King Tewodros and the Dead Guard
Narrated by Worku Mersha
King TewodrosKing Tewodros II, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855-68, was a moderniser who wished his country to learn from the West. Unfortunately relations with Britain (from whom he received no artillery) soured, and he took a number of British subjects and other westerners - who included missionaries - as hostages. This led to a British invasion (1867-8), which secured the release of the hostages. Tewodros committed suicide. used to say to the British missionary, “Don’t bring Bibles, bring rifles.”
So Queen Victoria sent him artillery.
So when he received the artillery, he wanted to try it out, but PatriarchHead of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Salama advised him not to try it.
“One of the guards shall try it.”
So the guard tried it first. But the bullet came out backwards and killed the guard. So the Emperor (Tewodros) declared that all people should mourn for the dead guard because he took the place of the king.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|