King Bugle believed himself to be a noble, wise and majestic ruler. He saw himself as well-dressed, well-cultured and fair in everything he did. He was a respected king.
King Bugle had all of these thoughts privately as he sat by a window in his castle, eavesdropping on the conversations from the street outside. This listening session was how he took the temperature of his loyal subjects. The King possessed a wonderful skill: he only heard conversations in which someone mentioned the King. This kept him from hearing conversations between bugle players.
Out on the street, he heard, “Apple prices are so high. The King should not have gone to war with Apple Country.”
King Bugle made a mental note to have his economists prove that the apple prices were not actually tied to his war with Apple Country. How could they be?
Another voice from the street, “The King is raising taxes to build a theater. What’s wrong with seeing plays in the street?”
The King smiled at this one. This subject would not complain about the theater once she was inside. Every tax dollar would seem worth it.
“I’m so mad that King Bugle made it rain,” a voice pierced through the window. “I wish he could just leave the weather alone.”
King Bugle leapt up! How could he be responsible for the weather? It was preposterous. He looked out the window and saw that the man speaking was wearing a red hat.
“Guards, guards,” King Bugle yelled as two men came running into the room. “There’s a man in a red hat out there. I want you to get him to come to lunch!”
20 minutes later, King Bugle sat at his dining table, his thoughts turning back to what a great King he was. The doors to the room opened, and the guards shoved in the man in the red hat. The man fell to the floor.
The man looked around, confused, and then he saw the King. He rose and gave a halfhearted bow.
“Sir, sir, sit down,” King Bugle said, gesturing to a chair. “This was a lunch invitation.”
The man warily sat down.
King Bugle continued. “I wanted to talk to you because I just happened to be strolling by my front window when I heard you say that I was to blame for the weather. How could I be blamed for the weather?”
“Well, your highness. Last night, you put on a play where you dumped water off the castle for the entire show. It flooded the streets, and my wagon is stuck in the mud.”
King Bugle considered this for a moment and then smiled. He truly was a wonderful king. “I am solving this problem! We are building an indoor theater!”