Page 23 - First Edition

The Selfish King and the Poor Farmer

his story dates back to 100 BC .There was a kingdom with deep pockets named
THindnagar. It was famous for its carpets and regional food. The kingdom flourished with
all the riches but had an acquisitive king. He selfishly use the tariff collected from his people for his

own supererogatory desires. The successive year Hindnagar didn't receive any rain.

The people were already starving to death due to failure of crops and instead of helping them,
the king sent his tax collectors to collect tax. One day a poor farmer with grey ragged and tattered
clothes came running into the imperial durbar and fell at the king's feet. He begged the king to exempt

everyone from paying the taxes. The king shouted in a fit of rage, “You dirty beggar! How dare you
touch me!", and ordered his soldiers to give him hundred whips .All of a sudden, a soldier came in
running and informed the king that the kingdom had been attacked by the felons .Consequently, a

war started. After a crucial war, Hindnagar was defeated .The king escaped from the battleground
and reached a village .He was ravenously hungry and feeble and as a result he fainted while walking
and fell down on the ground. After an hour when he regained his consciousness, he found himself in a

small hovel. The owner of that small shack was the same poor farmer whom the king had punished
.The king cried," You! Why are you helping me? I was so cruel to you". The farmer replied " My lord,

you are our king .A king is equal to God and moreover we must be kind to everyone". The king was
shocked with this answer and realized that he had been very rude to his people. The farmer said,"
Don't be embarrassed My Lord, still nothing has been gone. You are born to be a king and we believe in

you ".

The king travelled to multifarious kingdoms for help and finally he fought the war
courageously and was victorious. He had learnt his lesson

and thereafter he became a benevolent king who worked profoundly for the welfare of his people.
MORAL-Kindness is the most important tool to spread love among humanity.

Priyam Srivastava

Grade-7 Jupiter