The King’s Hawk A Even the world’s greatest leaders sometimes learn things the hard way. Eight hundred years ago a powerful king named Genghis Khan ruled an empire that stretched from eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan and included all of China. His armies marched on China and Persia, and Khan was known as the greatest king since Alexander the Great.
B According to legend, one day Khan gathered some friends and servants and rode into the countryside to search for game. Everyone in the party had high hopes of bringing home enough meat for a great feast that night. In those days it was customary to bring a trained hawk along on hunting trips. On command, the hawk would leave its master’s wrist and fly high into the sky. Then, using its exceptional eyesight, the hawk would spot its prey and swoop down on it, so the hunters would know where to follow.
C On this trip the king had brought his favorite hawk. It was a hot summer day, and although the hunting party rode for hours, they had no luck finding game. At dusk they gave up and turned toward home. The king knew the area well, and while the hunting party took the fastest way home, the king rode off on his own between two large mountains, determined to have a successful hunt. In the valley, his hawk flew off.
D As the king rode farther, he became parched and started looking for a spring of water. His thirst was growing, but the hot summer had dried up all the brooks that usually ran by the path. Finally, he spotted a trickle of water running over the edge of a steep rock. Quickly, he jumped from his horse, taking a small silver cup from his bag. He held the cup under the trickle of water until there was enough to drink.
E However, as he raised the cup to his lips, there was a whooshing sound, and the cup was knocked from his hand to the ground. The king turned to see who could be responsible. Spotting his pet hawk, he wondered why the bird would do such a thing. Angrily, the king picked up the cup and again held it under the trickling water. This time he held the cup for just a few seconds before he began to raise it to his mouth. Just as the cup touched his lips, the hawk flew down again, rushed past the king, and again knocked the cup to the ground.
F The king was very angry now. Again he filled the cup, and again the hawk kept him from having even the smallest drink. “You awful bird!” the king shouted. “If you were near me I would kill you in an instant!” As the king filled the cup for the fourth time, he spoke to the hawk. “Now, you arrogant hawk, I warn you. If you value your life, let me drink.” As he spoke, he held his sword ready. Again the bird flew down, knocking the cup from the king’s hand; but this time, the king was ready. His sword flashed and the bird fell. The hawk dropped at his master’s feet and died quickly.
G “That will teach you,” said the king. Then Genghis Khan turned and looked for the cup, but it was nowhere to be found. “I will drink now anyway,” he said, and started climbing the steep rock toward the source of the water. It was a long climb, and the king’s thirst grew and grew.
H Finally, he reached the top and could see the water. As he walked closer, he could see something in the water. With one more step the king could see now that the huge thing was a dead snake, one of the most poisonous in his entire kingdom.
I Now, the king stopped walking. He forgot his thirst, and his heart ached as he thought dismally of the dead hawk he had left lying on the ground below. He dropped his head and said, “You were a true friend, Sir Hawk. You saved my life, and yet in anger I killed you. I will honor your memory and never forget the lesson you taught me.”

In paragraph A, the author most likely compares the king with Alexander the Great in
order to show that the king—
A. was enormously powerful
B. hoped to become famous
C. came from noble blood lines
D. was humble despite his high position