The Fall and Rise of a Merchant

In the bustling city of Vardhamana, there lived a prosperous and capable merchant. His intelligence and efficiency caught the attention of the king, who appointed him as the kingdom’s administrator. The merchant skillfully managed the affairs of the state, keeping both the king and the common people happy—a rare quality indeed.

One day, the merchant’s daughter was to be married, and he arranged a grand reception. He invited the king, the queen, the royal household, and all the respected citizens of the kingdom. At the banquet, he treated his guests with the finest hospitality, presenting them with gifts as a token of respect.

Among the attendees was a royal servant whose duty was to sweep the palace floors. Though he was not invited, he sneaked into the celebration and sat in a seat reserved for the royal nobles. Seeing this, the merchant grew furious. He grabbed the servant by the collar and ordered his guards to throw him out.

That night, the humiliated servant lay awake, burning with resentment. He vowed to take revenge. "If I can turn the king against the merchant, I will have my justice," he thought. A cunning plan began to take shape in his mind.

The Servant’s Deception

The next morning, as the servant swept the king’s chamber, he noticed that the king was still half-asleep. Seizing the moment, he muttered softly to himself, "Oh, heavens! The merchant has become so arrogant that he dared to embrace the queen!"

The king, though drowsy, heard these words and jolted awake. "What did you say?" he demanded.

The servant immediately fell to his knees. "My lord, forgive me! I was up all night gambling. I am drowsy and do not know what I was mumbling. If I spoke something improper, please do not take it seriously."

The king said nothing further, but a seed of doubt had been planted in his mind. "Could this be true?" he wondered. "The servant roams the palace freely, and so does the merchant. What if he really saw something?"

Jealousy consumed the king, and from that day on, his attitude toward the merchant changed. He withdrew all his favors and eventually forbade him from entering the palace.

The next time the merchant tried to visit the king, he was stopped by the guards at the palace gates. Shocked and confused, he could not understand why he was being treated this way.

Nearby, the royal servant smirked and mocked him, "Oh, beware, guards! This merchant is a powerful man. He can have people thrown out just like he threw me out of his daughter’s reception. Be careful, or you may suffer the same fate!"

Hearing this, the merchant realized who was behind his troubles. He returned home, heartbroken and humiliated.

Turning the Tables

The merchant spent the night reflecting on his situation. Then, he had an idea. The next day, he invited the royal servant to his house. He welcomed him warmly, offering him fine clothes, gifts, and food. He spoke humbly, "My friend, I did not throw you out of my daughter’s wedding out of anger. The seat you took was meant for the royal nobles, and they felt insulted. I had no choice but to remove you. Please forgive me."

Flattered by the generous treatment, the servant was filled with joy. "Sir, you have honored me with great respect and kindness. I forgive you completely," he declared.

Determined to make things right, he added, "I will show you how clever I am. I will win back the king’s favor for you."

The Merchant’s Redemption

The next morning, the servant once again waited for the king to be half-awake. As he swept near his bed, he muttered, "Our king is truly foolish! He eats cucumbers in the lavatory!"

The king sat up, enraged. "What nonsense is this?" he thundered. "How dare you say such a thing? Have you ever seen me doing such a thing?"

The servant immediately knelt before him. "My lord, please forgive me if I spoke out of turn. I was up all night gambling, and I do not know what I was saying."

The king paused, deep in thought. "I have never eaten cucumbers in the lavatory. This is absurd! If what he said about me is nonsense, then perhaps what he said about the merchant was also false."

Realizing his mistake, the king regretted how he had treated the merchant. Without his capable administration, the kingdom had begun to fall into disarray.

That very day, the king summoned the merchant back to the palace. He honored him with gifts and jewels, reinstating him as the kingdom’s administrator. The merchant resumed his duties, serving with wisdom and efficiency as before.

Moral of the Story:

"One should treat everyone with respect, regardless of their status. A moment of carelessness in mistreating others can lead to unexpected consequences."