Leadership story: Lessons of the Three Dolls every leader must know

On the day the prince was to become king, the grand halls of the palace buzzed with excitement. Dignitaries, nobles, scholars, and esteemed guests from distant lands had all gathered to witness the coronation. The young prince, now standing on the cusp of his destiny, carried himself with grace and dignity, but deep within his heart, he anxiously awaited the arrival of one special guest, his childhood mentor. This mentor had been a great traveler, roaming the world for three decades in pursuit of knowledge, gathering wisdom from kings, philosophers, and scholars across the lands. The young prince, now king, had always admired him, and more than anything, he longed to hear the insights his mentor had gathered over the years. When the mentor received news of the prince’s ascension to the throne, he promised to visit and bring a gift, his greatest possession. The ceremony unfolded beautifully, with grand feasts, music, and joyous celebrations filling the palace. Every person of importance had already come to offer their respects to the new king, yet his mentor was nowhere to be seen. Concerned, the king concealed his disappointment from his people, reassuring those who asked that he was simply reflecting on the great responsibility now placed upon him. As the festivities wound down and the guests retired for the night, the king withdrew to his chambers. The absence of his mentor weighed heavily on his mind, and as he drifted into sleep, he wondered if he would ever see him again. Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, a servant rushed into his chambers, informing him that his mentor had finally arrived and was waiting in the throne room.

The king, filled with excitement, hurried to meet him. As he entered the throne room, he saw the familiar face of the wise old man standing with his travel-worn cloak and a bag slung over his shoulder. The king, overjoyed, embraced him warmly. The mentor bowed respectfully and congratulated the young man, acknowledging the weight of his new responsibility. “My king, I apologize for my late arrival, and at the same time, I regret that I must depart by sunrise,” the mentor said solemnly. “But before I leave, I have brought you my most valuable possession. Before I present it to you, however, I would like to hear your thoughts about your new role.” The two sat and spoke at length. The king shared his thoughts about the challenges he foresaw, the uncertainty of ruling, and the hopes he had for his people. The mentor listened intently, nodding, and offering insights from the great rulers he had met in his travels. Hours passed in deep discussion, and as dawn approached, the time came for the mentor to take his leave. Before departing, the mentor reached into his bag and took out a small, simple package, wrapped in cloth. Handing it to the king, he said, “I was unsure what to gift you at first. But after our conversation, my choice was confirmed.”

The king unwrapped the package and found inside a small wooden box. He lifted the lid, and to his surprise, inside were three small, ancient-looking dolls. Their faces were cracked with age, their hair stringy and worn. The king frowned in confusion. “Don’t be misled by their appearance,” the mentor said, reading the king’s thoughts. “These dolls hold a lesson far greater than any jewel or weapon.” The king studied them carefully. The mentor handed him a thin string and instructed, “Thread this through the ear of each doll and observe what happens.” The king picked up the first doll and carefully inserted the string into its ear. To his surprise, the string passed straight through and emerged from the other ear. The mentor nodded and said, “This represents the first type of person, one who listens but does not retain. No matter how much wisdom or advice they receive, it goes in one ear and out the other.” Curious, the king took the second doll and did the same. This time, the string went in through the ear and came out of the doll’s mouth. The mentor explained, “This is the second type of person, one who listens but does not keep secrets. Whatever they hear, they spread to others, whether truth or gossip.” Finally, the king picked up the third doll and inserted the string. This time, the string did not emerge from anywhere. The mentor smiled. “This represents the third type of person, one who listens, thinks, and keeps information safe. They do not speak recklessly, nor do they betray trust. They know when to remain silent.”

The king furrowed his brow in thought. “So what is the lesson in this?” he asked. The mentor’s eyes gleamed with wisdom. “The attributes of these three dolls are not separate but must all be present within a wise ruler. A king must know when to ignore foolish words, when to speak and share knowledge, and when to remain silent. If you learn this balance, you will not only rule wisely but also understand the people around you, who can be trusted, who is reckless, and who is wise.” The king now saw the true value of the gift. He bowed deeply to his mentor and expressed his gratitude. The mentor, satisfied that his lesson had been understood, bid farewell and disappeared into the horizon as the sun rose over the kingdom. From that day onward, the three dolls remained in the king’s chambers as a daily reminder of the wisdom his mentor had imparted. And as the years passed, he became known as a ruler of great wisdom, one who knew when to listen, when to speak, and when to remain silent.