The Fable of the King and the Grain Master
Gregg Zegarelli Esq.
Managing Shareholder at Technology & Entrepreneurial Ventures Law Group, PC
Once upon a time...
A king known to be wise throughout the land sat on his throne. He called to his servants, "Bring me my Grain Master!" and, at once, they did as he commanded.
Indeed, the Grain Master appeared at once before the king and prostrated himself upon entry. "Arise and report on the yield," said the king, "I have seen what appears to be a favorable yield and heard as much informally."
"Yes, the grain yield was more than favorable, My King," replied the Grain Master. The king looked at the Grain Master intently, "You have done your job well," said the king. "Your Majesty, I am but your eyes and hands in the field—your senses such as it is—but it is by Your Majesty's wisdom and sensibilities that we prosper."
"Tell me, are the stores filled?" inquired the king, now leaning forward curiously toward the Grain Master. "Yes," replied the Grain Master, "Accounting for first-in first-out disposition, even with a future drought or other calamity, the stores hold as much as can be held without spoilage."
"Good," replied the king, continuing, "And have the workers been made whole?" "Yes," replied the Grain Master. "And have the infants, the infirm, and those who could not work been made whole?" asked the king. "Yes," replied the Grain Master. "And, have the workers been rewarded?" "Why, yes," said the Grain Master, "to the point of spoilage in any further reward, and with reprieve, as is your general custom."
"The realm is healthy..." said the king sort of talking to himself, sitting back on his throne with a look of tired concerned relief. The Grain Master looked at the king with love, "Your majesty, if I might say, the realm is more than healthy and prosperous, but also happy, by your paternal love and care for your people."
The king sat there for a moment, with a pondering look, asking somewhat abruptly, "Have our allies made application?" "Yes, as usual," replied the Grain Master, "Shall I release surplus to them in the order of their respective need?" "No!" exclaimed the king, "Not by their respective need, but by their respective prudence, as evidenced by the causation that has effected their respective need."
"But, My King," said the Grain Master, "some allies are in dire need, being in famine and war." "Do exactly as I command," commanded the king sternly looking directly into the eyes of the Grain Master, "Even prudence will get unlucky, but the virtue of prudence is rewarded first by both gods and by men—to kings and by kings. For those who contribute to their own misery—or live on the basis of luck—they can look to themselves or to luck to save them. Virtue is saved by virtue, and luck is saved by luck." "I shall do it exactly, of course, Your Majesty," said the Grain Master. "You have my leave to go," concluded the king.
"But, My King, may I ask what to do with the others?" inquired the Grain Master. "What others?" asked the king, continuing, "I have addressed those who work, those who are unable to work, and our prudent and imprudent allies."
"But, there are others, Your Majesty." The king, now sitting, leaned forward again, appearing abrased, "Who?" The Grain Master responding meekly, "Those of your realm who can work but who do not work." "Do they have cause?" asked the king intently. "Some claimed it," said the Grain Master. "And did you give them ear?" asked the king. "Yes," said the Grain Master, "but, where they presented claims, I found their claims lacking notwithstanding."
Then the king now stood up with his elbows extended and fists on his hips, commanding, "It will be as follows. Mark it. Anyone who can work who does not work with claim, you will give ear. If you determine the claim has merit, you may resolve it under my authority, or bring the question to me. If you determine that the claim does not have merit, it will be as if there is no cause. Any determination you make is subject to my review of your conduct as I determine, subject to penalty upon you.
"And any person who is capable of work who does not work without cause shall be cast out of the city walls. We are the grain, the wheel, or the grist, but if none of those, cast away as we cast away a useless rock in a wagon stuck in mud. That is my judgment. As it is written, it shall be done."
The Grain Master responded, "I will do exactly as you command," with the king then sitting back down and the Grain Master starting his departure.
As the Grain Master departed, the king stood again, now with his hands fixed together behind his back, "Grain Master!" "Yes, Your Majesty?" said the Grain Master. "You have become fortunate from your position as Grain Master?" asked the king. "Why, yes, of course, My King, with all that my family and I have being by your gracious gifts."
The king then inquired, "How many days were those who could work but did not work provided with the realm's rations?" "Why, My King, for many months during the production season," said the Grain Master. "Did this generosity for the non-workers come from your personal wealth?" asked the king. "Why, no, Your Majesty, of course not, but by the same treasury and stores as the rations allocated for the workers," replied the Grain Master.
"Then, from your own personal wealth, you will pay back into the treasury the value of the rations provided for those non-workers," scolded the king. The Grain Master, looking back at the king, "Your Majesty, but, in all humbleness and subject to your wrath, may I ask why you burden me with this cost?"
And the king granted a reply, "Because, it was by your leave that these non-workers without cause burdened the realm. If it is by your leave that it is endured, then it is by your wealth that it is paid.
"You said the realm is happy. That is because the people will suffer work and hardship as part of life. But what the people will not suffer, for long, is injustice. People will not suffer the injustice of working for those who can work but who do not work. And, by my paternal love, I cannot bring this injustice to my people in any manner of my honor and expect to sustain their love, to sustain my rule, or to sustain this kingdom.
"Rather, as a good and prudent steward for my people, it is not for them to pay for your own decisions, your unproductive generosities from other people's labors. You allowed it, so you will pay for it, immediately, and in the future. That is my judgment. As it is written, it shall be done. What must be, will be."
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Said the Grain Master in departing, "Your Majesty, I understand now, and I am corrected and the better for it. These are difficult judgments, but the realm's prosperity requires it. Your command will be done. What must be, will be."
* Gregg Zegarelli, Esq., earned both his Bachelor of Arts Degree and his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His dual major areas of study were History from the College of Liberal Arts and Accounting from the Business School (qualified to sit for the CPA examination), with dual minors in Philosophy and Political Science. He has enjoyed Adjunct Professorships in the Duquesne University Graduate Leadership Master Degree Program (The Leader as Entrepreneur; Developing Leadership Character Through Adversity) and the University of Pittsburgh Law School (The Anatomy of a Deal). He is admitted to various courts throughout the United States of America.
Gregg Zegarelli, Esq., is Managing Shareholder of Technology & Entrepreneurial Ventures Law Group, PC. Gregg is nationally rated as "superb" and has more than 35 years of experience working with entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes, including startups, INC. 500, and publicly traded companies. He is author of One: The Unified Gospel of Jesus, and The Business of Aesop™ article series, and co-author with his father, Arnold Zegarelli, of The Essential Aesop: For Business, Managers, Writers and Professional Speakers. Gregg is a frequent lecturer, speaker and faculty for a variety of educational and other institutions.
© 2024 Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn.
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The statements or opinions made in this article are solely the author's own and not representative of any institution regarding which the author is affiliated.
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Amazing insights from #TheGrainMaster 🌾! Aristotle once hinted - excellence is not an act, but a habit. This echoes the king's wisdom on sustainability and justice, emphasizing the importance of contribution and prudence in our communities. Let's be the grain, actively contributing to a fair and flourishing society! 💪 #Wisdom #Sustainability #CommunityBuilding