you say, but how you say it that wins the crowd.