Long ago, there was a King in Uganda who was very unkind to his people. The people were afraid of the King. Every day, he thought of new ways to distress and trouble people. No one in his kingdom was safe and happy. Though it was a beautiful country and the Sun shone every day and the birds sang, there was sorrow and misery everywhere. One day, the King sent for Walukaga, the chief of the blacksmiths. The King wanted him to do some work for him as he was a clever man. The King wanted him to take the iron and change it into a man. Not just a statue, but a real one with flesh and blood, one that can walk and talk and do everything that a real man does. Walukaga was shocked. He bowed and went away very sad.
The Madman
As Walukaga was going home, thinking that his days were numbered, he met a friend who had now become mad and lived alone. The madman recognised Walukaga and greeted him with joy. He asked the blacksmith, “Why are you looking so sad?” Walukaga thought in his heart, ‘I have very few days to live; let me do on act of kindness while I can.’ So, he took the madman aside and told him the story of the King’s demand. The madman gave him some advice, and they went home. Walukaga thought over the madman’s words and then he went back to the King and asked for an audience. When the King saw him, he laughed and said, “Have you made the man yet at your forge?” Then, Walukaga said to the King what he needed before he began his work on the iron man.
Walukaga said that the task was difficult and he needed a special type of charcoal. This charcoal is made of human hair and he required three large sacks of it! Then, the King sent his messengers throughout the kingdom and ordered the people to shave their heads and send their hair to Walukaga. But when it was burnt, there was not enough charcoal to fill even a single sack. Then, Walukaga went again to the King and said: “Your Majesty, before I can forge a man I must have water.” But he did not want ordinary water. He wanted tears of men and women, for it takes many tears to make one human life. He asked for three pots full of tears. The King ordered everyone in the kingdom to collect their tears and send them to Walukaga the blacksmith.
The entire kingdom was full of sorrow and the people cried every day. Still, only one water pot was full. The King was upset, “We shall never be able to collect all the charcoal and the water that Walukaga needs. Ask him to come and meet me immediately.” Walukaga approached the King. “ Walukaga,” he said, “You have asked something impossible. People can never grow enough hair to produce so much of charcoal, nor weep enough tears to fill the water-pots. I, therefore, free you from your task.” Walukaga was grateful to the king. He said that the task given to him was also impossible. He could never had made a living iron man. All the people laughed and the King allowed Walukaga to go home. Now, in Uganda when a man is puzzled and does not know what to do, his friends say, “Find a madman and seek his advice.”
