THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES

There was a king named Dionysius. He was very cruel. People hated him. He was afraid that someone would kill him.

He was very rich. He lived in a fine palace. There were many beautiful and costly things. Many servants waited on him.

One day his friend Damocles said to him,'How happy you must be! You have everything a man could wish.'

'Would you like to change places with me?' asked the tyrant.

Damocles answered,'No, not that, O king! But I think that if I could have your riches and your pleasures for one day, I should not want any greater happiness.'

'TVery well,' said the tyrant.'You shall have them.'

So, the next day, Damocles was led into the palace. All the servants were told to treat him as their master. He sat at a table in the banquet hall. Rich foods were placed before him. There was nothing he could want. There were costly wines, beautiful flowers, rare perfumes, and delightful music. He rested on soft cushions and felt that he was the happiest man in the world.

Then he looked up at the ceiling. What was hanging above him, almost touching his head? A sharp sword hung by a single horse-hair. What if the hair broke? The danger was real in every moment.

Damocles 'smile faded. His face grew pale. His hands trembled. He wanted no more food. He could not drink any more wine. He did not hear the music. He wished to leave the palace.

'TWhat is the matter?' asked the tyrant.

'That sword! That sword!' cried Damocles. He was so afraid that he did not dare to move.

'Yes,' said Dionysius,'I know there is a sword above your head, and that it may fall at any moment. But why should that trouble you? I have a sword over my head all the time. I am always in fear that something may kill me.'

'Let me go,' said Damocles.'Now I see that I was mistaken, and that the rich and powerful are not so happy as they seem. Let me go back to my old home in the cottage among the mountains.'

And so long as he lived, he never again wanted to be rich, or to change places, even for a moment, with the king.