Once the king invited three artists to paint the picture of his late uncle.
The king’s uncle was blind in one eye. “If you do a bad portrait, I will punish you,” he warned,
“but if you do a good one I will reward you. Now start!” The first artist produced a picture that showed the king’s uncle as he was: blind in one eye. The king had him executed for showing disrespect to his monarch.
The second artist showed him with both eyes intact. The king had him flogged for trying to flatter him.
The third artist drew him in profile, showing only his good eye. The king, pleased, rewarded him with gold and honours.
