The Crown

 

The Crown

 

Saran Rai

He faced failure and was financially troubled. He had no job, business, or farming. When he reached the brink of starvation, he came up with an idea—he would make a crown and honor the greatest person in society by placing it on their head.

“In the era of a republic, what’s the need for a crown?” people asked.

“It’s not for crowning a king but a noble way to honor the greatest individual,” he explained.

Crowning meant it had to be grand and expensive. Fearing their community’s reputation might be tarnished, he collected a hefty donation from everyone. Leaders, industrialists, merchants, writers, social workers, and others—all the prominent figures in the society—considered themselves the greatest person there. Each thought they would be the one to wear the crown. As a result, everyone supported his idea. They even began to curry favor with him for the crown.

“If I get the crown, winning elections will be easier,” thought the politicians. “I’ll become a great person,” others imagined.

A large sum of money was raised, and he became wealthy in no time. Spending only one-hundredth of the collected amount, he created a crown made of gold, silver, and gemstones.

He organized a grand ceremony for the crowning event. Every so-called prominent figure believed they would be crowned, so no one opposed the event. At the ceremony, all these people gave lengthy speeches and congratulatory remarks. Finally, the moment to crown the greatest person arrived.

He stood up, displayed the crown to everyone, and placed it on his own head. His wife, relatives, and pets applauded.

When the politicians stood to protest, they looked at their loyal followers, only to realize he had already bought them off. Seeing his large group of vigilantes, the so-called great people remained silent.

By crowning himself, he became the most respected and greatest person in that society.