Listen, Not Eavesdrop

Listen, Not Eavesdrop

Once upon a time, in a kingdom known for its wisdom and beauty, there ruled a king named Raja. He was an admired and powerful ruler, wise beyond measure, and loved by his people. His father, Chithra Maharaja, was a revered king, and his mother, Vichithra, was known for her grace and intelligence.

King Raja had a court filled with the most learned and talented poets, but among them, one man stood out – Chakra. Chakra was a brilliant scholar, with a mind sharp as a blade, and an ear that caught even the faintest whisper. However, despite his many virtues, Chakra had one glaring flaw – he couldn’t resist eavesdropping on conversations that were none of his business. His habit was so persistent that it even drove a wedge between him and his wife, who, fed up with his sneaky behavior, left him.

One fine afternoon, as the golden rays of the sun bathed the royal gardens, King Raja strolled through the lush grounds, deep in thought. Suddenly, his old friend Chakra appeared, eager to share news with the king. They sat under a grand banyan tree, and Chakra began to speak of a long-forgotten tale—one that had been passed down in whispers through the years. He spoke of a conversation he overheard between Chithra Maharaja and Vichithra, a conversation that had been hidden for decades.

“Twenty-five years ago,” Chakra began, his voice lowering to a hush, “a child was brought to the kingdom. This child—an orphan—was crowned the new king by your father. No one knew who he was or where he came from, but your father believed in him deeply.”

As Chakra spoke, a chill ran down King Raja’s spine. His heart skipped a beat. "An orphan? Crowned king?" The words echoed in his mind like thunder. Before he could grasp the meaning, he fainted, his world spinning.

Servants rushed to the king’s side, carrying him back to the palace. When he regained consciousness, a strange letter lay beside him, written in the familiar hand of his father, Chithra Maharaja.

The next morning, after breakfast, a tense silence filled the air. King Raja was still reeling from what he had learned. Chithra Raj, his trusted advisor, arrived at the palace. He waited, pacing nervously, until finally, he discovered the letter on the king’s bed. It confirmed what Chakra had said—the king’s father had left the palace in secret. But the letter contained something more—something that sent a cold shiver through Rama’s veins.

Chithra Maharaja, a devout follower of Lord Shiva, had cursed anyone who lied to his son. “The one who speaks falsehood to my son,” the letter read, “shall grow horse ears and come to me seeking forgiveness.”

And so, as if cursed by the gods themselves, Vichithra—Raja’s mother—began to grow horse ears. In agony and fear, she cried out, "Did you backstab me? Did you betray me, my son?"

Desperate for answers, she sought an audience with King Raja. When she met him, her eyes were filled with tears, and she could hardly speak. "Did you stab me in the back, my son?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The king’s heart ached, but his mind was clouded by confusion and anger. He turned to his soldiers. “Lock her in the dungeons!” he ordered. “She has betrayed me and our kingdom!”

But it wasn’t long before the truth came to light. The story Vichithra overheard had been a twisted version of the truth—a tale spun by none other than Chithra Maharaja himself. Realizing the gravity of his rash decision, King Raja’s heart broke with regret.

With humility, the king returned to the palace and, with a deep bow, he sought forgiveness from his mother. "I was blinded by trust, and in my haste, I condemned you unjustly," he said, his voice thick with remorse. “I will be more careful in the future.”

And so, the king learned a valuable lesson—one that stayed with him for the rest of his reign. From that day on, King Raja became not only wiser but more compassionate. He learned that listening is an art, but to truly understand, one must not eavesdrop or jump to conclusions based on half-truths.

Moral of the Story: Blind trust can be dangerous. It is important to listen to others, but never eavesdrop. A kind heart seeks truth, not rumors.