There was a king who loved to jest. One day, in a crowded court, he suddenly stood up from his throne, took off his crown, and placed it on the throne. In a commanding tone, he addressed the courtiers present, “I am tired of ruling. This throne, this crown, I leave in your hands. I wish to renounce it at this moment and take up asceticism.” Then, looking at the minister, he added, “Whoever among you wears the crown shall be accepted as the new king. Just inform me. After that, I will leave everything and depart for the forest. A few days of devotion to God will bring peace to my mind.”

The nobles and courtiers were astonished, and the king went to the royal chamber.

In the royal chamber, the king slept comfortably, but the queen beside him was in a distressed state. Her anxiety grew to such an extent that she shook the king awake and said, “The afternoon sun has long set… evening has fallen, but the minister has not yet brought any news. Does it take so long to don the crown?”

The king, half-reclining on the cushions, smiled and asked, “What do you think?”

The queen replied, “Even a bride’s adornment could be completed in this time. How can it take so long to wear the crown…?”

At that moment, the royal attendant sought permission to enter. The attendant brought the news, “Your Majesty, in their quarrels, the nobles have killed each other. The minister, the commander, and the chief advisor have all perished.”

The king first looked at the queen and then asked the attendant, “How did you survive?”

The attendant replied, “Your Majesty, I survived because I did not participate in the race to wear the crown.”

Now it was the queen’s turn to ask questions. She asked, “Do you not like ruling?”

The attendant replied, “Forgive me, Your Majesty! Everyone likes ruling, but if one could become a king simply by wearing the crown, then every jester in the world would have become a king.”