English Story - 10

King & the Ascetic

Once a King was riding through the country surrounded by his courtiers and soldiers. Everyone bowed to the king as he passed by, except for an ascetic.

The King halted his procession and had the ascetic brought to him. He demanded to know why the man did not bow to him.

The ascetic replied, ‘ Let all these people bow to you. They all want what you have-money, power, rank. Thank God these things mean nothing to me.’

Then he added, ‘Further more, a free man will never bow to a slave.’

The King cried: ’What you mean?’

The ascetic said calmly: ’You are a slave to anger,greed and fame.’

Looking the King full in face he said: ’ I have made them my servants and become a free man’

Recognizing the truth of what he heard, the King saluted the ascetic & left.