THE king of what became Iraq was toppled for a time when he thought he was Number One. We'll call him King Neb (Nebuchadnezzar, for the formal).

Anyway, old Neb thought he was the greatest wonder of the world, especially after doing an Alan Titchmarsh on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

But then the world's real Number One turned up in a disturbing dream. Daniel, later of lion's den rescue fame, stormed the royal palace and told yon King Neb the meaning of his dream. Seems Neb'd be cut down to size with a seven-month spell in the mad house.

And so it came to pass. The result? Old Neb came to his senses, raised his eyes heavenwards and stopped worshipping himself.

And here's the greatest wonder of the world: the Maker breaking in to topple mini-gods, whether in Iraq or in our own backyard, to put us in our places.

He the Creator. We the created; and bullies and dictators will always get their comeuppance.

Hang on a mo! wise Saturday Messengers may yodel at this point

Didn't Iraq's latest royal palace dweller already worship God? Isn't this what caused the war in the first place? Sad Maud, she sin (Saddam Hussein, for the formal) got one thing wrong. He designed his own god to suit his own appetites and wants.

Of course, we in the West would never do such a thing, would we?