Knute was a great and mighty emperor. he was ruler over the three kingdoms of England,Norway,and Denmark. He was a great and mighty Lord with a court filled with men of great riches, and power.He had begun to suspect, however, that his courtiers were NOT giving him good advice and were trying to fill his head with empty praise and flattery to gain rank,wealth, and position. His fears were proved true when one day his courtiers, and advisers were gathered together,and one of them said "Why great king you are so powerful, the sea itself must obey your commands!"
Now we know any self respecting Norseman knows that the way of the sea is to be a fickle mistress, who obeys no one, no matter how powerful. So he responded "Really? do all my advisers agree? Am I really that great and mighty of a lord?"
"Oh ,yes your Majesty" they all gushed "you are truly the greatest and mightiest king who ever lived!"
"We shall see," said Knute as he rose from his throne and marched out towards the shore "I shall go the waters edge and command the tide to NOT rise,and soil my expensive robes"
So Knute went down to the shore,and in a booming authoritative voice bellowed "Tide! I command thee to NOT raise and leave my feet dry,and my robes unsullied"
He then turned to his advisors and courtiers and said, "I hope, for your sake, that the tide does not rise. because if you have DARED lie to you emperor, you will pay with your HEADS."
In fact, the tide did continue to rise. When the water had risen to the emperor's knees, he called for his bodyguards to have all his advisors and courtiers beheaded. He then filled his court with men whom he knew would never lie to him , no matter how harsh the truth was.
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