Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

The king of tortoises desiring to pay a visit of ceremony to a neighbouring monarch, feared that in his absence his idle subjects might get up a revolution, and that whoever might be left at the head of the State would usurp the throne.  So calling his subjects about him, he addressed them thus: 

“I am about to leave our beloved country for a long period, and desire to leave the sceptre in the hands of him who is most truly a tortoise.  I decree that you shall set out from yonder distant tree, and pass round it.  Whoever shall get back last shall be appointed Regent.”

So the population set out for the goal, and the king for his destination.  Before the race was decided, his Majesty had made the journey and returned.  But he found the throne occupied by a subject, who at once secured by violence what he had won by guile.

Certain usurpers are too conscientious to retain kingly power unless the rightful monarch be dead; and these are the most dangerous sort.