A hungry man was walking through a grove. He had not taken any food for the last three days. The grove was full of trees laden with mangoes. The luscious fruits were too tempting. He walked over to a stone, took it and threw it at one of the trees. A couple of mangoes fell on the ground. Man’s face glowed with joy as he ate the fruits.

Destiny had brought into that grove that day that hungry man as well as the ruling monarch of the land. The great monarch, after a royal dinner, had sought the cool shade of the mango trees to while away his time by playing chess with his wife. The monarch and the hungry man were unaware of each other’s presence.

The inert stone that struck the tree and felled the fruits could not respectfully avoid the monarch. It landed on his head. The turban protected the scalp but it was thrown off and put out of shape. The ministers investigating the cause of the fate of the turban sought the miscreant, the poor hungry man, who was greedily eating the fruits. The monarch’s ministers of law held an immediate court on the spot and condemned the wrongdoer to death for assaulting the monarch.

The monarch rose from the game and the ministers of law then announced that the miscreant had been severely punished for his outrageous act.

“Bring him to me,” said the monarch.

The poor man was brought before him.

“Why did you throw the stone?” asked the monarch.

“To obtain a mango.”

“At what did you throw the stone?”

“At the tree.”

“Did you get the mango?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have you eaten the mango?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The king turned to his ministers of law and said, “The poor man was hungry and he struck the tree with a stone. He obtained a mango and has eaten it. Now tell me how long would he be free from hunger?”

“For about twenty four hours, Your Majesty.”

“That will do. Now I will pronounce my judgment.”

Everybody waited for the pronouncement of judgment eagerly.

The monarch said, “We command that from today till the end of his life this poor man will receive from our treasury wealth enough to maintain himself.”

Everyone was amazed!

The king asked the queen, “Tell me, is the tree sentient or an insentient object?”

“Of course, insentient, my lord.”

“And I?”          

“What a question you are asking! Man is a sentient being and you are a jewel among men.”

“Then is it not that I, a sentient being, prove that I am worthier, than an insentient tree, of my monarchical status?”

“You are worthier than all men in wisdom. But why do you say all this?”

“Look, this poor man struck the tree. It gave him luscious fruits to eat. It appeased his hunger for a day. The stone fell on me as he threw it. It was adjudged that he hit me with it. Should I not prove that I am worthier than the tree? That is why I have ordered that his necessities be provided for throughout his life.”

Everybody present there fell at the monarch’s feet and said, “Who but God Himself could manifest such compassion at a time like this! You rank in this virtue with Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus. Hail! Hail! Only rulers like you can inspire people to cultivate compassion, love and forbearance. Inspired by your glorious example, people will love each other and serve each other.”