The Shy Sage

LONG ago there came a great sage to the ancient city ofK a mpi l ya . The king immediately welcomed him with due honour and requested him to stay on in his capital.

The seer accordingly set up camp near the palace. Everyday, the king would make his way there, to enquire if the sage needed anything. To his great happiness, the sage said that he had never seen such wonderful hospitality as he was experiencing in Kampilya.

A few weeks later, when the king, as usual, made his way to the sage’s dwelling, the holy man wished to speak to him in private.

“I have something important to ask you,” he said.

But as soon as they were alone, the sage fell silent. Finally, the king returned to the palace without having known the sage’s wish.

“I will speak to you of it tomorrow,” he said to the king.

When the same scenario repeated itself over the next two weeks, one day, the king decided that come what may, he’d force the sage to divulge his desire.

“Please feel free to ask me for anything,” he told the sage. “I am willing to surrender my kingdom at your feet, if that is what you wish.”

“Well, I’ve been hesitating to tell you all this while,” said the sage ultimately. “I wish to leave your kingdom tomorrow and I need a pair of stout sandals and a sturdy umbrella for my journey!”