With the sharp sword raised
High upto the sky,
"Into the Fire!",  
He ordered.
They all went in.
The blazing flame in his eyes
Prompted his quicker senses.
"Retrieve & return",
He shouted.
They obeyed in silence.
Looking around he felt
The only shock in his life
The sword thrown away
He sat down and wept.
The crowd looked on anxiously
Their vision was perfect:
A heap of ashes!!
And a hungry look on every face.