A King’s Greatness
A King’s Greatness
King Vikram, unafraid of the dark night, shrieking breeze, rain, and the eerie laughter of spirits, reached the tree once more. He climbed it and brought down the corpse. However, as he started walking with the lifeless body on his shoulder, the vampire that possessed it said, “O King, you might be enduring all this pain for the sake of your people, hoping to earn their appreciation. But know this: often a king’s service goes unrecognized by his subjects. Let me illustrate my point with a story; it might ease your burden.”
The Tale of King Himasekhar
The vampire continued: In days gone by, the land of Suvarnapur was ruled by King Himasekhar. He was eager to serve his people. He utilized his wealth to construct roads and hospitals, dig wells and ponds, and create parks and gardens throughout the kingdom. He gave land to the landless, and those wishing to engage in trade received the necessary capital from him. Despite all his efforts, the king remained unsatisfied and sought new ways to benefit his subjects.
He often instructed his ministers to tour the kingdom and ascertain how the people perceived the good he was providing. His ministers and courtiers believed the king performed these deeds for the glory and praise of his subjects. They constantly assured him, “Our people are so pleased with you that they gather in temples and pray for your long life.”
A Disguise and a Revelation
The king felt happy, but one day he pondered, ‘Though I have done so much for my people’s welfare, I must know if they still have grievances.’ Thus, he disguised himself as an old traveler and ventured into a remote part of his kingdom.
He galloped to a secluded area and left his horse at a tavern. Then, he wandered through nearby villages, determined to find subjects discussing state affairs. It was challenging, but he remained patient and continued his search.
Finally, he overheard a conversation between merchants. Two were from a neighboring kingdom, admiring the achievements of King Himasekhar. One exclaimed, “We are deeply impressed by all that your king has done. Each man in this kingdom lives like a prince!”
The other merchant, a native of Suvarnapur, replied, “Is that what you think? You say so because you have not seen how our king lives. You cannot even imagine the luxury he enjoys. If you could, you wouldn’t call us princes!”
Another native echoed, “My friend is right. Any king can build roads, dig wells, and establish hospitals. Our king has done nothing exceptional.” King Himasekhar felt deeply saddened by this assessment. He returned to the palace and continued the welfare activities while deciding to visit neighboring lands to see how other kings governed.
The Famine and the King’s Heroism
During his travels, what he encountered was no surprise. The neighboring kings lived selfishly and extravagantly, doing little for their subjects, who feared criticism. While King Himasekhar was abroad, a drought threatened Suvarnapur with famine. Upon learning of the situation, he rushed back home, dug deep ponds, and built a canal to save any remaining crops. He had fortunately stored a substantial supply of grain, which he distributed among those in need.
Once he disguised himself again and visited various areas of the kingdom, he heard the people saying, “We are fortunate to have Himasekhar as our king. He is the most benevolent and compassionate ruler in the world.”
The Vampire’s Challenge
The vampire paused for a moment and asked, “O King Vikram, why were the people critical of their king despite his many contributions? How did he continue his welfare work in the face of their ungratefulness? Why did they then praise him for the same deeds? Answer if you can. If you know the answers but choose to remain silent, your head shall roll off your shoulder!”
Without hesitation, King Vikram responded, “Ordinarily, people do not recognize the value of what they receive without asking. This is why they found nothing special in the king’s welfare actions. Yet, he was noble and dutiful, not seeking praise for his deeds. Therefore, he persisted despite the people’s criticism. When famine struck and the people needed help, his efforts gained new significance, and they subsequently praised him. The crisis revealed the true greatness of their king.”
No sooner had King Vikram finished his answer than the corpse eluded him!