King Canute

There’s an old story, of King Canute of Denmark and England.  They say that after hearing once too often from his courtiers and advisors that he was the Great King, to whom the whole world was obedient, he had them carry his throne to the water’s edge at low tide.  Seating himself, he ordered the tide not to rise.

It rose.

Drawing himself up with great dignity, he commanded the tide to come no further.

It rose.

In his most commanding voice, Canute threatened the sea with all the powers at his command.

Yet the tide still rose.

Canute made his point: some things are bigger even than kings.

Or Presidents.