Free Me!
A Scholar’s Dilemma
Long ago, there lived a scholar who was a great favourite at the court. He often entertained the king with tales of great men who had sacrificed everything to become recluses and hermits. Gradually, the king became agitated by these stories and one day declared to the scholar, “Sir, I seek release from the worldly chains that blind me. You must help me attain salvation. If you fail, I shall have you beheaded.”
The Scholar’s Fear
The scholar trembled in fright at these words. How could he help a reigning monarch find salvation? The fear of the consequences of his failure haunted him throughout a sleepless night. His young daughter, a bright-eyed girl, noticed his worry and asked him about it. After listening to her father’s tale of the king’s strange command, she said, “Father, take me to the court tomorrow, and I’ll satisfy the king.”
An Unexpected Solution
When the next day arrived, the scholar took his daughter to the court and noticed she carried a string of rope with her. Though he was curious, he chose not to inquire. Upon arriving at the court, the scholar began to regale the king and courtiers with stories from mythology. Meanwhile, the young girl ran to a pillar, tied herself to it with the rope, and began to scream at the top of her lungs.
A Lesson in Wisdom
Startled, the king turned and saw the girl crying, “Free me, free me.” A guard quickly ran to the pillar and untied the rope, but the girl continued to shout, insisting, “Free me, free me.” She then entwined her hands around the pillar and persisted in her cries.
Annoyed by her behaviour, the king exclaimed, “What foolishness is this? The rope has been untied. Yet you cling to the pillar and shout for help. Are you mad?”
The King’s Realization
Immediately, the girl stopped crying and replied, “Sire, we are both fools.” A hush fell over the whole court as they registered her bold words. The scholar trembled in fear, well aware of the king’s wrath, while the king himself looked grim at the girl’s audacity.
She continued, “Sire, you cling to your territories, riches, and power, and yet you desire salvation. You expect someone to guide you on how to escape worldly bondage. If you truly despised this life, what is stopping you from renouncing everything and seeking freedom?”
A Path to Redemption
The king felt a wave of shame wash over him for his folly and was captivated by the deep wisdom expressed by the small girl. He apologized for his earlier conduct and rewarded the scholar with lavish gifts, grateful for the profound lesson he had just learned.