A Strange Law
A Day in the Forest
One afternoon, a king was wandering in a forest for the purpose of hunting, with his bodyguards following him at a distance.
The Encounter
Suddenly, the king witnessed a terrible scene: a young man was being attacked by a tiger. The young man was desperately trying to free himself from the ferocious animal, but there was little chance of his succeeding.
The King’s Intervention
The king took careful aim at the tiger and shot a deadly arrow, instantly killing the beast.
The Thief Revealed
“I will presently tell you,” said the young man, “but will you please show me both your hands for a moment?”
The king, unsuspecting, extended his hands innocently. At once, the young man bound them with a strong rope and said, “You see, I am a thief!”
A Shocking Turn
The king was taken aback but quickly regained his composure. “But for my intervention, you would have been devoured by the tiger, isn’t that so?” he said.
“I did not request you to come to my rescue, did I? Now that I have survived the danger, I must follow my profession,” replied the thief, stripping the king of all his jewelry before fleeing.
The King’s Decree
Soon, the king’s bodyguards arrived and freed him. Back in the palace, the king made a startling declaration: “From today, helping others will be considered a crime in my kingdom. Those who help others will be severely punished! This is the law.”
This announcement left the officials and common people puzzled and fearful.
The King’s New Order
However, the king was not satisfied with just the announcement. He dismissed all those known for their spirit of public service, replacing them with individuals notorious for selfishness and intrigue. Detectives were deployed to arrest anyone found doing good to others.
The Minister’s Plan
The prime minister understood the reason behind the king’s cynicism and was determined to change his attitude. Accordingly, he disguised himself as a common man, carrying a bag with some money, and entered the forest. As he had expected, the thief soon appeared and snatched the bag away.
“Look here, young man, I am leaving this land because I am disgusted with the king. Please do not harass me,” said the minister.
“Were you an officer of the king?” asked the thief.
“Yes, in his treasury. If you return my bag, I will help you plunder the royal treasury,” said the minister.
“Here is your bag. And I promise to give you your legitimate share if you can help me steal from the treasury,” the hopeful thief replied.
“I will certainly help you. The king is my enemy,” the minister assured him.
The Capture
But as soon as they reached near the palace, the minister gave a signal, and immediately the thief was captured by the king’s guards, who had been hiding nearby.
Facing the King’s Judgment
In the morning, the king saw the thief and recognized him. “Hang him,” he ordered.
Upon hearing the king’s command, the minister began to weep.
A Change of Heart
The king realized his folly. He rescinded the law and released all the good men who had been imprisoned. The thief, of course, was duly punished.