The Isambo Lyamfwa—the traditional After Burial ceremony—was held on a sacred hill at the heart of the village. It was not a royal affair but a farewell to an ordinary man, one whose only title was Truthful One. His passing marked a turning point, a reckoning for the deception and hypocrisy entrenched in the kingdom’s leadership—both past and present.
By dawn, thousands had gathered. But the council of elders declared that only those who passed a lie detector and hypocrisy test would be granted entry. It was a test few could endure.
A lanky, soft-spoken figure stepped forward, introducing himself as Dr. Sitting Bacon.
“I should go first,” he declared with confidence.
The elders posed a simple question:
Explain the fluctuations of the kwacha and the tax breaks given to foreigners.
He hesitated, stumbling through excuses—global markets, external shocks, unpredictable weather, sheer bad luck. His logic unraveled. His confidence crumbled. He was swiftly denied entry.
Next came a bespectacled woman, gliding forward with self-assurance.
“I am the Silver Mass Health Induna,” she announced.
The elders grilled her:
What do you know about the 67 containers of expired medicine? Why are hospitals running without supplies?
She fumbled for answers, contradicting herself. She too was turned away.
A well-fed Mines Induna lumbered forward, chest puffed out.
What happened to the missing gold? What is the difference between copper and gold? Why have our mines been handed to foreigners?
His confusion was evident. He was sent away without ceremony.
Then came the Lands Induna.
When will you demolish the illegal houses in Forest 27?
He hesitated—his mansion had just been built in the same area. His silence was deafening. Without another word, he was whisked away.
As dusk approached, the Roads Induna took his turn.
Why did you hand over our tollgates to foreigners?
He blinked, unprepared. His ignorance cost him entry.
One by one, the so-called leaders failed the test. Not a single one could pass.
But the biggest question remained:
Would the former king have passed?
Would the current king dare to take the test?
The elders called out for them, but they were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they had a meeting. Or perhaps they both feared the test.
And that is how the commoners took over the kingdom of Zombia—for in a land where all leaders were hypocrites, truth belonged only to the people.
By dawn, thousands had gathered. But the council of elders declared that only those who passed a lie detector and hypocrisy test would be granted entry. It was a test few could endure.
A lanky, soft-spoken figure stepped forward, introducing himself as Dr. Sitting Bacon.
“I should go first,” he declared with confidence.
The elders posed a simple question:
Explain the fluctuations of the kwacha and the tax breaks given to foreigners.
He hesitated, stumbling through excuses—global markets, external shocks, unpredictable weather, sheer bad luck. His logic unraveled. His confidence crumbled. He was swiftly denied entry.
Next came a bespectacled woman, gliding forward with self-assurance.
“I am the Silver Mass Health Induna,” she announced.
The elders grilled her:
What do you know about the 67 containers of expired medicine? Why are hospitals running without supplies?
She fumbled for answers, contradicting herself. She too was turned away.
A well-fed Mines Induna lumbered forward, chest puffed out.
What happened to the missing gold? What is the difference between copper and gold? Why have our mines been handed to foreigners?
His confusion was evident. He was sent away without ceremony.
Then came the Lands Induna.
When will you demolish the illegal houses in Forest 27?
He hesitated—his mansion had just been built in the same area. His silence was deafening. Without another word, he was whisked away.
As dusk approached, the Roads Induna took his turn.
Why did you hand over our tollgates to foreigners?
He blinked, unprepared. His ignorance cost him entry.
One by one, the so-called leaders failed the test. Not a single one could pass.
But the biggest question remained:
Would the former king have passed?
Would the current king dare to take the test?
The elders called out for them, but they were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they had a meeting. Or perhaps they both feared the test.
And that is how the commoners took over the kingdom of Zombia—for in a land where all leaders were hypocrites, truth belonged only to the people.
