Leadership story: The stateless king who was born and bred to be a leader

There was once a prince which inherited a kingdom after his father died. And, like all kings before him, he had everything in abundance growing up. But now only a couple of months when he was king suddenly trouble began in his kingdom. The drought killed many plants, animals, and people, and the diseases that followed killed even more. And then, when things were getting better an enemy state stormed the kingdom and killed or imprisoned the ones who survived. The young king somehow managed to escape. On his way to his childhood friend, who ruled the neighboring state our young king contemplated how could all of this happened to him. He was born and bred to be a leader of the most powerful and richest kingdom in all the lands known to his people, but now he has lost everything. He believed that he had bad luck as nothing like this happened to his father or any other king he knew.

However, when our young king finally reached the capital of his friend’s kingdom, the guards did not let him in the palace as they did so many times before. They didn’t believe that he was a king because of his rags. So, the king had to get a job and earn some money to buy decent clothes before attempting to enter again. When he finally got new clothes he was allowed to appear before his friend. His friend listened to the young king’s story carefully and with distress. After thinking a while, he ordered his subjects to give the stateless king a herd of 100 sheep.

The prince scoffed at this “friendly” attitude. He had hoped for much more. He loathed the very idea of becoming a shepherd. But, he had nothing else, and there was no other way out so he took his friend’s offer. Sometime later, while he was grazing his 100 sheep, wolves attacked his herd and killed each and every sheep. While the attack was happening the king just ran away. So now he had to go back to his friend and ask for help once again. This time he was given just 50 sheep. Not long after this herd died once again. So he yet again went back to his friend for help. The 3rd time he was given only 25 sheep. Afraid that this number will be halved in case he loses the 25 sheep as well, the young king started caring about his herd. He paid more attention to the placed he took them, to the conditions they found themselves in. He provided more security by standing guard, and he also talked to them.

After a while, he had a herd of 1000 sheep. Delighted, he went to the palace and informed his friend that, in a year, he believes to be able to have twice as many. Happy to hear such great news, his friend embraced him and ordered his subjects to give him a whole state to rule ower. The young king, who was by now very disillusioned with his friend and was very doubtful of any friendly relations, asked his friend “Why didn’t you give me a state right away if you had one too give?” The king’s friend responded.

“Well, since I have seen what has happened with your kingdom I was waiting for you to learn how to manage and lead others. You see, you thought that you were born and bred to be a leader, but the truth was far from it. You may have been born into wealth, prestige, and status of power, but you have never been properly educated and trained to lead your people. Dear friend, now I believe you are prepared to lead others.”