There once was a king who ruled his country long, wisely, and well. The
king had a son whom he hoped would someday rule the land. He also wished
in his heart that the son ould be wise and compassionate. One day he said
to the prince:
"If you promised that you would give a certain women anything, even
half of your kingdom, and then she demanded the life of your best friend,
what would your decision be, my son?"
The young prince thought for a moment and then said, "I would tell
her that the life of my best friend did not lie in the half of the kingdom
that I had promised."
The king knew that his son would be a great king.