King Canute by William Makepeace Thackeray. Short summary

5 seconds

The king on the ocean shore lamented his old age. The bishop began to flatter, claiming that the elements were submissive to the king. Canute ordered the surf to stop. Canute realized his futility, but the flatterers did not cease.

1 minute

King Canute strolled along the shore of the ocean. The nobles and servants followed him. The king was in a bad mood. The prime minister asked what ailment was gnawing at him. The king confessed that he felt old and sinful.

«Your Majesty need not worry about the latter. — reassured him the bishop. — He who robbed the nations but sacrificed for the Church is clean before God.» The King said that he foresaw his imminent death. The Prime Minister said that the king was strong and would live another half century.

The bishop wanted to serve himself. He rebuked the Prime Minister for not giving the king enough time. A century, no less! The bishop gave examples of Old Testament prophets who lived for 300 years. He remembered Joshua, who stopped time, the sun and the moon.

Canute asked if it was under his authority to do the same. The bishop flatteringly said that all the elements were submissive to the monarch. Canute ordered the ocean to stop the surf, but the waves kept rolling ashore.

Canute realized his futility. However, the world is still full of flatterers.