An African chief was well-known throughout the surrounding countryside for overthrowing his neighbors' leaders and taking over their territories. His subjects were fierce in battle and he was merciless. As a monument to his abilities, he would collect the thrones used by his rivals and store them in his hut.
Soon, of course, the elegant symbols of power in his collection began taking over his own house, so he had to have his hut expanded. New wings were being added all the time, his subjects tying reeds together and weaving the native grasses into walls and roof...but those responsible soon ran out of space in the main village.
Calling to his second-in-command, the king asked for advice about what to do regarding the lack of room. His lieutenant suggested that the builders add a second story to the king's domicile and gain the necessary space.
And so it was done. The king continued to conquer his neighbors, spreading slaughter wherever his troops roamed, and the throne collection grew.
Soon, of course, the second story was full, and the king commanded that yet a third floor be added. So again the villagers collected reeds and grasses and built the king's new addition.
The combined weight of all that treasure soon proved too much, and, late one night, the entire grass hut collapsed under the weight, and the king and all his retainers were crushed.
The surviving villagers vowed never to forget their late king's folly, and their mnemonic has been passed down to us to this very day:
"Those who live in grass houses shouldn't stow thrones." |
