The Scribe's Warning
A great and powerful empire needed the wood from its western areas to build palaces and homes forthe emperor and his friends.Because the citizens felt persecuted by the emperor, they remained neutral.If he had heeded the words of the scribe, then the citizens might have been the victors.The trees were important to the western areas' economy.Tables were loaded with food, and fires burned warmly in every fireplace.The emperor sat up upon his throne, and the scribe stood in front of him.Upon hearing the scribe's request, the emperor's bad temper surfaced.The emperor felt no pity for the citizens of the western area.They didn't fight the invaders but allowed them to march freely to the capital.However, the empire had depleted many of the forests.With no trees to sell, the commerce in that area was reduced.Citizens could no longer purchase the goods that they needed to survive.He mocked the scribe.