"A concern has grown in our mind."
The councilors yielded all their attention to their master and listened to his concern. "Our audiences, where we invite our subjects to petition us directly, ought to go differently from how they do, we believe. It seems as if our people are too intimidated to speak properly. Sometimes we see them kneel and leave without even bringing up their case. How shall we rectify this?"
The councilors conferred and suggested this, that the king order built a spire so that his subjects could approach without meeting his eyes or being looked on by all the court.
"Our subjects no longer turn white and skulk away, and the breeze on our balcony is refreshing. However, it seems difficult for us to hear our subjects, and they us. What is to be done?"
The councilors conferred and suggested this, that the inventors of wondrous things might fashion a device to carry speech on the ground up to the spire allow the king to speak in a voice audible to all.
"How pleasing it is to hear our subjects and speak to them! Our kingdom prospers. One improvement has yet to be made to perfect our government. The power of our voice reassures but seems also to frighten our people. What is to be done?"
The councilors conferred and agreed that the inventors could certainly arrange to have their master's visage spread over the sky to ensure his subjects could see his lack of displeasure.
"Hey, did you hear that the king of Maringia built a huge tower because he didn't want anybody to look him in the eye and plays at being a god?"
"What a terrible man! How do they stand it?"
Finis
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