WEBVTT 00:00:11.708 --> 00:00:15.541 There once lived a king 00:00:15.541 --> 00:00:22.583 who feasted everyday. 00:00:22.583 --> 00:00:26.708 One day, he told his servants, 00:00:26.708 --> 00:00:31.291 "Today, I don’t want to sing or dance. 00:00:31.291 --> 00:00:35.541 Can anybody tell me an interesting story?" 00:00:35.541 --> 00:00:41.208 Yes, I'll try, even if I'm not a good storyteller. 00:00:41.208 --> 00:00:48.916 A long time ago, a peony blossom governed the flower world. 00:00:48.916 --> 00:00:52.708 One day, the peony blossom told his followers, 00:00:52.708 --> 00:00:57.833 “Call all the flowers around the country to the palace. 00:00:57.833 --> 00:01:03.208 I am going to choose the most beautiful flower and 00:01:03.208 --> 00:01:06.666 appoint it as the highest officer.” 00:01:06.666 --> 00:01:14.458 When the flowers heard this news, they scrambled to go to the palace. 00:01:14.458 --> 00:01:20.166 “Your majesty, I’m a china pink, 00:01:20.166 --> 00:01:23.958 a flower often used as a medicine. 00:01:23.958 --> 00:01:28.458 I’m a very invaluable flower." 00:01:28.458 --> 00:01:32.999 “Being used as medicine is nothing. 00:01:32.999 --> 00:01:38.583 If you're a flower, you should be graceful like me.” 00:01:38.583 --> 00:01:46.250 The flowers tried to gain favor with the peony blossom as they bragged about themselves. 00:01:46.250 --> 00:01:52.916 Suddenly, every flower became silent 00:01:52.916 --> 00:01:57.541 when a dazzling beautiful flower appeared. 00:01:57.541 --> 00:02:01.708 “Your Majesty, I’m a rose. 00:02:01.708 --> 00:02:06.541 I have no rival in beauty.” 00:02:06.541 --> 00:02:14.500 The flower bowed politely. Everybody was enchanted with her. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:19.291 “Wow, I’ve never seen such a beautiful flower.” 00:02:19.291 --> 00:02:23.500 “That’s right. She’s so beautiful.” 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:28.250 The rose was really beautiful. 00:02:28.250 --> 00:02:33.958 She had light red make-up. Her white teeth shined when she smiled, 00:02:33.958 --> 00:02:41.375 and she walked with a soft step just like a dancing butterfly. 00:02:41.375 --> 00:02:46.583 “Oh, what a beautiful flower!” 00:02:46.583 --> 00:02:51.541 The peony blossom looked at her in admiration. 00:02:51.541 --> 00:02:54.000 At that moment, 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:59.250 an old flower quietly stepped out from the flowers. 00:02:59.250 --> 00:03:02.750 The old flower’s back was bent 00:03:02.750 --> 00:03:06.291 and her hair was white. 00:03:06.291 --> 00:03:10.500 She wore coarse hemp clothes and an old belt, 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:14.666 and clung to her well-thumbed stick. 00:03:14.666 --> 00:03:22.458 “Why is such an ugly flower here?” 00:03:22.458 --> 00:03:27.625 The flowers whispered ill of the old flower. 00:03:27.625 --> 00:03:33.208 “Your Majesty, I’m a pasque flower. 00:03:33.208 --> 00:03:38.000 I’m neither beautiful nor strong. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:43.750 Since I’ve lived a long time, I was able to hear many stories and 00:03:43.750 --> 00:03:46.916 I am now very knowledgeable 00:03:46.916 --> 00:03:51.208 about all things beneficial to our lives.” 00:03:51.208 --> 00:03:56.208 The pasque flower continued to speak clearly. 00:03:56.208 --> 00:04:02.625 “Just as we prepare medicines, even when we are healthy, 00:04:02.625 --> 00:04:07.416 even if our country is now in peace, 00:04:07.416 --> 00:04:10.833 we have to prepare for our future. 00:04:10.833 --> 00:04:14.291 We must make our country’s budget stronger. 00:04:14.291 --> 00:04:20.458 Our soldiers must be stronger to keep our country in peace." 00:04:20.458 --> 00:04:27.125 "That's right. She really is wise." 00:04:27.125 --> 00:04:30.916 The peony blossom nodded his head. 00:04:30.916 --> 00:04:35.791 “Your Majesty, if you assign me as your follower and let me serve you, 00:04:35.791 --> 00:04:40.041 I'll always work hard for you with full sincerity. 00:04:40.041 --> 00:04:46.041 I will wisely resolve the hardships our country will face.” 00:04:46.041 --> 00:04:50.541 The pasque flower dropped her head modestly. 00:04:50.541 --> 00:04:54.833 “Who do you think would be a good officer?” 00:04:54.833 --> 00:04:59.125 The peony blossom asked his followers. 00:04:59.125 --> 00:05:03.708 Each follower, however, had his or her own opinion. 00:05:03.708 --> 00:05:09.666 “A beautiful flower is a good representative of the flower world." 00:05:09.666 --> 00:05:14.083 "Please, choose the rose." 00:05:14.083 --> 00:05:19.208 “Wisdom is more worth than beauty. 00:05:19.208 --> 00:05:22.875 The pasque flower should be your follower." 00:05:22.875 --> 00:05:28.291 The peony blossom stared at the pasque flower. 00:05:28.291 --> 00:05:33.541 "If I appoint such a wise flower as an officer, 00:05:33.541 --> 00:05:39.125 our country could stay in peace and become a better place for people to live." 00:05:39.125 --> 00:05:43.125 Then, he stared at the rose. 00:05:43.125 --> 00:05:47.541 "If I had such a beautiful follower, 00:05:47.541 --> 00:05:55.541 I would have nothing to envy in the world." 00:05:55.541 --> 00:05:59.583 The peony blossom could not take his eyes off the rose. 00:05:59.583 --> 00:06:03.041 So, the pasque flower said anxiously. 00:06:03.041 --> 00:06:08.541 “Dear Majesty, you should think of your people first. 00:06:08.541 --> 00:06:13.250 Why are you fascinated by her beauty? 00:06:13.250 --> 00:06:16.416 If you still prefer a beautiful follower’s sweet whispers to 00:06:16.416 --> 00:06:21.541 a faithful follower’s sincere advice, then 00:06:21.541 --> 00:06:25.291 "I’ve got to leave right away.” 00:06:25.291 --> 00:06:29.375 “Wait! I was stupid for a moment. 00:06:29.375 --> 00:06:32.541 I’ll need a wise follower like you. 00:06:32.541 --> 00:06:37.458 Please, serve me and take good care of our country," 00:06:37.458 --> 00:06:42.125 The peony blossom stood up suddenly and proclaimed. 00:06:42.125 --> 00:06:45.750 “I really appreciate it, Your Majesty,” 00:06:45.750 --> 00:06:50.416 The pasque flower replied politely. 00:06:50.416 --> 00:06:53.583 “Your Majesty, you’re virtuous and honest. 00:06:53.583 --> 00:06:58.458 The people in the flower world are thus blessed," 00:06:58.458 --> 00:07:02.541 spoke all the flowers in one voice as they bowed deeply. 00:07:02.541 --> 00:07:12.208 After that, the peony blossom governed the flower world very well for a long, long time. 00:07:12.208 --> 00:07:17.916 After the servant finished the story, the king spoke, slapping his knee. 00:07:17.916 --> 00:07:20.916 “That’s a really good story. 00:07:20.916 --> 00:07:24.250 Now I have learned the lesson from the story. 00:07:24.250 --> 00:07:27.541 I’ve really made lots of mistakes.” 00:07:27.541 --> 00:07:32.833 The king ordered the servant to write this story down because he wanted future 00:07:32.833 --> 00:07:39.166 kings to learn the lesson from the story of “The King of the Flower World”. 00:07:39.166 --> 00:07:42.791 He really wants to gain the lesson of the story. 00:07:42.791 --> 00:07:47.125 He is diligently working with his servants 00:07:47.125 --> 00:07:51.083 The king became busy, working for the country. 00:07:51.083 --> 00:07:58.083 Thanks to the diligent and wise king, his people lived happily.