Once upon a time, in the small German town of Duisendort, there was a famous sculptor named Gruppenlo. His talent was so remarkable that the king commissioned him to create a bronze statue of himself on horseback. Gruppenlo became completely absorbed in the work. He labored day and night, carefully shaping every detail, often working until late at night, determined to make the statue perfect.
When the model was finally complete, Gruppenlo invited the king and his court to view it before casting it in bronze. On the appointed day, the king arrived with his ministers. As Gruppenlo removed the cloth covering the statue, the king stood in awe, completely captivated by the lifelike detail. He turned to Gruppenlo and said warmly, “Truly, Mr. Gruppenlo, this is a perfect likeness. Your reputation is well-deserved. You are indeed a great artist.” The king even shook his hand as though greeting an old friend.
The ministers, however, felt envy rise in their hearts. They could not criticize the king’s portrait directly, but they searched for flaws elsewhere. One minister said, “Mr. Gruppenlo, the king’s portrait is perfect, but the horse’s head seems too large and unbalanced.” Another insisted, “No, it’s the neck that is too long.” A third added, “If you could adjust the right front leg, it would improve the piece even more.” A fourth chimed in, “And the tail is far too stiff.”
Gruppenlo listened calmly and then turned to the king. “If Your Majesty allows, I will note the ministers’ suggestions. May I keep the model here for a few more days?” The king agreed, and a screen was set up around the statue for privacy. Gruppenlo worked quietly inside, day after day. The ministers passed by, smug and confident, thinking, “Finally, he will realize we were right. He cannot be that skilled.”
When the king and his court returned to see the statue, they were once again amazed. The king declared it a masterpiece. This time, the ministers praised the statue: “The head is perfectly balanced,” one said. “The neck is elegant and proportionate,” added another. “The right front leg is flawless,” a third commented. “And the tail looks soft and natural,” the last observed.
The king turned to Gruppenlo and said, “Your ministers seem pleased. They all agree the improvements you made have greatly enhanced the statue.” Gruppenlo smiled and replied, “Your Majesty, the truth is, I did not make a single change.”
The king gasped. “Then what have you been doing all these days?” Gruppenlo answered calmly, “I spent this time quietly humbling the ministers. Their envy was the only reason they looked for flaws, and now they must see the truth. They were mistaken all along.”
The king laughed heartily, while the ministers quietly slipped away from the workshop, one by one, without a word. Gruppenlo had turned their envy into a lesson in humility, showing that true skill speaks for itself.