There was once a king who knew and respected an advisor from his court.
There was jealousy among the king’s inner circle, and this respected advisor was wrongfully accused of betraying the king.
Though shocked and dismayed at the revelation he ordered the advisor to be out to death by hanging.
“I accept your decree, but I ask of you one favor. Please allow me the time to travel back to my family for a final farewell,” the advisor implored.
The king replied, “How could I let you go and expect you to come back to accept your fate? The answer is ‘No’.
“I have a friend who will stand in my place. If I am not back at the precise time of your decree, you can hang him in my stead.”
“Ridiculous!” said the king. “Who would trust their life to your word?”
A voice spoke out from the crowd. “It is I, my king, who will stay in the prison and walk to the gallows if the time should come that my dear friend, a man of honesty and virtue, should happen not to return.”
And so the king agreed. The doomed advisor took his leave.
When the time came for the hanging to take place, the advisor was nowhere in sight.
“Aha!” thought the king, “this man of honesty and virtue is not so honrable after all.”
With his head in the noose, the stand-in for his friend, dutifully hung his head to accept his fate.
Just then, he heard a shout-out from the crowd, “Wait! The advisor has returned!”
The doomed man sprinted up to the platform where he removed the noose from his friend’s neck and slipped it over his own.
The surprised king stood up and declared, “This man too shall go free under one condition. That all present recognize the precious gift of friendship as these two share.”
An overwhelming cry of “Aye!” rose up from the people in attendance, as they had just witnessed a miracle.
Throughout the kingdom the story spread, and friendships grew strong and proud, creating ties that bind in sacrifice, honor and love.
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