So he put on his crown and his ermine robe
and sat upon the throne, although he grumbled a good deal at the
necessity; for never having had any business of his own to attend to
he thought it doubly hard that in his old age he must attend to the
business of others.
The first case of dispute was between two men who each claimed to own
a fine cow, and after hearing the evidence, the King ordered the cow
to be killed and roasted and given to the poor, since that was the
easiest way to decide the matter. Then followed a quarrel between two
subjects over ten pieces of gold, one claiming the other owed him that
sum. The King, thinking them both rascals, ordered the gold to be
paid, and then he took it and scattered it amongst the beggars outside
the palace.
By this time King Cole decided he had transacted enough business for
one day, so he sent word to those outside that if anyone had a quarrel
that was not just he should be severely punished; and, indeed, when
the subjects learned the manner in which the King settled disputes,
they were afraid to come to him, as both sides were sure to be losers
by the decision. And that saved King Cole a lot of trouble thereafter,
for the people thought best to settle their own differences.
The King, now seeing he was free to do as he pleased, retired to his
private chamber, where he called for the three fiddlers and made them
play for him while he smoked his pipe and drank a bowl of punch.
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