Uncalculating Zeal
Story Summary
In the Kingdom of Damnasia, a man-eating tiger terrorizes the populace, prompting the King to offer his daughter Zodroulra as a reward for the beast's slayer. Camaraladdin, seeking fame, claims the reward without confronting the tiger, instead presenting the scalp of a wealthy man, leading to his execution by the King. This culturally significant moral story illustrates the dangers of misguided ambition, suggesting that sometimes, uncalculated zeal can cost more than one anticipates, as the millionaire could have been a solution to the tiger problem.
A man-eating tiger was ravaging the Kingdom of Damnasia, causing great concern for the lives and limbs of the King's royal subjects. In a desperate attempt to protect his people, the King promised his daughter, Zodroulra, to any man who could kill the beast.
Days passed, and eventually, a man named Camaraladdin appeared before the King, claiming the reward. The King, intrigued yet skeptical, asked, "But where is the tiger?"
With a dramatic flair, Camaraladdin replied, "May jackasses sing above my uncle's grave if I dared go within a league of him!"
Outraged, the King unsheathed his consoler-under-disappointment and exclaimed, "Wretch! How dare you claim my daughter when you have done nothing to earn her?"
Camaraladdin, undeterred, responded, "Thou art wiser, O King, than Solyman the Great, and thy servant is as dust in the tomb of thy dog, yet thou err. It is true that I did not 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."
Furious, the King drew his consoler-under-disappointment and, flicking off Camaraladdin's head, declared, "Learn, caitiff, the expediency of uncalculating zeal. If the millionaire had been left alone, he would have devoured the tiger."
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that reckless ambition and greed can lead to unintended consequences, and sometimes it's better to leave certain matters alone rather than pursuing them with uncalculated zeal.
Historical Context
This story draws on themes common in folklore and fairy tales, particularly within Middle Eastern and South Asian traditions, where cleverness and irony often lead to unexpected outcomes. Its narrative echoes the moral lessons found in tales like those of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" and elements of "The Arabian Nights," emphasizing the folly of greed and the dangers of underestimating the consequences of one's actions. The tale also reflects broader cultural values regarding honor, bravery, and the complexities of human motives, revealing how wealth and ambition can be as perilous as the beasts that threaten civilization.
Our Editors Opinion
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of misguided ambition in modern life, where people often chase wealth and status without considering the broader implications of their actions. For instance, in a corporate setting, an employee might sabotage a colleague to climb the corporate ladder, only to find that their actions create a toxic work environment that ultimately harms their own career.
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Other names for this story
"Zeal Without Measure, The Price of Ambition, A King's Dilemma, The Tiger's True Rival, Fortune's Fatal Flaw, Sacrificing for Gold, The Cost of Greed, Kingdom's Reckoning"
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the themes of greed and the consequences of misplaced priorities, as the king's desire for wealth leads him to overlook the real danger posed by the tiger, ultimately resulting in the downfall of an opportunistic character who misjudges the situation.
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