The Ideal Stable
Long long ago there was a king named Chitrasen who ruled over a vast kingdom. His administration was ideal and under him, the kingdom prospered well. His capital, Jaynagar, became a great centre of trade and commerce. But the king was ever eager to improve upon his administration. Once it occurred to him that the common people should participate in the government. But how could that be made possible? All the tens of thousands of people could not be consulted on an issue. After much thinking, he decided that there should be committees of wise and capable people. These committees should do all that was necessary for the people's welfare. The king decided to make his new experiment in a big town named Sumanpur situated on the other end of the kingdom. He announced that the proposed committee would have twelve members. The committee would realise certain taxes from the people and spend the income for the benefit of the town. But how to select the committee members? The king further announced that those who enjoyed maximum public support should have their right to the membership. How to know who enjoyed such support? The king found a simple way for that.
On an appointed day the candidates should meet him at the capital, bringing with them their supporters. Those who brought maximum supporters would be declared the members of the committee. The king's old minister was not happy with the scheme. But there were many in his court who found the scheme quite exciting. Also, excitement ran high at Sumanpur. The people of the town were all praise for the king. The minister kept quiet. There was a young man at Sumanpur named Vikash. He was much loved by the youth of the town. He had nothing in his mind but the welfare of the people. Under his leadership, the youth of the town had founded many institutions such as schools, dispensaries and shelters for the travellers. The king had heard much about him and was sure that Vikash would be the first one to find a place in the committee. Vikash and his friends did their best to educate the people on the significance of the king's decision. They told the people that they should support only such candidates who are really capable and who are not selfish. The appointed day came.
About two dozen candidates arrived in the capital. Each one had brought a large number of people to support him. The twelve who had brought the maximum supporters were declared selected as members of the committee. The king was surprised that Vikash was not among the two dozen candidates. However, he advised the members to elect a leader and serve the people sincerely. The members promised to elect the leader within a week. But even after a month, they had not been able to elect a leader. The king was unhappy. He asked the minister what the problem with the members could be. "My lord, each of the twelve wants to become the leader. Each one is trying to influence the other eleven in his favour. That is why they have not been able to come to a decision and I doubt if they will ever come!" The king summoned the members to his court and asked them to choose a leader in his presence. They looked at each other and almost all of them said simultaneously, "My lord, you choose the leader on our behalf." The king obliged them by choosing an elderly member of the committee as the leader. The members thanked the king and left for Sumanpur. Now, each member of the committee was eager to get as much work done as possible for his own area. If a well was sunk where there was none, a jealous member would demand that a well be sunk in his area for it! Whenever a dispute arose, the leader did not find enough courage in him to settle it. He found it convenient to carry the matter to the king and get his decision. On average, he visited the town once a week.