The Sixth Thief
The Gang of Thieves
Hundreds of years ago, the people of Ujjain were tormented for an extended period by a gang of thieves. Despite their best efforts, the king’s guards were unable to apprehend them. One day, the wealthy citizens gathered in the durbar to implore the king to take decisive action against this menace. “It will be done!” declared the king with determination.
The Disguise
That very night, the king ventured out of the palace in disguise. Under a tree, he spotted four men and approached them. “I am as capable a thief as you are,” he said. “But working alone is quite difficult. Perhaps I could join your company. What special skills do you possess?”
The Thieves’ Skills
“One thief boasted, “I can dig through any wall, no matter how sturdy.” The second remarked, “I can understand the language of birds and animals.” The third claimed, “Without opening a box, I can tell you its contents.” The fourth thief added, “Once I have heard a man’s voice, I can recognize him even if his appearance changes or if many years pass.”
The thieves then inquired about the king’s special talent. “Those who are with me will never face the death penalty from the king,” he replied confidently. Thus, the five prepared to execute their plans.
The Royal Heist
“As they contemplated their target for the night, the king suggested, “Let’s go to the palace.” The others eagerly agreed. Upon reaching the palace, the first thief began to dig a hole in the wall, and suddenly, they heard a jackal howling. “What does it say?” asked the king of the second thief. “It says that the master of the house is awake,” he responded. A little later, an owl hooted, and the king asked for its meaning. “It indicates that the master of the house is watching us!” replied the second thief.
Just then, the sound of two barking dogs caught their attention. “What do the dogs signify?” inquired the king. “The first dog warns us to flee. The second dog tells the first to be quiet!” explained the second thief.
Facing Danger
“Perhaps we should retreat,” suggested one of the other thieves. “Do not fear,” the king encouraged them. “Let us complete what we have started. I sense no danger.” Despite their reluctance, the four thieves were determined not to appear cowardly before their new companion.
Before long, the hole led them into a room filled with six heavy boxes. “We are fortunate!” the third thief exclaimed. “These are brimming with gold, sapphires, and diamonds!” In their haste, each thief took a box, leaving one outside the wall. Before parting, they agreed on the time and place for their next meeting.
The King’s Revelation
The king returned to his chamber. Early the next morning, the palace guard, conducting his routine inspection, discovered the hole and the box. He took the box home and then reported the theft to the palace manager. Together, they informed the king that six precious boxes had been stolen.
The king immediately recognized the identity of the sixth thief. “Do not worry,” he assured them. “All the thieves will be captured tonight.”
The Arrest
That night, when the four thieves gathered at the designated spot, the king’s guards ambushed them and brought them before the durbar. The king ordered their execution. At that moment, the fourth thief recognized the king and exclaimed, “Your Highness! We had another companion with us last night. He assured us that we would not be punished with death. If I help you catch him, will you hang him too?”
The Betrayal Unveiled
The king smiled and replied, “Your fifth friend will uphold his promise. You shall not be executed.” He then addressed the surprised courtiers, stating, “I absolve them of all punishment. They may keep their boxes, and I will provide them with jobs to help them start anew. However, do you know who stole the sixth box? It was our trusted palace guard!”
The guard stood trembling, pale as a ghost. The king’s officers searched his home and recovered the sixth box. The king banished him from the kingdom for betraying the trust laid in him.
A Lesson from the Train
In a train, a man asked a fellow passenger, “I know the distance between Madras and Delhi, but I do not know the distance between Delhi and Madras. Can you tell me?” The other passenger replied, “Any fool knows that the distance from Delhi to Madras is the same as that from Madras to Delhi!” The man then added, “In that case, I am not a fool. It is a week from Christmas to New Year, but is it a week from New Year to Christmas?”
