Politeness

Once upon a time, the King of Great Britain went for a visit to his country side dressed himself as a farmer, to review the condition of its people. On his way he saw a military camp. The army Captain was sitting on a chair with his legs on a table & smoking a cigar.

The farmer (King) goes to the man and asks "can you show me the way to Pittsburgh?", the Captain did not answer. Farmer (King) asks again "sir, can you show me the way to Pittsburgh?". The Captain kicks the farmer and shouts "do you know whom you are talking to". The farmer (King) fell on the ground and some dust entered his mouth. He gets up cleans his face & says humbly "you look to be in the army, you must be a soldier"

"No" shouted the Captain, "senior than that".

"Then you must be a Sergeant" said the farmer (King)

"No, senior than that"

"Then you must be a Commander"

"senior than that"

"Then are you a lieutenant?"

"even senior then that"

"Are you a Captain?"

"Yes, I am a Captain of the British Army" he said proudly

"I am so sorry, I asked a Captain to show me the way to Pittsburgh" said the farmer (King)

Wondering how the poor man knows so much about army rankings he asked him out of his curiosity "how do you know so much about army rankings? were you in army anytime?"

" Yes, I am a soldier" Even the King is considered as one of the Soldiers of the Army.

"oh! so what position you are, a sergeant?" the Captain inquired further

"No, senior than that"

"OK, so you are a commander?"

"No, senior than that"

"a lieutenant?"

"No, senior than that"

"Are you a Captain?"

"No, senior than that"

The cigar came off the Captain's mouth and he took the legs came down from the table "are you a Major?"

"No, senior than that"

The Captain stands up, gives an attention position and salutes the man "Sir, are you a General?"

"No, senior than that"

The Captain was perspiring and his heart started beating high "Sir, then are you the Field Master?"

"No, senior than that"

Only the King was senior than the Field Master. The Captain realised his mistake. he was shivering as if cold caught him. He took out his revolver and offered it to the King "If a person even curses you, we shoot him. I conducted this sin of kicking you. Please take this revolver & kill me. It should be my punishment."

The King replies humbly "I am not a fool to kill one of my brave and patriot Captains. But you need to learn a lessen. When you realised that I am the King, you became humble and polite. Ensure this every time you talk to anyone. Think as if the King is with you all the time. Behave with all like you behave with me."

Being polite is not related to any factors like position, status etc. it should be practiced with all as we all are equal in the eyes of our creator.

- Excerpts from a philosopher's lecture