There was a king who thought he could paint very well. His pictures were very bad but the people to whom he showed them were afraid to tell him…

There was a king who thought he could paint very well. His pictures were very bad but the people to whom he showed them were afraid to tell him thetruth. They all said that his pictures were wonderful and they liked them very much. One day the king showed his pictures to a great painter who lived in his country and said, "I'd like to know what you think of my pictures. Do you like them? " The painter looked at king's pictures and said, "My king, I believe that your pictures are bad and you will never be a good artist.» The king got very angry and sent the painter to prison. Two years had passed and the king wanted to see the painter again. "I was angry with you,» he said, "because you didn't like my pictures. Now you're a free man again and I am your friend. " The dinner was wonderful. And they enjoyed it very much. After dinner the king showed his pictures to the painter again and asked, "Well, how do you like them now? " The painter turned to a soldier who was standing behind him and said, "Take me back to prison. "