In a peaceful valley lived a young boy named Arjun. His father was a trusted advisor to the King of their land. The King was known to be a powerful warrior, but he had a very short temper. Whenever things didn't go his way, his anger would flare up like a sudden wildfire.
One afternoon, Arjun watched from behind a pillar as the King shouted at his father for a minor mistake. Arjun was frightened. That evening, he approached his father and asked, "Father, how can you stay so calm? The King is like a storm. Aren't you afraid he might hurt you?"
His father lit a small candle on the table. "Look at this flame, Arjun," he said gently. "If you put your hand too close to the flame, you will get burned. But if you stand too far away, you cannot enjoy its light or warmth. To serve a great King, one must be like a wise traveler near a fire. You must stay close enough to be useful, but never so close that his anger consumes you. You must maintain a respectful distance with wisdom."
Weeks later, during a heated council meeting, the King began to lose his temper over a border dispute. Instead of arguing back or shrinking in fear, Arjun’s father spoke with calm precision and gentle respect. His words cooled the King's anger, and a peaceful decision was made. Arjun finally understood: true wisdom lies in knowing exactly how much distance to keep from a burning temper.
