A Message from the Emperor

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"A Message from the Emperor" (German: "Eine kaiserliche Botschaft") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was originally written in German in 1919.

[edit] Plot summary [1]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

An emperor is about to die and he wants to send you (the reader) an important message. He calls his messenger and whispers the message to him. So important is the message that he makes the messenger repeat it in his ear. The messenger runs to deliver the message, but a throng of dignitaries are on his way. He tries to push pass them, but the throng is so thick that he can only make little progress. As such, the messenger can never even leave the gate of the palace. But you sit at your window and dream of it happening.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Kafka (1996, 179–182).

[edit] References

  • Kafka, Franz (1996). The Metamorphosis and Other Stories, trans. Donna Freed. New York: Barnes & Noble. ISBN 1-56619-969-7.
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