There was once a nation in the east that lived calmly. The citizens were happy and food and entertainment were plentiful. These traits, however, were not as strong in the west. Most kingdoms were led by war-mongering and greedy rulers, and those that weren’t were barely standing  from the attacks of their neighbors. The eastern kingdom was not concerned with conflict. Its ruler was well aware of the battles in the west, but he never seemed to show concern for them. “They’re much too busy with fighting their immediate neighbors to worry about us,” he would say to comfort himself. The nation’s army was less than satisfactory, and many soldiers as well as citizens had objected to how little the emperor seemed to care about their safety. He did not heed their warnings. One day, a man from the realm was going out to catch some fish to feed his family, and he saw enemy soldiers coming in from the west. Thoroughly horrified, the man rushed to the emperor’s throne room. Guards tried to stop him, but he violently shoved them out of the way. “My l-liege, th-there’s, there’s..” “Spit it out, or else you will be punished harshly!” the emperor spat impatiently. The man finally managed to say, “There’s enemy soldiers rushing in from the west!” There was silence throughout the entire room. The emperor finally yelled at a guard “Round up the troops!” The servant obliged, and the news spread quickly of what was happening. The nation was in complete and utter turmoil. After not too long, the enemy arrived at the gate. Things did not go in the defending kingdom’s favor. They tried their best to fight off the hoards, but their attempts bared no fruition. Those that survived were taken in as prisoners and turned into slaves. What little remains of the once industrious land is a testament to why you should never ignore potentially dangerous things. Always be prepared.