'The power of unselfishness

The power of unselfishness

When Alexander the Great was storming one of the cities of Malli, in India, having forced the gate open, he made his way at the head of one of his columns to the citadel where the besieged force had retreated. Impatient that the work of scaling the citadel's wall did not progress as fast as he desired, he seized a ladder, planted it himself, and was the first to ascend.

Seeing the king alone, and in great danger, the soldiers made such a rush to the rescue, that the scaling ladders broke beneath the over-weight, and Alexander was left in the midst of his enemies with only three soldiers, who had gotten up before the ladders' broke.

Nothing daunted, the great soldier leaped inside the wall, and stood like a tiger at bay, until he fell exhausted by the loss of blood. One of his comrades had been killed outright, but the other two locked their shields together over their king's prostrate body, and though dripping from many a wound, whirled their swords fiercely in their other hands, keeping off their enemies.

Meanwhile, the Macedonians forced an entrance, and enraged beyond control at the supposed death of their king, they literally wiped the town from the face of the earth.

Turn back the story's page, and you will find the reason for this devotion to their leader. During the pursuit of Darius, after marching four hundred miles in eleven days, when but sixty of his men could keep up with him, and all were dying, it seemed, of thirst, a helmetful of water was handed to Alexander. He declined to drink one drop, because there was not enough for all.

This was the secret of the king's marvelous influence over his soldiers. There is no power of wealth or genius or position or fame, so strong as the power of unselfishness .

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