The Trumpeter’s Fault

Sham S. Misri

Long time ago, a dispute arose between two countries regarding their border territory. As the two armies were fighting against each other in a battle field over it, there was an announcement. The battle came to a standstill.  A trumpeter, who was making the announcement and was bravely leading on the soldiers on one side, was captured by the enemy. He cried out to his captors, "Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause or without inquiry. I have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry nothing but this one brass trumpet."

 "That is the very reason for which you should be put to death," they said; "for, while you do not fight yourself, your trumpet moves all the others to battle."