Has anyone heard of this story?

[chiiharu]

[EDIT] I can’t remember where I read this or dreamt about this or how and when this story began swirling in my head for the longest time – a story about a King who decided to prove to himself that he has the power to control everything in this world including the destiny of a man.

So the King found a baby, and started writing about how he wanted the baby’s life to unfold. The King wrote about giving the best education to the boy, and provided tutors who taught him arts, science, archery, and horsemanship . When the boy grew up to be a man, the King wrote about how the man joined the military, who he would marry, the wars he fought in, and how his wife later left him. Eventually when the King decided it was time for the man to die, he met the man, and showed him the book about his life.

I can’t remember the ending. Does anyone know? Tell me how would you end this?

[Nick Capozzoli]

I don't recall such a story, but the plot is quite interesting and I'd like to know how it ended. I'd like to think that the man is the hero and has grown up to be a brilliant philosopher/artist as well as a brave and fearsome soldier (kind of a composite of Plato, Pythagoras, Sophocles, and Achilles...). Then when the King showed him the book and told him "Now it's time for you to die," I think it would be nice if the man said, "Thanks for the fine education. So it was you who was responsible for me losing my beloved wife. Well can't say I'm grateful for that. And by the way, I don't feel like dying right now. I'll leave that up to another King. But I do think it is your time to die." Upon saying that, the man drew forth his sword and slew the king. The People accepted the man as their new King, and prospered for many years under his wise reign...

At least that sounds like a nice ending to the story.

[chiiharu]

I don't recall such a story, but the plot is quite interesting and I'd like to know how it ended. I'd like to think that the man is the hero and has grown up to be a brilliant philosopher/artist as well as a brave and fearsome soldier (kind of a composite of Plato, Pythagoras, Sophocles, and Achilles...). Then when the King showed him the book and told him "Now it's time for you to die," I think it would be nice if the man said, "Thanks for the fine education. So it was you who was responsible for me losing my beloved wife. Well can't say I'm grateful for that. And by the way, I don't feel like dying right now. I'll leave that up to another King. But I do think it is your time to die." Upon saying that, the man drew forth his sword and slew the king. The People accepted the man as their new King, and prospered for many years under his wise reign...

At least that sounds like a nice ending to the story.

Thanks for the reply! Now I'm starting to suspect I dreamt about this story. *sweatdrop*

[Nick Capozzoli]

Thanks for the reply! Now I'm starting to suspect I dreamt about this story. *sweatdrop*

Well, if you dreamt it and it isn't a story that has been written, you've got a wonderful plot! Go with it and write your own story!