In the prosperous kingdom of Chola, lived a young boy named Ilango. His father was a trusted aide in the King's palace. One sunny afternoon, while walking through the palace corridors, Ilango noticed the heavy wooden doors of the royal council chamber slightly ajar. From inside, he could hear the King and his ministers speaking in low, serious tones about a grand plan for the kingdom.
Curiosity gripped Ilango. He felt a strong urge to peek through the crack in the door or perhaps knock and ask, 'What are you discussing, Your Majesty?' He wondered if the plan was about a festival or a new law. However, he remembered his father's words: 'True wisdom lies in knowing when to listen and when to step away. Never pry into a private conversation.'
Instead of lingering, Ilango quietly turned around and walked toward the garden, pretending he hadn't heard a thing. A few moments later, the ministers emerged from the chamber. To Ilango's surprise, the King called out to him, 'Young Ilango, did you not hear us talking just now?'
Ilango bowed respectfully and replied, 'Your Majesty, I heard that important matters were being discussed. I believed it was my duty to respect your privacy rather than intruding upon it.' The King smiled warmly, impressed by the boy's restraint and maturity. He realized that Ilango possessed the very quality a great leader needs—the ability to respect boundaries.
