"Oh great and illustrious one, tell me your dream, and I shall tell you its meaning."
"I dreamed that all my teeth fell out." The emperor leaned forward. "Tell me its truths."
"Oh my liege, what an unfortunate dream. I am cursed to have to tell you its meaning!"
The emperor leaned forward with some menace ... "Tell me."
"Surely you have as many children as you have teeth ..." began the hapless sooth-sayer ...
"Yes ..."
"Your dream means they will all die!"
"Feed him to the crocodiles, and bring me another sooth-sayer!"
There was a short pause before the court attendees could bring another sooth-sayer, but one was found, one that was full of confidence and assurance. He was brought before the emperor, and said:
"Oh great and illustrious one, tell me your dream, and I shall tell you its meaning."
"I dreamed that all my teeth fell out." The emperor leaned forward. "Tell me its truths."
"Oh my liege, what a fortunate dream. I am blessed to be the one to tell you its meaning!"
The emperor leaned back, feeling reassured ... "Tell me."
"Surely you have as many children as you have teeth ..." he began ...
The emperor now leaned forward, his eyes narrowed, and hint of menace crept into his voice ... "Yes ..."
"Your dream simply means that you will outlive them all!"
"Give him gold, and jewels, and a house with servants. Henceforth he is to be my most trusted advised and confidante. Provide for his every need. He will be my friend." The emperor leaned back in his throne with a smile on his lips.
As the sooth-sayer was led away, a gentle murmur followed him. Finally, one of the attendants was bold enough to say, "But your interpretation was identical! The children will all die before the emperor! Why are you being rewarded for such terrible news?!"
The sooth-sayer smiled gently.
"It's not what you say, but how you say it."