In Gratitude

The Minister’s Task

There was once a young king who had an old minister. The minister’s behavior often appeared strange to the king, but he kept him on because the minister had been a favorite of the young king’s father, the late king. Despite the minister’s grave demeanor and few words, the young king always sensed that the minister’s intentions were solely focused on his welfare.

One day, the king summoned the minister and said, “The people of Haripur have not paid their taxes for the last two years. I sent my officers twice, but they returned empty-handed. Will you go there personally and collect the taxes?”

“I will go,” agreed the minister, but before leaving for Haripur, he noticed that the king had ordered a battalion of soldiers to accompany him. Although he did not voice his displeasure, he was not entirely pleased.

The Journey to Haripur

The minister reached Haripur after two days. It was an isolated area surrounded by hills on three sides, with a vast forest beyond. Haripur was the kingdom’s frontier.

When the people saw the soldiers approaching, they fled to the hills and forests. The minister observed that drought had left the fields barren, and the people survived on fruits, leaves, and roots gathered from the forest. The elderly who remained shared their hardships with the minister.

“Go and call back your people. They need not fear. The soldiers are my bodyguards, meant to protect me after my long journey. They are not here to harm anyone,” the minister reassured them.

The elders returned and brought everyone back, clutching the papers the tax-collectors had previously handed to them, detailing the amounts each family was required to pay.

Compassion in Action

“My friends,” said the minister, “Our king is not inhuman. He cares for you. On his behalf, I declare that you need not pay taxes for the last two years or even the next year, even if your crops yield abundantly this season.”

The minister then gathered the tax papers and burned them. Overjoyed, the people erupted in shouts of praise for their king.

A week later, the minister returned to the capital, looking happy but tired.

The Minister’s Legacy

“Did you collect the taxes?” asked the eager king.

“I collected something far more precious,” replied the minister.

“What is it?” the king inquired, curious.

“The gratitude of the people of Haripur,” the minister answered.

The king, unable to grasp the full significance of the minister’s reply, had no opportunity for further discussion, as the old man fell ill and passed away shortly thereafter.

Six months later, the king remembered the minister with tears of love and respect. His capital was suddenly attacked by a formidable enemy intent on killing him. Forced to flee, he found refuge in Haripur. There, he was met with overwhelming loyalty; the residents vowed to protect him with their lives. They had prepared numerous hidden places for him in caves and the forest.

The king’s allies soon came to his aid, driving away the enemy. Upon returning to his capital, the king erected a monument in memory of his minister, inscribing it with the words: “In Gratitude.”