One sunny afternoon, the wise advisor Vikram brought his young daughter, Maya, to the royal court. The King, moved by the child's presence, invited Maya to sit right beside his golden throne.
As the minutes passed, the King noticed that Maya remained remarkably quiet. She didn't fidget or play with her dress; she simply sat with a calm, attentive expression. Curious, the King leaned forward and asked, "Little one, why are you so silent? Are you feeling shy, or perhaps you are bored with our court?"
Maya looked up at the King with bright, intelligent eyes and replied softly, "Not at all, Your Majesty. I am simply following a special rule that my father taught me. I speak very little when I am with elders, but I speak a great deal when I am with children my own age."
The King chuckled, puzzled. "That is a strange habit! Usually, people say one should be brief and concise. Why do you choose to be so quiet around us?"
Maya smiled gently and explained, "When elders speak, they share wisdom and experience. If I spend my time talking, I might miss the precious lessons they are trying to teach. By listening quietly, I can absorb their knowledge. However, when I talk to younger children, I use many words to explain things clearly, so they can learn and grow too."
The King was deeply impressed by Maya's profound understanding. He realized that even though she was small, her mind was incredibly mature. He turned to Vikram and praised his upbringing. To celebrate her wisdom, the King presented Maya with beautiful silk garments and sparkling jewels, making her day truly magical.
Moral
Listen deeply to the wise to gain knowledge, and speak generously to the young to share it.
