Explore "Two Kings" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The King of Madagao, being engaged in a dispute with the King of
Bornegascar, wrote him as follows:
"Before proceeding further in this matter I demand the recall of your
Minister from my capital."
Greatly enraged by this impossible demand, the King of Bornegascar replied:
"I shall not recall my Minister. Moreover, if you do not immediately / retract your demand I shall withdraw him!"
This threat so terrified the King of Madagao that in hastening to comply / he fell over his own feet, breaking the Third Commandment.