KRÓL CHORY I LISY
by Adam Mickiewicz · from Bajki
Adapted Version
The Lion King was sick. He felt very bad. He stayed in his home. He sent a message. It was a royal order. His helpers wrote it down. They sent it to all folk. All folk must read it. The King wanted guests. He wanted to feel better.
The message said to come. All folk must choose friends. These friends would visit the King. They would wish him well. They would wish him a long life. The King wanted to see them. He wanted good wishes. He wanted many friends. They must come to his home.
The sheep heard the message. The donkeys heard it too. They held meetings. They chose who would go. They wanted to visit the King. They got ready quickly. They were happy to go. They liked the King. They thought it was good.
Other folk also got ready. They came from the fields. They came from the forests. They wanted to see the King. They planned to go soon. They packed their bags. They were excited. They wanted to help. They believed the message.
But the foxes did not go. They did not choose guests. They waited. They did not rush. They were wise. They talked among themselves. They thought about the message. They were not sure. They wanted to know more.
A Wise Fox spoke. He was an old fox. He knew many things. He saw tracks near the King's home. He watched for a long time. This was why they waited. He had a secret. He saw a strange thing. He told the other foxes.
Many tracks went to the King's home. Folk walked to him. But no tracks came back. No folk walked away. They did not return. This was strange. The Wise Fox saw this. He saw it each day. He thought it was bad.
The foxes heard the Wise Fox. They knew what it meant. They did not go to the King. They stayed in their homes. They were safe. They listened to the Wise Fox. His words were good. They were very smart. They did not visit.
The foxes were safe. They looked and thought first. Always be wise!
Original Story
KRÓL CHORY i LISY.
„Na ukaz jego lwiej mości,
Dany do nas (z Jaskiniewska
Zbójskiego, gdzie dla słabości
Zdrowia ma jego królewska
Mość pobyt) do gabinetu
Ministrów, my z ich kompletu
Zamianowani być przy nim
Na służbie, wiadomo czynim:
Po pierwsze: Z obywatelstwa
Drapieżnego, tudzież stanu
Bydlego, wybrać poselstwa
Z tem, iżby wskutek uchwały
Powiatów, one udały
Się najjaśniejszemu panu
Życzyć, w najpoddańszy sposób,
Cojaknajdłuższego życia.
Powtóre: posłów brać z osób
Zaszczytnie nam znanych z tycia,
Dan: rezydencya letnia
Jaskiniewsk pierwszego kwietnia,
Przyczem, ministra rozkazem,
Postanowiono zarazem
Posłom z ich towarzyszami,
W tej podróży nadzwyczajnej,
Kazać jechać z paszportami
Ze lwiej kancelaryi tajnej;
Zaczem niech się nikt nie waży,
Ani w policyjnej straży,
Ani nawet z dygnitarzy,
Posła ukąsić lub drapnąć,
A tem mniej w pół drogi capnąć.”
Na ten rozkaz ode dworu,
Baraństwo, tudzież stan ośli,
Pierwsi sejmikować pośli;
Pilnując się onych toru,
Wszyscy inni z pól i z borów
Zgromadzić się mają dzisia;
Tylko jedna giełda lisia
Wstrzymuje się od wyborów.
Zkądże im ta taktyka i co jej powodem?
Wydał to jeden stary urzędnik, lis rodem.
„Uważam, rzekł, już dawno trop wszelkiego zwierza
Przed i za Jaskiniewskiem; upewniam was o tem,
Że pełno zewsząd śladów ku monarsze zmierza,
Ale żadnego nie widać z powrotem.”
Story DNA
Moral
Be wary of those in power who invite you into their domain but never allow anyone to leave.
Plot Summary
A sick Lion King issues a royal decree, inviting all animal subjects to send delegates to his summer residence to wish him well, promising safe passage. While other animals eagerly prepare to comply, the fox community hesitates. An old, wise fox reveals his observation: many tracks lead towards the King's dwelling, but none ever return. Recognizing the deadly trap, the foxes wisely choose not to send any envoys, thus saving themselves from the King's predatory intentions.
Themes
Emotional Arc
naivete to realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Adam Mickiewicz was a major figure of Polish Romanticism, often using fables and allegories to comment on social and political issues, particularly during a time when Poland was partitioned.
Plot Beats (10)
- The Lion King, ailing, issues a royal decree from his summer residence, Jaskiniewsk.
- The decree commands all 'predatory' and 'bovine' citizens to select envoys to visit him and wish him a long life.
- It specifies that envoys must be 'distinguished' and travel with special passports from the 'secret lion's chancellery'.
- The decree strictly forbids any harm or capture of the envoys by anyone, including police or dignitaries.
- Upon receiving the order, the sheep and donkey communities immediately begin their assemblies to choose representatives.
- Other animals from fields and forests also prepare to gather.
- Only the fox community holds back from selecting its delegates, causing a delay.
- An old fox official explains their hesitation, stating he has long observed tracks around Jaskiniewsk.
- He notes that many tracks lead towards the monarch's residence, but none are seen returning.
- The foxes, understanding the implication, wisely avoid the King's invitation.
Characters
The Sick King
A large, powerful lion, though currently weakened by illness. His once muscular frame might show signs of emaciation, and his movements are likely slow and deliberate. His fur, typically a majestic golden-brown, may appear duller or matted in places due to his sickness. Despite his current state, he retains an imposing presence.
Attire: As a lion, he wears no clothing. His 'attire' is his fur and mane, which are described as being in a state reflecting his illness.
Wants: To maintain his authority and receive expressions of loyalty from his subjects, possibly to feel reassured in his weakened state.
Flaw: His illness makes him vulnerable and perhaps less discerning. He is easily flattered and does not perceive the danger his 'hospitality' poses.
He remains largely unchanged within the story fragment, continuing to rule from his sickbed, unaware of the true intentions or fate of his visitors.
Authoritative, demanding, somewhat isolated due to his illness, perhaps a touch paranoid or easily swayed by flattery given his decree.
The Old Fox Official
A lean, agile fox with a slightly stooped posture, indicative of age and long years of observation. His fur, typically reddish-brown, might be somewhat faded or grizzled, especially around the muzzle and ears. He moves with a quiet, observant grace.
Attire: As an animal, he wears no clothing. His 'attire' is his fur, which is described as being that of an old fox.
Wants: To protect his fellow foxes from potential harm by discerning the true nature of the King's invitation.
Flaw: His cautious nature might be perceived as reluctance or fear by others, though in this case, it is a strength.
He serves as the voice of reason and insight, preventing his community from falling into a trap. He doesn't change, but his wisdom guides others.
Astute, cautious, wise, observant, skeptical, and a keen analyst of patterns.
Locations
Jaskiniewsk (The Lion King's Den)
The King's royal residence, described as a 'Zbójskiego' (robber's/brigand's) den, implying a rugged, possibly cave-like or fortified structure. It serves as the summer residence and the place where the ailing King Lion is recuperating.
Mood: Authoritative, yet with an underlying sense of illness and perhaps danger, given the 'robber's den' implication and the King's sickness.
The King issues a decree from here, summoning envoys from all animals. It's the destination for all the animal delegations.
The Path to Jaskiniewsk
The route leading to the King's residence in Jaskiniewsk. It is characterized by numerous tracks of animals going towards the den, but conspicuously, no tracks returning.
Mood: Initially hopeful and dutiful for the traveling envoys, but increasingly ominous and suspicious as the lack of returning tracks is observed.
This is where the old fox official observes the crucial detail about the one-way tracks, leading to the foxes' decision not to participate.
Foxes' Assembly Place
The gathering place for the fox community, where they hold their 'stock exchange' (giełda lisia) and discuss the King's decree. It's a place of strategic deliberation.
Mood: Cautious, intelligent, and strategic, contrasting with the naive obedience of other animals.
The foxes decide not to send envoys after the old fox reveals his observation about the one-way tracks to the King's den.