The kingdom of Upper Flowbee was troubled. A long drought had damaged this years crops and illness had taken the lives of many in the kingdom during the previous winter. King Bakar looked out over his domain and worried that things were not well with the people. Even worse, King Bohnar of Lower Flowbee had started massing his armies near the border between the two kingdoms. Relations were deteriorating between the two kingdoms and the ever-irascible King Bohnar might attack at any time, due to the bad conditions. Things were not well in Upper Flowbee.
Now, it was the custom in Upper Flowbee that the King would distribute generously of his wealth at the harvest fair, and his subjects were eagerly anticipating this year's beneficent gift. This gift made King Bakar most popular with those living in the kingdom. For King Bakar, this presented a real dilemma, since the coffers were much depleted after buying grain and medicinal goods from far-off Sinhar. This grain and medicine had been distributed to the people in Upper Flowbee by the king to ease their suffering during the period of illness and drought.
King Bakar summoned his royal treasurer and asked for an account of the royal coffers. The report was dismal, but not disastrous. After some calculations were made, it was determined that a certain sum, considerably less than the usual generous amount, would have to suffice for the Harvest Fair beneficence. So, the King sent out a decree throughout the kingdom, announcing the reduction in the amount that would be distributed
All across Upper Flowbee, people became angry at this reduction in the annual gift. Harsh words were spoken in many a tavern and churchyard. Accusations against the King were made and the distribution of grain and medicines in the past year was completely forgotten. People began to band together to plot against the King for his reduction of the annual distribution.
King Bohnar of Lower Flowbee soon learned of the dissatisfaction and sent his agents into Lower Flowbee, where they conspired to increase the anger of the bands of unhappy subjects of King Bakar. Soon, more and more people joined together to cry out against King Bakar. King Bakar had heard of this uprising, of course, and called the leaders of the disgruntled crowds to the castle, so that he might explain the reasons that made the reduction necessary.
Among those who came to the castle were two of the agents of King Bohnar. As King Bakar began to explain why the gift had to be reduced, the two agents sprang forward and slew the King, shouting, "Down with the evil king!" The other representatives took up the cry. They had defeated the evil King Bakar for his affront. Leaving the castle, they returned to their villages, bearing the happy news that King Bakar was slain and that he no longer ruled Upper Flowbee. Celebration was general as the villagers cheered the end of the King.
The celebration, though, was short-lived. Soon, the armies of King Bohnar descended on the villages and looted them of all their stores, slaying the men of every village. They then broke down the walls of the castle and declared that King Bohnar was now the King of all Flowbee and that all must pay tribute to King Bohnar. Then, the armies returned to Lower Flowbee, leaving destruction and ruin behind for the Upper Kingdom.
The moral of this fable can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxkdmL3iMCY
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