The King and the Minister: A Story of Wisdom and Hard Work
Once upon a time, in the prosperous kingdom of Sawrnapuri, there ruled a wise but young king named Sawarana Raja. He was not only the ruler of Sawrnapuri but also the king of the neighboring Kariraj. King Sawarana Raja had a noble dream—to eliminate poverty and bring prosperity to his people. However, in his eagerness, he devised a plan that would change the lives of his people forever.
The king ordered his ministers to distribute all the kingdom’s resources for free to the poor and provide them with financial aid. He believed that without the need to work, the people would be happier, healthier, and more content.
His childhood friend and loyal minister was deeply devoted to the king. Although the king’s intentions were pure, the minister feared the plan might have unforeseen consequences. He decided to meet the king to suggest a new approach.
One evening, as the golden sun set over the Brundavan Garden, the king strolled through the peaceful gardens, enjoying the rustling trees and the fragrance of blooming flowers. The minister approached with a calm smile.
Minister: "Your Majesty, have you come to meet the king… or the friend?"
King: "Ah, my dear friend! There’s no need for such formalities. Speak freely, as always."
Minister: "Forgive me, Swarna. I’ve come to speak about your decision to aid the poor. Before you proceed, may I suggest something?"
The king, curious about his friend's wisdom, agreed.
King: "Of course. What do you have in mind?"
Minister: "I humbly suggest that you visit a poor family and observe their life. Only after that, should the kingdom know of this new rule."
The king, intrigued by his minister's advice, agreed to visit a poor family that very night, disguised as a simple traveler. He wore humble clothes and carried a small purse of hidden gold coins.
The family the king visited lived in a modest cottage on the outskirts of the village. The king spent the night with them, sitting on a bundle of straw. He quietly observed as the family hesitated to accept the gold coins at first, unsure of the stranger’s motives. Eventually, they accepted the money, grateful to feed their children.
As dawn broke, the woman of the house went to prepare a meal. The king noticed the joy and warmth in their simple life, but then something unexpected happened.
One of the family’s pet dogs suddenly collapsed after eating food from the kitchen. Panic swept through the house as the woman cried out in horror.
Lady: "What if my son had eaten this food? I could have lost him!"
The king, startled, approached the grieving woman.
King: "What happened? Why are you so upset?"
Lady: "My pet has died. It ate the food I prepared. I didn’t see the lizard that fell into the pot, and now it’s too late."
She sank to her knees, clutching the gold coins the king had given her.
Lady: "I should have known better. My mother always said, ‘Anything received without effort is never truly a blessing.’ I became greedy when I saw the gold, but now I see the harm it has caused."
In her distress, she returned the coins to her son.
Lady: "Take this money. I no longer want it. It came too easily, and now I see the trouble it has brought."
The king observed in silence, realizing the lesson unfolding before him. He understood that his plan, though well-meaning, could lead to unintended consequences. By giving away everything without effort, people could lose their sense of purpose, gratitude, and diligence.
The king quietly left the house, his heart heavier but wiser. He realized that a kingdom’s true strength did not lie in giving without measure, but in teaching the value of hard work, perseverance, and self-reliance.
As the sun rose over Sawrnapuri, the king returned to his palace, grateful to his minister for guiding him on the right path. He now understood that true prosperity came from effort, not from ease.
Moral of the Story: Anything that comes without effort is not truly a blessing. Hard work is the key to true prosperity and happiness.
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