The Detective Minister

Some jewels were stolen from the king’s treasure. Among his ministers was a highly clever nobleman named Yuktivarma, who was entrusted with the task of detecting the theft.

In the open court, the king addressed Yuktivarma, saying, “I give you a week. Should you fail to solve the mystery, you will lose your head.”

“My lord, I shall surely be able to catch the thief. I will fail only if the thief is cleverer than I. In that case, my lord, you should make him a minister after my death,” replied Yuktivarma.

“I agree,” said the king.

A week passed, and it was announced that Yuktivarma would be beheaded. That night, one of the treasury officials approached him and said, “Sir, you are to die in the morning. What about making the cleverer man a minister?”

“I was waiting for you,” Yuktivarma replied. “Luckily, it is not yet morning.” He then called some guards and instructed them to arrest the official. The stolen jewels were found in his house.