the king of madagao, being engaged in a dispute with the king of bornegascar, wrote him as follows:

“before proceeding further in this matter i demand the recall of your minister from my capital.”

greatly enraged by this impossible demand, the king of bornegascar replied:

“i shall not recall my minister. moreover, if you do not immediately retract your demand i shall withdraw him!”

this threat so terrified the king of madagao that in hastening to comply he fell over his own feet, breaking the third commandment.