Uncalculating Zeal
by Ambrose Bierce · from Fantastic Fables
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, in a far-off land. There was a big problem. A scary tiger caused much trouble. It lived near the town. People felt very afraid. They could not go outside. They could not work. The tiger made loud roars. It scared everyone. The King was very sad. He wanted to help his people. The tiger was a big problem. It made all people worry. The King needed a plan.
The King thought for a long time. He wanted the tiger gone. He made a big promise. "Someone must stop this tiger," he said. "Make the tiger leave. I will give a reward. It will be great." The King truly hoped brave men came. He wanted his people to be safe. He wanted peace in his land. He waited for a hero.
One day, a man came to the King. His name was Camal. Camal looked very happy. He walked right up to the King. "I am here!" Camal said. "I want my special reward. I did your task." The King looked at Camal. He did not know Camal. Camal smiled a big smile. He wanted the reward now. He felt very proud.
The King looked at Camal. "Where is the tiger, Camal?" he asked. Camal looked down. He shuffled his feet. "Oh, King," Camal said. "I did not go near the tiger. I was very afraid. The tiger is too scary for me. It has sharp claws. It has big teeth. I did not make the tiger go away."
The King was very cross. His face grew red. "What?" he said. "You did not stop the tiger?" His eyes were hard. The King thought about what to do. Camal had lied. He stood before the King. The King felt much anger. This was a big problem.
Camal saw the King was angry. Camal quickly spoke. "Wait, King!" Camal said. "I brought a new thing." He showed the King it. It was a fancy box. "This is from a very rich man," Camal said. "This man always wanted more and more things. He was never happy. He made others sad. He was a problem too. He was a bad man."
The King looked at the thing. He listened to Camal. The King thought for a moment. He thought very hard. Then, the King made a big choice. "Camal," the King said. "You were afraid of the tiger. That is okay. Many people fear tigers." "But you chose the wrong problem to fix." "The rich man was a big problem, yes." "He always wanted more and more. He was never kind." "But he would have made the tiger go away in his own way." "He would have solved the tiger problem. He would have paid others." "You should have focused on the tiger." The King sent Camal away. All people learned a big lesson that day. It is big to choose the right problem to fix. At times, the biggest problem is not the one you see first.
Original Story
Uncalculating Zeal
A Man-Eating tiger was ravaging the Kingdom of Damnasia, and the King, greatly concerned for the lives and limbs of his Royal subjects, promised his daughter Zodroulra to any man who would kill the animal. After some days Camaraladdin appeared before the King and claimed the reward.
“But where is the tiger?” the King asked.
“May jackasses sing above my uncle’s grave,” replied Camaraladdin, “if I dared go within a league of him!”
“Wretch!” cried the King, unsheathing his consoler-under-disappointment; “how dare you claim my daughter when you have done nothing to earn her?”
“Thou art wiser, O King, than Solyman the Great, and thy servant is as dust in the tomb of thy dog, yet thou errest. I did not, it is true, kill the tiger, but behold! I have brought thee the scalp of the man who had accumulated five million pieces of gold and was after more.”
The King drew his consoler-under-disappointment, and, flicking off Camaraladdin’s head, said:
“Learn, caitiff, the expediency of uncalculating zeal. If the millionaire had been let alone he would have devoured the tiger.”
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, the greater threat is not the obvious one, and misguided zeal can lead to fatal errors.
Plot Summary
A King offers his daughter to anyone who kills a man-eating tiger. Camaraladdin claims the reward but admits he was too afraid to face the tiger. Instead, he presents the scalp of a wealthy man, arguing that the millionaire's insatiable greed made him a greater threat. The King executes Camaraladdin, explaining that the millionaire, left unchecked, would have eventually 'devoured' the tiger himself, highlighting the folly of Camaraladdin's misguided zeal.
Themes
Emotional Arc
expectation to absurdity to grim humor
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Ambrose Bierce was known for his dark humor, cynicism, and satirical critiques of human nature and society, often using fable-like structures to deliver sharp observations.
Plot Beats (7)
- A man-eating tiger is terrorizing the Kingdom of Damnasia.
- The King offers his daughter, Zodroulra, as a reward to anyone who kills the tiger.
- Camaraladdin appears before the King, claiming the reward.
- The King asks where the tiger is, and Camaraladdin admits he was too afraid to go near it.
- The King, angered, prepares to punish Camaraladdin for falsely claiming the reward.
- Camaraladdin defends himself, stating he brought the scalp of a man who had accumulated vast wealth and was still seeking more.
- The King executes Camaraladdin, explaining that the millionaire, driven by his insatiable greed, would have eventually 'devoured' the tiger, making Camaraladdin's intervention misguided and unnecessary.
Characters
The King of Damnasia ◆ supporting
A man of imposing stature, likely of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, with a regal bearing. His build suggests a life of authority and perhaps some physical training, though not necessarily a warrior's physique. His skin tone would be consistent with his regional origin, possibly olive or light brown.
Attire: Richly embroidered robes of silk or brocade in deep jewel tones like sapphire blue or emerald green, possibly with gold thread accents. He would wear a jeweled turban or a crown, signifying his royalty. A wide, ornate sash might cinch his waist.
Wants: To protect his kingdom and subjects from threats, and to maintain order and his own authority.
Flaw: His ruthlessness and quick temper, which lead him to execute those who displease him without much hesitation.
He remains largely unchanged, reinforcing his pragmatic and ruthless nature by the story's end.
Authoritative, pragmatic, decisive, and somewhat ruthless. He values results and expediency above all else.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult male of Middle Eastern descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a stern, authoritative face with a neatly trimmed dark beard and mustache, and deep-set dark eyes. He wears a richly embroidered sapphire-blue silk robe with gold thread accents, a wide ornate golden sash, and a jeweled turban. He holds a curved, silver-bladed scimitar with a jeweled hilt in his right hand. His posture is erect and commanding. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Camaraladdin ★ protagonist
A man of average build, likely of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, perhaps a bit disheveled from his recent 'expedition'. His appearance would not suggest a warrior or a particularly imposing figure.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a commoner or adventurer in a desert or arid region. Perhaps a tunic and trousers made of linen or coarse cotton, possibly with a simple sash. Colors would be earthy tones like sand, brown, or faded blue.
Wants: To gain wealth and status by marrying the princess, without having to face genuine danger.
Flaw: Cowardice, misinterpretation of the King's desires, and a fatal lack of judgment.
His arc is tragic and swift, ending in his execution due to his misinterpretation of the King's challenge.
Opportunistic, cunning, somewhat cowardly (regarding the tiger), and possessing a peculiar, misguided sense of 'zeal'.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult male of Middle Eastern descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has an eager, slightly cunning expression, with dark eyes and short, dark, slightly unkempt hair. He wears a faded brown linen tunic, loose-fitting beige trousers, and a simple rope belt. He holds a gruesome, bloody human scalp in his outstretched right hand. His posture is initially confident but with a hint of nervousness. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Princess Zodroulra ○ minor
A young woman of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, likely of slender and graceful build, befitting a princess. Her beauty would be implied as part of her value as a reward.
Attire: Elegant and flowing garments made of fine silk or chiffon, in rich colors, perhaps adorned with subtle embroidery or delicate jewelry. She would wear a veil or headpiece, common for princesses of her region and era.
Wants: Not directly shown.
Flaw: Not directly shown.
Her fate is tied to the outcome of the challenge, but she has no personal arc within the story.
Not directly shown, but implied to be a valuable prize.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult female of Middle Eastern descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a beautiful, serene face with large, dark almond-shaped eyes and long, dark hair styled in elaborate braids, adorned with small pearls. She wears a flowing gown of deep crimson silk, with delicate gold embroidery along the neckline, and a sheer, matching veil draped over her head. Her posture is graceful and elegant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Throne Room of Damnasia
A formal audience chamber within the royal palace of Damnasia, likely adorned with rich textiles and possibly featuring architectural elements inspired by Southeast Asian royal courts, such as carved wooden panels, high ceilings, and perhaps a raised dais for the King's throne. The atmosphere is initially one of anticipation, then quickly shifts to anger and judgment.
Mood: Formal, tense, authoritative, ultimately violent.
Camaraladdin claims his reward, the King questions him, and Camaraladdin is executed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand throne room in a fictional Southeast Asian kingdom, featuring high, intricately carved wooden ceilings and vermilion lacquered pillars. A raised dais with a gilded throne sits at the far end, bathed in a soft, diffused light filtering through high, latticed windows. The floor is covered in rich, geometric patterned woven mats. The air is still and heavy with formality. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.