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Lost in Haste^©

 A king decided to wage war with his enemies so he called for 10,000 skilled, brave men; 20,000 skilled young brave men heeded his call.

Then he thought, “I need a lot of food.” So the king pleaded his people for meat enough for a month of battle. The citizens enthusiastically sent a three-month food supply.

“I need more horses for my men.” Once again the king ordered that 20,000 horses be gathered for his soldiers; 40,000 tall and strong horses were gathered, enough for each soldier to have an extra mount.

The king was extremely happy. “Surely, I would win this war. My enemy had only 5,000 men, a week food supply and 1,000 horses.” He boasted to his advisers.

And the fateful day arrived for war. He selected the strongest armor, the sharpest sword and the tallest horse for himself. The armor was polished and gleamed like the sun. The sword was sharpened the more if it was possible.

But the blacksmith while fitting the horseshoe had one problem – he ran short of nail and failed to fit perfectly the fourth shoe of the king’s horse. 

While the blacksmith pondered what to do, the king came around and demanded impatiently, “I want my horse now!”

The perplexed blacksmith seeing the horse cantering around with no visible problem decided to let it go.

But in the middle of the field while the king charge for the enemy, the horse lost its shoe.

A few moments more, the horse lost its balance while favoring its unprotected foot; the king lost his mount, and while on foot he was easily overtaken by the enemy and was killed.

His soldier, seeing their fallen king, lost their courage and ultimately the battle.

A lost king who lost his horse that lost its shoe lost the battle - all for the want of a nail.

Now would you rather tell a lullaby or a brilliant speech? You could waste a brilliant speech for the want of an anecdote.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Marjonnel