The Crown

 

The Crown

 

Saran RAi 

He failed and became economically troubled. He had no job, no business, no farming—nothing. When the situation reached the point of hunger, he came up with an idea: to make a crown and place it on the head of the greatest person in society as a mark of honor.

“In an age of democracy, what use is a crown?” people said.
“A crown is not for making someone a king; it is a good way to honor the greatest person,” he replied.

A crown, of course, had to be expensive. Thinking that the dignity of his place was at stake, he collected large donations from everyone. Politicians, industrialists, traders, writers, social workers, and all other so-called big people considered themselves the greatest person of that place. They thought they themselves would get to wear the crown. Therefore, everyone supported his work. They even began flattering him for the crown.

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

A huge amount of money was collected, and before long he became wealthy. Spending just one percent of the total collected amount, he made a crown studded with gold, silver, and gems.

He organized a grand ceremony to place the crown. All the so-called great people believed the crown would be placed on their own heads, so no one objected. Everyone delivered grand speeches and congratulatory messages at the event. Finally, the time came to place the crown.

He stood up, showed the crown to everyone, and put it on his own head. His wife, relatives, and pets applauded. When the politicians stood up to protest, they looked at their followers. Those followers had already been bought by him earlier. Seeing the large group of his vigilantes, those who considered themselves great remained silent.

Wearing the crown, he became the most respected and greatest person in that society.