A long time ago, in a distant kingdom, there lived a king and a queen. They had a young prince who was very brave and kind. The only problem with the prince was that he didn’t like vegetables.
His father was getting old, so the prince would soon take his father’s place and become king.
The prince had many thoughts before he was to become king. One day, he called upon the great teacher of the kingdom.
“Welcome, good teacher,” said the prince.
“What troubles you, dear prince?” asked the great teacher.
“I will soon become king, but I don’t know if I will be a good king! I don’t know what makes a good king,” said the prince.
“Do you eat vegetables?” asked the great teacher.
“Yes, I do! But I don’t like vegetables!” replied the prince.
“Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but there is so much that vegetables can teach us. Here lie your answers to all your questions!” said the great teacher.
The prince couldn’t understand what the great teacher was saying.
The great teacher then said: “Sometimes you need to be a king with a crown on your head, other times you must be a pumpkin, growing humbly on the ground. Sometimes you must be a carrot, beautiful, slender, and tall, but also as kind as a potato. In front of criminals, you must be like a beetroot, your decisions bitter and harsh.
The prince was shocked to hear how the great teacher spoke about vegetables.
The great teacher continued: “Sometimes you need to be like the green peas – strong in numbers, and sometimes you will be alone, but strong like the cucumber. Just like the deep red juice of a beetroot, your words should leave a mark. But in front of the elders and teachers, you should be clear like a radish. Sometimes you should make your enemies cry like the smell of an onion, but like the generous cauliflower, you should keep your people happy!”
“Wow! What a lesson that was! It solves all my problems,” said the prince and thanked the great teacher. “I am glad to help you, oh future king!” said the great teacher with a smile on his face. From that day, the prince ate all his vegetables, and he became the best king the kingdom could ever have.
