The New Pharaoh
A long time ago in the seventh dynasty of ancient Egypt, a pharaoh died unexpectedly. Having no heirs, his brother Karnu was the only one left to become ruler of the great land. However, distraught by his brother’s death and not wanting anyone to think that he had anything to do with it, he stated that he would not take the throne. Luckily, his brother’s magi and longtime loyal servant to the family was there.
Imok was a magi who was now on his fourth generation of Pharaohs within this family, having started when Karnu’s grandfather was king, and he had seen what instability could do to a land and its people, and knew that the young man, despite his hesitations, would be a great leader. Upon hearing the young man’s protests, he came up with a plan and responded seemingly in agreement saying, “It’s understandable why you do not want to be Pharaoh. The pressures and demands of leadership are harsh and there is always doubt about the motives of those around you, but surely, young prince, you will sit on the throne for a short period of time in order to aid in the search for a new Pharaoh.”
Karnu agreed that this was logical, and he and the magi spent several weeks searching for another option and weighing different candidates. None of them seemed to be just right, though, and a great celebration was approaching which demanded that the pharaoh host and participate. “Surely you could act as pharaoh and oversee this celebration, and we can get back to finding your replacement once it’s over”, Imok said to the reluctant young king. Karnu agreed and hosted the celebration with much fanfare as the empire celebrated their new king.
After the celebration was over, Karnu was immediately looking for his replacement. It wasn’t much longer before a group of farmers petitioned to see the new pharaoh. He willingly agreed and they informed him that their crops weren’t producing this season and they were worried about how they were going to survive. The old magi saw an opportunity. He made a suggestion saying, “There is need for a new temple in the town, my lord. Perhaps we could hire these men to build it and everyone will be satisfied.” Karnu though this was a superb idea and put the plan into action.
Before he knew it, almost a year had passed and Karnu was still pharaoh. He still wanted to find a replacement, but wasn’t in much of a hurry. To celebrate his first year on the throne, many of the citizens brought him gifts because he had done so much for his people while acting as pharaoh with the old magi by his side, but he still had to find a replacement. One of the gifts was a beautiful gold carving of a sunrise over the desert dunes. It was the most gorgeous thing Karnu had ever seen. He demanded his staff to find who made it and bring them to the palace. Several hours later, his guards returned with an old man and his daughter. Karnu exclaimed that their work was unlike anything he had ever seen and that he would like them to redecorate the whole palace. The duo were thrilled, and Karnu noticed that crafts weren’t the only attractive thing that the craftsman produced, and soon married his daughter.
The empire celebrated their new royal couple, as their queen took her throne. It wouldn’t be for long, though. Karnu still had to find a replacement to take his place as pharaoh. Oh, how devastated his bride would be! Imok could see that his plan was working. It wasn’t long until there was a little prince and princess running around the palace, and the people of the land were as prosperous and happy as they had ever been, and adored their pharaoh. But a great threat was looming from a faraway land. Word soon came that a war party was coming to take over Egypt. This is exactly what Karnu was trying to avoid, and why he didn’t want to be pharaoh!
The old magi, Imok, had seen this happen before, and told the pharaoh that the best kind of victory is one where no battle is fought. Karnu thought about this. How do you win a battle without fighting? He decided to have his wife’s father make the shiniest wall of metal that he could. He gathered everyone from the city and lined them up at the great Nile to meet the oncoming attackers. He stood his people up between the great metal wall and the river. When the opposition approached, they saw what appeared to be the biggest army in the world. They had no idea that such a force could be possible. Little did they know, that due to the reflection of the wall and the river, Egypt’s force appeared to be triple its size. They soon retreated, without ever approaching.
The great pharaoh was celebrated for his clever victory and saving the kingdom. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, Imok the magi passed away after many years of dedication to Egypt. The pharaoh ordered a large service and elaborate funeral for the man who had served him and his family so well. The magi was sent to the afterlife like a pharaoh himself. The entire empire mourned for the loss of their noble servant.
Years went by. The pharaoh’s children were grown and he was still on the thrown. A messenger from a distant part of his kingdom came and informed the great leader that there was a sickness spreading among their village and they needed aid. It had been close to two decades since Karnu’s brother had passed away, leaving him to act as pharaoh. He heard the messenger’s concern and a voice in the back of his mind that sounded like an old magi that he once knew said, “What would a pharaoh do?” After all, Karnu still had to find a replacement.