The King's Cousin
Long ago the kingdom of Banga was ruled by Pradipsen, a king who was as wise as he was humble. He patronized scholars and such people who showed some talent in some field or the other. Moreover, he was kind and he listened to the complaints of his subjects with great patience. He offended none. One morning while the king was preparing to come down to the court from his apartment on the upper floor, he heard some noisy exchange near his gate. He came out to his balcony and observed what was going on below. An old man in tattered clothes was trying to convince the gatekeepers that he was a cousin of the king. "But we know all the kinsmen of the king. You cannot deceive us," said the gatekeepers. A number of noblemen who were entering the palace to attend the court laughed at the old man's claim. But the old man persisted in his claim. "You fellows don't know me. But the king would, I am sure," he said repeatedly. The king could easily understand that the old man was a learned scholar. The man suddenly saw him and asked, "O King, am I not the son of your mother's sister?" "You are, indeed, Please come in!" replied the king.