Once, there lived a powerful King who took great pride in his magnificent palace. One afternoon, while standing on his high balcony, he looked down at the palace gates. He saw a few weary travelers resting in the cool shade of the entrance pillars. This sight annoyed him deeply. "Why must these people always crowd my gates?" he grumbled. "They disturb the dignity of my palace. They should find somewhere else to rest."
Driven by his irritation, the King issued a strict decree: 'No one is allowed to sit or rest near the palace walls or gates.' The travelers, who had nowhere else to go, were saddened. "We only seek a moment of shade to escape the heat," they sighed. Seeking help, they approached the King's wise advisor, Vikram.
Vikram decided to teach the King a lesson. The next day, he dressed in tattered clothes and sat right in the middle of the palace entrance. When the King saw him from above, he was furious. "How dare someone defy my command! Guards, remove this man at once!" he shouted.
Vikram calmly looked up and said, "I will move only when the true owner of this place comes and tells me to leave."
The King, fueled by pride, marched down to the gates. "This is my palace! I am the owner!" he declared.
Vikram smiled gently and asked, "It is your palace today, Sire. But tell me, whose palace was this before yours?"
"It belonged to my father," the King replied.
"And before your father?" Vikram pressed.
"It belonged to my grandfather," the King answered, feeling confused.
Vikram stood up and said, "And before your grandfather, there were many kings. They all ruled this palace, and now they are gone. Nothing in this world, not even this great stone palace, is permanent. If even a small patch of shade is not meant for others, remember that time will eventually take this palace away from you too. Why be so harsh with what you cannot keep forever?"
The King felt a wave of shame wash over him. He realized that his pride had made him blind to the simple needs of others. He apologized to the travelers and thanked Vikram for opening his eyes.
Moral of the Story
Moral
Nothing in this world is permanent; use your power with kindness rather than greed and pride.
