Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/43

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Story VI

as a wolf cannot be a shepherd. A Pâdshâh who established oppression destroys the basis of the wall of his own reign."

The King, displeased with the advice of his censorious vizier, sent him to prison. Shortly afterwards the sons of the King's uncle rose in rebellion, desirous of recovering the kingdom of their father. The population, which had been reduced to the last extremity by the King's oppression and scattered, now assembled around them and supported them, till he lost control of the government and they took possession of it.

A Pâdshâh who allows his subjects to be oppressed will in his day of calamity become a violent foe. Be at peace with subjects, and sit safe from attacks of foes, because his subjects are the army of a just Shâhanshâh.

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