The Reward of Wisdom .

- Ravi Ila Bhatt

Once upon a time, there was a great and righteous King named Maharaj Vikram Singh. He was hosting a magnificent feast (davat) for his special guests. The royal kitchens were overflowing with every kind of delicacy, but at the last moment, the cooks realized they were missing fresh fish, and the King's banquet felt incomplete without it.

Maharaj Vikram Singh immediately announced that a handsome reward would be given to anyone who could bring fresh fish before the feast began.

Hearing the announcement, a poor but clever fisherman named Gopal quickly procured the finest fish and rushed toward the palace.

When Gopal arrived at the main palace gates, the Gatekeeper (Dwarpal), whose name was Balaram, stopped him. Balaram's eyes fell upon the magnificent fish, and greed immediately seized him. He refused to let Gopal enter unless the fisherman promised to split the reward fifty-fifty.

Gopal knew time was short and the fish had to be delivered fresh. Without arguing, he instantly agreed. "Very well, Dwarpal Ji! I promise you half of whatever reward I receive. Now, please let me pass."

Gopal presented the fish to the Maharaj. King Vikram Singh was delighted, knowing his feast would now be complete. He happily ordered a large bag of gold coins to be given to Gopal as a reward.

However, Gopal joined his hands and refused to take the money.

The entire court was stunned. Gopal respectfully said, "Maharaj! I do not desire wealth. If you are truly pleased, the reward I request is to receive one hundred lashes on my back!"

Everyone in the court was astonished. The King, initially thinking the fisherman had gone mad from distress, finally honored Gopal's strange wish and ordered a servant to administer the hundred lashes.

When the servant had delivered fifty lashes, Gopal cried out in pain, folding his hands and begging them to stop.

"Maharaj!" Gopal gasped, "Please stop now! I suddenly remembered that I have a partner in this venture! Half of the reward belongs to him!"

Maharaj Vikram Singh, who was renowned for his wisdom, immediately understood the entire plot. He grasped the Gatekeeper's dishonesty in an instant.

The King immediately summoned the Gatekeeper, Balaram, to the court.

The Maharaj spoke in a stern voice, "Balaram! This fisherman has rewarded you with fifty lashes. You will immediately receive the remaining fifty lashes that belong to your share of the reward!"

Balaram's face turned pale. He was given the remaining fifty lashes, and for his wicked deed, the Maharaj dismissed him from his service.

The wise fisherman, Gopal, who used his clever thinking to expose the injustice, was rewarded with a handsome amount of money by the King for his wisdom and sent off with great honor.

Moral

Evil deed results in Bad Things And Your Wise thinking can help you get out of Situation. So be Wise and do Good.