KING LION MEETS HIS CRITICS

A Communist Fable

IN Communist countries, home truths are best disguised as fiction. The following remarkable fable, written by Czech Author Jiri Marek, appeared recently in the Prague Communist weekly Literarni Noviny.

IN the kingdom ruled by King Lion much has recently been said about opening the door for criticism. This is disconcerting--not for those who criticize (they for the most part are irresponsible creatures), but for the responsible officials. Open the door--why not? But who will have the strength to slam it when the time comes?

For this reason King Lion thought deeply and (with due regard to what is possible) gave an order that attention should be paid to criticism. The monkeys, pointing to their ability to climb, offered to help.

"No, no," said King Lion. "As far as we are concerned, the investigation of criticism and grievances shall be entrusted to select creatures, such as are respected and know how to deal with problems."

So he appointed the tiger, the wolf, and the fox to examine carefully all critical manifestations of discontent and draw conclusions accordingly.

The Tiger. The tiger settled down in a place frequented by animals on their way to drink. Naturally, the animals hesitated. But then, after repeated appeals that nobody should hesitate to make bold criticism, the gazelle came forward.

"Excellent," said the tiger. "Do not be shy, my dear friend, and tell me, without fear and with regard to principles. What is the matter?"

"The matter is," said the gazelle, "that our pastures are too far from here. We spend half the day on our journey to them. We have complained everywhere, but in vain. What sort of a concern for the voice of the working people is this?"

"You are quite right. The pastures are too far. Your suggestion is, I take it, to move them to a nearby spot. Dear me! What a difficult problem it is! Still I shall solve it somehow, depend upon it."

The gazelle thanked him, and the tiger looked at her with evident delight. As she was leaving the office he jumped at her and devoured her.

"One must proceed with due regard to what is possible," he said to himself.

The Wolf. "Just tell me, and as far as possible in detail," said the wolf, receiving in his office the complaints of the lamb. "You have no idea how important it is to explain exactly what is the matter. If you don't, justice cannot be done. Have no fears, it is only between you and me."

The lamb was very pleased and explained at great length all the wrongs done to him. He listed all his enemies --the fox, the leopard, the lynx, the tiger, omitting only the wolf, for obvious reasons.

The wolf was sincerely moved."Such a fine lamb and so many enemies: Where are we heading for?" the wolf asked himself.

"This is no life, my friend," he said at last, genuinely grieved. "I shall seek remedy."

In order to put an end to the lamb's anxieties about his many enemies, he ate him.

The Fox. The fox received a delegation of frightened hens. He had a friendly chat with them all, and in no way did he take advantage of his slyness to deceive the petitioners and the critics.

On the contrary, he admitted, self-critically, that his knowledge of the life in a henhouse was far from profound and asked for permission to study the welter of problems on the spot. Within a short space of time the fox put on three kilos.

The Lion. One day the lion remembered his decision and summoned the appointed investigators. "How is the work?"

"Collective," they replied.

"I am glad to hear that," replied the lion. "And what about grievances?"

"They are under consideration," whispered the tiger, respectfully.

"There are many," sighed the fox. "One does not know sometimes where to turn first."

"Quite so," said the wolf. "We are doing our best."

"That is what I had in mind." The lion was satisfied. "Does anyone come to complain twice, I wonder?"

"Never." The three told the truth in one voice.

"That is how it should be," said the lion. "Enter the decision," he called to the scribe, the most learned marabou. "Put down that it was found, after a discussion and thorough screening, that the special branch for the handling of complaints has proved uncommonly successful. Do your ranks need reinforcement?"

"No, sir," said the tiger. "My family is helping me a little."

King Lion lay down again.

"I am a just ruler and am doing my best," he said to himself before falling asleep.

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