And a next story too. Blessed love:
A few days before a trip to the Nobel Prize Cermony, I had to see the Emperor, as is customary, before my departure. I was asked to be present at the Ghion Hotel grounds. The Emperor frequently went there after five o'clock to visit the horses housed in a stable on the hotel grounds.
I saw Him come from the adjoining Jubilee Palace to the hotel grounds, walking briskly and with a fairly large entourage. He was talking business with two officials and, when they finished, I was presented. He asked what the program looked like and what my expectations were. I stressed that, since the Prize Trust was a new organisation with basically the same broad purpose of recognising excellence, I should learn a lot that could be useful to our work.
As I was offering my comments, I saw an assorted pack of animals rushing straight at the Emperor. I thought they were about to run Him over so I instinctively raised a file folder that I was holding, and using it as a stick, started to steer them away from Him. I heard Him say from behind me, amused and laughing, "It is alright! Leave them alone!"
To my surprise, the security and all others present did not move an inch but watched my actions with amusement. They have seen this eager rush of the animals before. I moved back and watched the animals crowd the Emperor, some of them were nudging him. Palace employees came quickly with a tray of green chickpeas and other green feed, which the Emperor gave to the animals. He was happily responding to their earnestness to take food from His hands. He scolded the over-zealous and fairly distributed some to each.
At one point, he started looking around and asked, "Where is the donkey?" Some one pointed out that is was coming, and we all looked at the direction that he pointed. A limping donkey was approaching as fast as it could. The Emperor walked towards the donkey with the chickpeas, gently touched its head, and started feeding it.
I learned that he had bought the donkey from a farmer who had heavily loaded it with produce that he was taking to the market. The Emperor, upon seeing the handicapped donkey struggling with the load, stopped his car, paid for the donkey and they load, and had the donkey transported to His palace.
He then moved towards the horses' stable, where he again recieved a warm welcome from the horses that started neighing and making loud noises. They recognised Him, as well as the special treat they knew he brought.
After my competition from the animal kingdon was over, the rather informal audience ended, and I took my leave. My attempts to show my valour and protect the Emperor from a great stampede had ended without national attention.
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