This Too Shall Pass - Wendi Webber

This Too Shall Pass
Adapted from an Old Zen Story, by Wendi Webber

There's a story about a king who, recognizing his responsibility to rule wisely, called upon his counsellors to help him. He wanted to avoid becoming too self-absorbed because he knew that it caused him emotional blindness. So he asked his counselors to present him with a method by which he could avoid becoming excessively sad (depressed) or excessively happy (manic).
One by one his counselors offered suggestions, and one by one each method failed. Needless to say, the king was not amused!

Now, in days of old, it was the court jester's job to keep the king from becoming too inflated (self-important). This was a dangerous job if you caught the king in a bad mood and made fun of him! Many a court jester lost his head in the course of his duty! However, this court jester was a wily character, and while the king's counselors were advising the king, the jester was having a special gold ring forged for the king. When it was ready, he presented it to the king as the solution to the problem.

The king's temper was decidedly short this day. He had grown impatient with his counselors and was about ready to order another beheading to lighten his spirits. When presented with a simple gold ring he roared, "How is THIS supposed to be a solution? How can a simple gold ring prevent me from becoming too happy or too sad?"

The jester smiled and said, "My Lord, no one can prevent you from feeling happy or feeling sad .... Your Majesty has a right to every feeling."

The king bristled a bit at the jester's insolence, but he had to admit, as king he had a right to everything, including his feelings."

Keeping his head (literally, at least, thus far) the jester continued, "However, should his Lordship find that he is feeling excessively happy, or excessively sad, all you need do is but read the inscription inside the ring. Therein lies your solution."

The king now looked once again at the simple gold ring, this time to read the inscription. As he slowly turned the ring around, the frown melted from his face. Turning the ring around again, a smirk formed, and then with a grin. Each time the king turned the ring his smile broadened until finally, the king was laughing aloud, so heartily that the court was abuzz with curiosity. No one was more surprised than the jester, however, when the king presented the jester with rewards befitting a nobleman - riches, lands, and a title.

The jester's gift to the king proved effective throughout the reign of the king. Whenever the king felt too sad, he turned to the ring and the inscription therein provided the solution. Whenever the king felt too happy, he turned to the ring, so that the king was able to maintain a balanced perspective in all matters. As a result he ruled wisely and with compassion and understanding, often calling upon his closest advisor and confidant, who had once been a court jester.

And the inscription?
"This too shall pass."