The King of the Flowers

Long ago in Korea, every flower in the royal garden bowed to one flower alone: the Peony, king of all blossoms.His petals were the biggest and reddest in the whole garden, and every plant respected his rule.Each spring, flowers from across the land came to the garden to pay him their respects.

The Peach, the Plum, the Pear, and the Persimmon trees all sent their finest blossoms as messengers.Then came shy young flowers too: the pale Tea-Rose, the pink Azalea, and the white Lily, each bowing politely before the king.Last of all came the Cinnamon Rose, dressed in a bright green skirt and red jacket, walking with a proud, confident air.

King Peony had never seen anyone so lively and beautiful, and he could not stop watching her.He invited Cinnamon Rose to stay in the palace and spent every hour by her side.Soon he stopped listening to his ministers entirely, letting them wait for days just to speak with him.

One day a ragged old flower called Old Man arrived at the palace gate, leaning on a wooden staff.King Peony welcomed him kindly and gave him food and a place to rest.When Old Man was finally invited to speak, he bowed and said he had something important to tell the king.

"Your Majesty wears the finest silk in the garden," said Old Man, "but even you need honest advice, just as a sick man needs plain medicine.""I like Cinnamon Rose, and I cannot do without her," the king admitted, blushing."A king who keeps company with the wise grows strong," said Old Man, "but a king who forgets his duties for beauty alone will watch his garden fall."

King Peony thought hard about Old Man's words and realized how many of his duties he had ignored.From that day on, he welcomed his ministers back to his side and ruled the garden wisely once more.And ever since, Koreans have told this story to remind kings — and everyone else — not to let flattering company lead them away from their duties.