Question

Write a story from your own experience which could either be a sad or a happy story from childhood.

Answer 1

In a city called Vardhamana, lived
a very efficient and prosperous
merchant.
The king was aware of his
abilities, and therefore made him
the administrator of the kingdom.
With his efficient and intelligent
ways, he kept common man very
happy, and at the same time he
impressed the king on the other
side. Such a person, who can
keep everybody happy, is rarely
found.
Later, there came a time that the
merchant's daughter was getting
married. He arranged for a lavish
reception.
The merchant not only invited the
king and the queen, who obliged
by attending, but he also invited
the entire royal household and all
respected people of the kingdom.
During the reception, he ensured
to provide his guests with the
best of treatments. He gave out
gifts to guests to show them
respect for attending to his
invitation.
A servant of the royal household,
who used to sweep the palace,
was not invited but attended the
reception.
He took a seat which was
reserved for royal nobles, not
meant for common invitees.
This made the merchant very
angry. He caught him by the neck
and ordered his servants to have
him thrown out.
The royal servant felt very
insulted, and could not sleep all
night. He thought, "If I can have
the king to disfavour this
merchant, I will have my revenge.
But what can I, a common fellow,
do to harm a powerful person as
him". Thinking such, he suddenly
had a plan.
Several days later, the servant
was sweeping the floor near the
king's bed early in the morning.
He observed that that the king
was still in bed, half awake. The
servant started mumbling, "Good
heavens! The merchant has
become so carefree now that he
dared to embrace the queen!"
When the king heard this lying in
his bed, he jumped up and asked
the servant, "Is it true? Have you
seen the merchant embrace my
queen yourself?"
The servant at once fell at the
king's feet, "O Master, I was
gambling all night. I feel drowsy
for I didn't sleep last night. I don't
know what I have been mumbling,
but I said anything improper,
please forgive me."
The king spoke no more, but the
servant knew he had sowed the
seed of distrust. The king thought,
"It can be true! The servant
moves about the palace freely,
and so does the merchant. It is
possible that the servant has seen
something."
The king was troubled with
jealousy. From that day onwards,
he withdrew his favours from the
merchant and even forbade him to
enter the palace.
One day, when the merchant was
entering the gateway to the
palace, he was stopped by the
guards. The merchant was
surprised due to this sudden
change in the king's attitude.
The servant was nearby, and
mocking shouted at the guards,
"Ho Guards! That merchant is
favoured by the king. He is a
powerful person. He can have
people arrested or released or
even thrown out, just like he had
me thrown out of his daughter's
reception. Beware, for you may
suffer the same fate."
On hearing this, the merchant
understood that the servant has
caused all this trouble somehow.
He felt dejected, and returned
home upset over the incident.
He gave everything a second
thought, and then he invited the
royal servant to his house. He
treated the servant with utmost
respect, and flattered him with
gifts and garments. He said kindly,
"O friend, that day I did not have
you thrown out due to anger, but
it was improper of you to occupy
the seat reserved for the royal
nobles. They felt insulted, and out
of compulsion I had to throw you
out. Please forgive me."
The servant was already flattered
with all the gifts, and he was full
of joy, "Sir, I forgive you. You have
not only expressed your regrets,
but also honoured me with utmost
respect".
He ensured the merchant, "I will
prove you how clever I am. I will
have the king favourable towards
you, like he was before". The
servant went back home.
Early next morning, when he
started sweeping the floors of the
palace, he waited till when the
king was lying half-awake.
When the opportunity came, he
started sweeping around his bed
and started mumbling, "Our king is
crazy, he eats cucumber in the
lavatory!"
On hearing this, the king was
taken aback. He got up angrily
and shouted at the servant, "What
nonsense do you talk about? Had
you not been by royal servant, I
would have punished you dearly.
Have you ever seen me doing
such thing yourself?"