Tag Archives: king

SHORT STORY: ARE ANIMALS BETTER TEACHERS?

April 27, 2021Uncategorizedantelope, are animals better teachers, birds, cheetah, fish, human beings, kamlesh tripathi, king, monkey, scholar, shravan charity missionshravancharitymission

Coptright@shravancharitymission

Once in a literary congregation a king and his ministers wanted to know who is a better teacher, man or animal. The scholars who had assembled there agreed that, ‘Man is a better teacher than animals.’

The king then asked the scholars, ‘What have you taught the animals that you have so much airs about yourselves?

‘Well … your Majesty animals are duffers. They refuse to learn anything from we … human beings.’

‘So does it mean that animals are duffers, or does it mean that man is a duffer, who is unable to teach them anything? And what have you learnt from the animals?’ The king placed a smart rejoinder.

One scholar got up and said, ‘Your Majesty we have learnt nothing from animals we are self-made.’

‘Then from whom did man learn flying?’ Asked the king. The gathering of scholars went quiet. The king repeated his question. One scholar broke his silence and said. ‘From the birds.’

‘Who taught the man to swim?’ Asked, the minister, who was giving the king, company. Another scholar got up and said, ‘Fish.’

‘And, who taught man cunningness?’ Asked another minister.

A young scholar replied, ‘Fox.’

‘And what about ferociousness?’ This time it was the king himself.

Another scholar replied, ‘Tiger.’

‘What about Gymnastics?’ It was the king again. ‘Monkey.’ Replied a senior scholar.

‘And what about sprinting?’ Enquired the king as he hadn’t given up yet. The scholars pondered for a moment, and then, one scholar said, ‘Cheetah.’ And another one said, ‘Antelope.’

‘What about sting?’ Asked the Prime Minister who was quiet till now.

‘Obviously the bee and even the scorpion.’ Replied the head of the scholars.

‘And who taught man how to cross the desert? It was the Prime Minister again.

“The Camel.’ Replied another scholar who was hitherto quiet.

‘So even after learning so many things from the animals you call yourself self-made, and in return, what have you taught them, or was it that the animals found nothing worth in a man to learn from.’ Retorted the king. There was pin drop silence when the youngest scholar out of the lot got up and said,

‘Your Majesty animals aren’t good teachers, it is only the man who is a smart learner.’

‘So then, let’s summarize. Man is both a good teacher and a learner, but animals on the contrary, are neither good teachers nor learners.’ Ridiculed the king.

‘Yes your Majesty.’ Dared the youngest scholar.

‘Then why didn’t you learn the virtues of a cow if you were a smart learner?’ Queried the king.

‘Because, the need for that was never felt as man could do without virtues your majesty.’ Replied the eldest scholar.

Moral of the story: Man has an inflated ego. He doesn’t want to accept that animals are good teachers, nor does he want to accept that animals are good learners, nor does the man want to accept that he is a bad teacher. Man is just man and will remain a man a unique species on earth.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India. Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh. Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K.)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10^th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; Indica, 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; Happy Days, November 15, 2020; The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15,2020; Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021;

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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SHORT STORY: LESSON FROM THE EGG PLANT

March 1, 2021Uncategorizedchamchas, eggplant, kamlesh tripathi, king, minister, shravan charity mission, sycophantsshravancharitymission

Once a king who was tired of eating eggplant mentioned to his Minister, that eggplant was a completely useless vegetable. The Minister agreed at once, and that too wholeheartedly, and censured the poor vegetable publicly. But fate has its own ways. Sometime later, the Raj-vaid—or the Royal Physician, not knowing the king’s view, spoke to him about the excellent health benefits of eating eggplant. At this the king was amazed. Choice less, the king recommended the vegetable to his Minister.

The Minister couldn’t agree more. The eggplant, he readily concurred, was veritably, the king of all vegetables. But suddenly, the king remembered that the Minister had roundly condemned this vegetable only recently. So in anger he asked, how he could maintain two absolutely contradictory opinions about eggplant. The Minister’s answer came from generations of distilled wisdom. He said. ‘My Lord, I work for you, not for the eggplant. What good, would it do to me, if I disagree with you and praise the eggplant?

Moral of the story: Beware of sycophants and chamchas.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHRAVAN

January 23, 2021Uncategorizedagyat vas, baka, chitraketu, crane, kamlesh tripathi, king, mahabharat, nakul, osho, shravan charity mission, shravan tripathi, vidyadhar, water, yaksha, yudhistirshravancharitymission

SHRAVAN TRIPATHI (23.1.93 – 24.2.2009)

Dear Shravan. On your 28th birthday, I’m flooded with warm and gratifying memories of yours. Not years ago, when you were alive, but now yes, you do, remind me of King Chitraketu’s son, who expired, soon after he was born, but sermonised his father into the biggest lesson of the world in just a day, and that was. ‘All relationships are, because of your mortal body, and as you leave your mortal remains behind, you also leave behind, your relations—it sounds harsh. Thereafter, everyone is all by himself and has to suffer, as per his karmas.’

They say a God’s day is equivalent to 12 human years. You lived for 16 years. Your short life span taught me many things in that one-an-a-half, God’s days. You’ve been through all the dimensions of life—prime being the frontiers of birth and death. Birthday is of course a celebration—but death a huge frustration, especially, for the ones left behind. How tricky is life. No matter, how much you plan, life has its own plans. ‘Do not plan anything. Things will take their own course.’ Says Osho. The sixteen years that I spent with you were par-excellence. From your babyhood, childhood to your teens it was just fantastic. And how the family together fought the battle of cancer is something we can’t forget.

Your sad and untimely demise takes me yet to another iconic story. Yeh Mahabharat se hey. At the end of 12 years in exile in the forests, time had come for the Pandavas to live in Agyat Vas—incognito. One day, while searching for the mysterious deer, Yudhishtir, was exhausted and thirsty. His brother Nakul, thus ventured out, to fetch water for him where he found a beautiful lake. The lake was devoid of any living creature except a crane (Baka). When he attempted to take water from the lake, the crane spoke, “Listen Nakul! The water of this lake will turn into poison if you take it without satisfactorily answering my questions.” But Nakul defied the crane and drank the water and died on the spot. So did, Yudhisthir’s other brothers, when they went, looking for Nakul. Finally, Yudhistir followed, in desperation to find his brothers. He arrived at the same lake where he was interfaced with the same crane who revealed himself as a Yaksha—a spirit. Yudhistir answered all the questions of Yaksha and then had the water and even got his brothers back. Well those were the powerful men of those times about which I can only visualise and dream. I wish I had the answers to get you back even when you weren’t the Nakul who drank that water.

But more than that there is this story that really inspires me. There was once a cave that lived underground as most caves do. The cave had spent its entire life in darkness. It had never seen light. One day, a voice came up to him and said, ‘Come up … into the light. Come up … and enjoy the sunlight.’ ‘I don’t know what you mean by light. All I have ever known and seen is darkness.’ The cave replied. ‘Come and see it for yourself,’ said the voice again. The cave mustered up enough courage and climbed up slowly from the depths of the earth. Suddenly, it reached the top of the earth and was surrounded by the magnificent light, the likes of which he had never seen before in his life. ‘This is beautiful,’ said the cave. And after enjoying the light for a while the cave said to the sunlight, ‘Now it is your turn to come with me and see the darkness.’ ‘What is darkness?’ Asked the Sunlight. The cave answered, ‘come and see it for yourself.’ The Sunlight decided to visit the cave’s home. And as the Sunlight entered the cave, it said. ‘Now show me where your darkness is.’ But with the Sunlight, there was no darkness to be found.

In your short life span you came as that sunlight, and you did spread so much light, the nimbus of which can be seen and felt even now. What else Shravan? Rest in piece.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: POWER VERSUS INFLUENCE: Kamlesh Tripathi

December 5, 2020short story, story, storytelling, Uncategorizedinfluencer, kamlesh tripathi, king, kingdom, leader, minister, monkey, moral, parable, power vs influence, shravan charity mission, spy, warshravancharitymission

Once there was a young monkey who was sitting on top of a tree from where, he was keenly watching a person, atop a rostrum, addressing some thousand people, who were standing there.

The young monkey was amazed at this unusual sight. He couldn’t understand, as to why, so many people had gathered around to listen to just one man. So he got very curious, and wanted to know what was happening. But he was clueless.

So he asked the aged monkey who was relaxing on the abutting tree.

‘Who is this man, and why have, so many people gathered around him?’

‘The aged monkey smirked at the novice and said. ‘A person who addresses a gathering of a thousand people in one go is obviously a very influential man. And, in human parlance, he is called a leader.’

‘But I had heard that the most powerful person in a kingdom is the king, who is also, the head of the state.’

‘You are cent percent right. The king indeed is the most powerful person in the kingdom. But then, there is a great difference between power and influence.’ The aged monkey made a point.

‘And what is that?’ Asked the young monkey.

‘See, the king is all too powerful, to lock you up in a cage. But a leader is influential enough, to influence the king, to get you released from the cage.’

‘So then, who is more powerful the king or the leader?’ Asked the young monkey.

‘Well, they both are equally powerful, in their own ways. The king is the divine head of the kingdom, but a leader, or say, all leaders, put together, can make or break the kingdom with a lot of ease.’ Said the aged monkey.

‘In other words you mean to say that the king is, as powerful, or, as weak, as its, treasure of leaders.’ Insinuated the young monkey.

‘Most certainly. A king might think he is the ultimate power in the kingdom, but in reality, he is not, and the same law, also applies, to our kingdom too.’ Replied the aged monkey.

Meanwhile, there was a king’s spy, who was standing below the tree, listening to the conversation of the two monkeys. He soon came and told the king, whatever, the monkeys were discussing.

Upon hearing the spy, the arrogant king was alarmed, at what the monkeys were discussing, so he got them caged separately, as he felt, they were into, some unnecessary gossip, that would have resulted in a canard, both, about his own reputation and his governance. The king then told the monkeys in sheer hubris. ‘Now let me see which influencer, or leader, can get you out of this cage.’

But after a few months only, the neighbouring kingdom, that was perceived, as more powerful, than the king’s own kingdom, threatened to attack. The king got paranoid, even when, he considered himself to be a brainiac. He didn’t know what to do. So he called for all his leaders, ministers and advisors to formulate an immediate strategy to save the country from war. Immediately, some of his advisors said, the king should avoid a battle at any cost, because, the neighbouring kingdom is too powerful, whereas, some said, we should take the enemy head on, come what may.

Finally, after a great amount of deliberation, the king realised, that in his kingdom, there were, more of optimists than pessimists and naysayers, so he decided to launch an offensive against the neighbouring country, which he won.

Thereafter, he rewarded all those leaders, who had advised him to take the enemy head on, and even got the two monkeys released from the cage. But he did not arrest or incarcerate the pessimists and naysayers, realising, they had a mental block towards positive thinking. These events made the king realise about the fruitful connection, between ‘power’ and ‘influence,’ and his inability, to differentiate between them, earlier. He asked the aged monkey, where from, he got this, reservoir of wisdom. The monkey replied he got it from the king’s garden. The king was surprised at this. He asked, ‘how and when?’ The monkey replied.

‘Majesty! Your garden has the best of fruits and vegetables. I often used to hide and feast over there, in my heydays, where, I often heard, your arrogant monologues, and the spite that you had for the leaders and influencers in your kingdom, who were actually intellectuals, in their own right. At that time I had little doubt about you being the supreme power. But when I heard the leaders addressing the common public I released they indeed were the supreme brains. Huzoor, a country can only be run efficiently, by a good blend of the two, and you proved my point when you asked the leaders to formulate a strategy for the kingdom, as you couldn’t do it alone, post which you won the war.’

After hearing out the monkey, the king waited for some moments and then ordered, that the aged monkey be arrested again, for stealing fruits and vegetables from his garden. The younger monkey was sent to the king’s remand home to reform.

Moral of the story: One, power is a royal asset, influence is a wise man’s defense. Two, at times even an honest confession can land you in prison, just like the aged monkey, even years later. Three, even seen with someone can be misconstrued as keeping company, like the young monkey’s short conversation, because of which he had to serve the king’s remand home. Four: Beware, old habits die hard. The king, even after listening to all the grand wisdom of the aged monkey, still returned, to his old habit, and got him re-arrested and sent the younger one to the remand home.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: ‘CHOICE BETWEEN GOLD COIN AND JUSTICE’

October 29, 2020Uncategorizedakbar birbal, birbal, choice between gold coin and justice, kamlesh tripathi, king, shravan charity mission, your majestyshravancharitymission

Just like any other day in King Akbar’s court, one day Akbar asked Birbal, ‘my dear Birbal if I tell you to choose between ‘justice’ and ‘gold coin’ what will you choose? Without ány hesitation Birbal replied, ‘Your Majesty, I will choose a gold coin, without doubt.’ At this, everyone, including king Akbar, was aghast at Birbal’s unexpected and spontaneous reply and thought for a change this time Birbal has fumbled. King Akbar said, ‘I am very disappointed with you Birbal. Why would you choose something of a lesser value, like gold coin, over something, as valuable as justice?’ Birbal replied with a grin on his face, ‘Your Majesty, there is no dearth of justice in your regime, because there is justice everywhere in your kingdom. So, I felt there is no need to ask for something that I have in abundance. But your Majesty … my lord, I’m surely, quite short of money, and a gold coin would be, extremely handy under the circumstances.’ Upon hearing this Akbar was speechless, but he wore a big smile on his face. He felt overjoyed with the reply and rewarded Birbal with 100 gold coins.

Moral of the story: One will always benefit if one chooses’ one’s words, wisely.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

Short stories available in online stores

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June 15 & 20 2020; Indica 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh September 30 2020.

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: ‘HAPPY DAYS’ – Kamlesh Tripathi

September 23, 2020Uncategorizedcitizen, expansionist, kamlesh tripathi, king, kingdom, moral, parable, riyaya, sadhu, short story, shravancharitymission, warshravancharitymission

There was once a king who was perennially unhappy. Either he was warring with his neighbours or he was sulking in his kingdom. He never had happy days, barring the days on which he expanded his frontiers and therefore over a period of time he had become a total expansionist, perhaps, to be happy. One day a learned Sadhu came to his kingdom. The king asked the Sadhu. ‘Hey Budhijivi. I’m often disturbed and never happy and because of this nature of mine even my citizens are not happy. So, can you suggest some ways and means for me to be happy?

Sadhu thought for a moment and then asked.

‘Maharaj, do you keep a count of your happy days?’

‘No.’ replied the king.

‘Then I suggest start keeping. Tell your house-keeper to call a painter and ask him to mark your happy days on the outer side of the boundary wall of your castle.’

‘But, how will that help and will it make me happy?’ Asked the king.

‘I’m not very sure, but I think it may. So make a small beginning and I’ll see you after six months.’ After this the Sadhu left.

The king called for a painter and instructed him, that on the days, he is happy, the painter should make a green mark on the outer side of the boundary wall of his castle. But sadly in the next ten days the painter only sat idle as the king was not happy. One day the king left for a battle. After winning it, he returned happy, and told the painter to colour the first mark of happiness on the boundary wall of his castle.

Upon seeing the green mark on the wall a passer-by asked the painter, ‘what is this green mark for?’ The painter replied, ‘the mark means that the king is happy today.’

The passer-by was aghast to hear this. He asked, ‘does it mean that the king is not happy on the days you don’t put the green mark?’

‘Yes.’ Said the painter. The passer-by was rather surprised at this novel way, the king had adopted to communicate his happiness to his riyaya. He reached home and told his wife that the king is happy today.

‘How do you know?’ She asked.

‘Because the king has instructed his painter to put a green mark on the boundary wall of his castle on the days he’s happy.’

Soon the news spread like wild fire that the king is happy and thus the kingdom started celebrating. But in the castle after that day there was no other green mark that was painted and the painter happened to be merrily sleeping. Based on the reports a few more citizens came looking for the green mark on the boundary wall, but, there were none, barring the first one. This had a negative impact when the news started spreading in the kingdom that the king is now unhappy again and that saddened the riyaya of the kingdom once again.

Thereafter, on the few days, that the painter painted the green mark on the wall, the citizenry of the kingdom was happy, but on a majority of days, it was otherwise, so the citizenry of the kingdom was largely unhappy, even when, the king was an efficient ruler. This kept happening for a few months in the kingdom but the king was unaware about it.

One day a close minister of the king came to meet the king and gave him the feedback of how the citizenry was reacting to the king’s mood. The intelligent king at once realised his mistake—that on most days, the citizenry was unhappy, because the green mark was not put on the boundary wall, because he was unhappy.

Soon the king instructed the painter to increase the frequency of the green mark which the painter did and that blossomed the mood of the citizenry even when the king continued with his spells of gloom which was part of his inherent nature.

After six months the Sadhu returned. He asked the king if his solution had worked. The king replied, ‘it didn’t work for me, but yes, it did make me realise that a leader no matter under what circumstances, should wear a cheerful mask in front of his subjects at all times.

The Sadhu replied. ‘Maharaj well begun is half done.’

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE

June 14, 2020short story, shravan charity mission, Uncategorizedacharya, chief priest, criminal, kamlesh tripathi, king, maharaj, maharani, message, moral, short story, shravancharitymission, theft, thiefshravancharitymission

STORY PUBLISHED IN BHAVAN’S JOURNAL

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be its undying characteristic. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: EAGLE VERSUS SCHOLARS

May 7, 2020Uncategorizedbird trainer, eagle, falconer, hermit, kamlesh tripathi, king, maharaj, majesty, moral, parable, scholar, shlokas, short story, shravancharitymissionshravancharitymission

Once an intelligent king called for a debate to select the most knowledgeable living being in his kingdom. On the appointed date many scholars arrived at the king’s court to test their knowledge. To attract participants the king had also announced an award of ten thousand gold coins for the winner. There was also an eminent jury to decide on the winner with the king having the final veto power.

The debate started with a bang. One by one scholars started unleashing their knowledge to win the prize of ten thousand gold coins. Some scholars made a reference to the king himself and argued that he indeed is the most intelligent being in the kingdom but the king knew, that was sheer flattery. Gradually, the tempo of the debate picked up when, scholars, took their turns, walked up to the dais and munificently spoke, about the various scriptures they had read, thus, justifying themselves, to be the most knowledgeable being, in the entire kingdom.

But all this was not making an impression on the king rather he was feeling dejected when a falconer (a bird trainer) entered the court of the king with an eagle perched on his head.

The king was amused to see the falconer, so he asked.

‘What are you doing in this session of scholars?’

The falconer bowed and said,

‘Maharaj, I have a learned scholar for you, from a faraway kingdom, and he will tell you, who is the most knowledgeable being in your kingdom.’

‘But where is he?’

‘Right here Maharaj.’ The trainer pointed at the old hermit (sadhu) sitting amid the crowd. The hermit rose and confidently walked up to the dais. He first greeted the king and the jury members and then said.

‘Your Majesty! Let me begin by saying, the king is the most powerful entity, but only in the kingdom that he rules. The scholars are the most learned beings but sadly their knowledge is limited only to the books and scriptures that they have read. The most knowledgeable person in your kingdom indeed is the eagle perched atop the falconer’s head.’

The jury looked surprised and shocked at what the hermit had just said. They asked how. Give some logic to prove your point. The hermit replied.

‘The eagle in his flights has seen many kingdoms that you have not seen. The eagle has crossed many rivers, lakes, forests which you have not done. The eagle has been to umpteen mountain peaks that you have not been to. The eagle has flown to a number of ashrams, to listen to those divine shlokas, recited by many learned scholars like you, but you have confined yourself to your own shlokas because of your ego. And Maharaj, it is only because of the eagle’s invitation that I have travelled such a great distance to participate in this august debate organised by you. So, he is the most knowledgeable being in your kingdom.’ Addressing the Jury further he said, ‘just as you have acquired your knowledge through reading the eagle has acquired his knowledge by flying, observing, travel and personal experience. The only difference being you’re articulate and the bird is not.’

The king got up from his throne in excitement for he had indeed found the most knowledgeable being in his kingdom and that was the eagle, and that too along with his trainer and the sagacious hermit.

Moral of the story: Knowledge doesn’t only come by reading. It comes by observing and personal experience too like the eagle.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: ARROGANT KING

April 22, 2020Uncategorizedarrogant, blame, floods, god, kamlesh tripathi, king, kingdom, moral, parable, Rajan, shravan charity mission, wellsshravancharitymission

Many years ago there lived a deceitful king who always blamed God for anything wrong that happened in his kingdom by saying, “It’s all God’s doing.” But at the same time, for anything good that happened in his kingdom he always said, “It’s the king’s doing.”

When there were floods in his kingdom he blamed God. When there was an epidemic he blamed God. When there was a war he blamed God. When there was a drought then too he blamed God. In utter disgust he often used to blurt, ‘it’s all God’s doing,’ and slowly that became his catchphrase. In a vast kingdom such as his, something was always going wrong and that gave him umpteen opportunities to curse God.

Fed up, one day, God approached the king and said,

‘Rajan … While ruling over such a vast kingdom, many things will go wrong and many things will go right and it is but the king’s duty, to take the sum total of it, in his stride. But what I find here is something very strange. For all the things that go wrong in your kingdom, you pass it off as God’s doing, and for all the things that go right, you pat your shoulder, to pass it off as the king’s achievement. Now is that fair?”

The king replied, ‘Prabhu … Of course it is fair.’

‘Then explain how.’ God reasoned.

‘Prabhu … blaming you is like blaming destiny which is ultimately God’s will. Now, who can question destiny that happens to be God in disguise. And yes, I definitely pat myself for things that go right in my kingdom because it only increases my halo, aura and my command over my subjects.’

‘God smiled at the king and said.’

‘Rajan … I suggest for some time now, reverse the trend and witness the change.’

‘Prabhu … I didn’t get you.’

‘Rajan, it’s very simple. For all the things going wrong in your kingdom take the blame upon yourself. Say, it’s the king’s doing and, for all the things going right in your kingdom say, it’s the God’s doing. And, I’ll meet you after a year when we’ll see how the change has affected you and your kingdom.’

King folded his hands, closed his eyes and said, ‘As you wish Prabhu. After which God left for his heavenly abode.

Soon, the king instructed his ministers, to badge him for everything, that was going wrong in his kingdom and praise God Almighty for whatever was going right in the kingdom. The ministers were surprised at this gesture of the king, but then they remained silent since they were subordinates.

Gradually, the work pressure on the king, started increasing, when ‘destiny’ started turning into, shabby governance. The king was now feeling more responsible as he didn’t want his name to get spoilt—earlier it didn’t matter, as it was God’s name that was getting spoilt. So, he immediately took some proactive measures and started participating much more effectively in the day-to-day running of the kingdom. He built suitable embankments before the floods arrived. He got wells dug up before the crop was sown, for irrigation. He built night shelters for the poor before arrival of winters. And when, the kingdom was attacked by enemies he led by example and fought the battle himself from the frontline. He was able to unearth the frauds that were being committed under the banner of destiny by his ministers. The king was now a changed personality.

When the rising waters of the river could not enter the kingdom because of the embankment the king praised the God. Upon the bumper harvest because of the new wells that were dug up before the sowing, he praised God. On the day of inauguration of night shelter he again praised God. And thereafter whenever there was something good happening in the kingdom he only praised God Almighty and said it was all because of his grace.

In a year’s time the reputation of the king took an about-turn. The citizens of his kingdom were now convinced that they couldn’t have had a better king than him. For he took direct responsibility in terms of tackling every challenge that erupted in his kingdom. And at the same time for any success he showed humility and praised God Almighty. This gave an impression to people that the king has become very humble. And with that his overall aura went up.

After exactly a year God came to meet the king. The king was very busy sorting out urgent issues of his kingdom. He requested God to give him some moments so that he could close certain pressing matters and then sit with him with a free mind. God agreed to wait. But in the rush of work the king forgot that God was waiting for him. The king did return to his castle but only after finishing his work which was after a couple of days and found God still waiting for him. The king fell on God’s feet for the delay in attending to him and pleaded forgiveness, profusely.

God helped the king to stand on his feet and then said.

‘Rajan I’m happy to see the change in you, and for worthy King’s like you God doesn’t mind waiting.’

Moral of the story: Work is worship.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

SHORT STORY: BIG JOB WRONG MESSAGE

April 14, 2020Uncategorizedcourtier, kamlesh tripathi, king, kingdom, lesson, maharaj, motal, murder, parable, prisoner, shravan charity mission, society, theft, thief, thunderbolt, timeshravancharitymission

There was once a king who had this strange habit of meeting all the wrong kind of people in his kingdom. He met prisoners charged with murder, theft, so on and so forth. He had directed his prison chief to send him five prisoners every night for a one-on-one. He used to meet them alone but no one knew why.

He had also left instructions that post his meeting no one should cross check with the prisoner about the conversation the king had had with him. And, if ever, it came to his notice that someone in the prison has tried to coax the prisoner to reveal the conversation the prisoner had had with the king that person’s head would be guillotined … he would be beheaded.

The learned class in the kingdom could not comprehend this uncommon trait of the king. Failing which, they became extremely weary of this habit of his.

Unable to hold the suspense one day the queen asked the king.

‘I understand from the wives of the courtiers that the courtiers are extremely unhappy and suspicious of your habit of meeting prisoners every night. What is it that you want to know from them?’

The king said, ‘I get a lot of ground level wisdom from them.’

‘Maharaj … wisdom and ground level don’t go hand in hand. Moreover, you have your guru, teachers, scriptures and your courtiers for the wisdom required to govern the kingdom. Why don’t you keep consulting them on a regular basis instead of meeting these prisoners?’

‘Maharani, I keep doing that from time to time. But for governing a kingdom that alone is not sufficient.’

‘But why Maharaj? Who could be more intelligent than you and your courtiers? They are the cream and elixir of your kingdom.’ The king remained quiet.

One day when the king was passing through his office he saw without being noticed that his courtiers were having a serious discussion. The topic, of course was, the king’s meetings with the prisoners. But the king chose not to disturb them. Rather, he remained unfazed and continued with his normal duties.

One day the chief-Priest approached the king. It appeared he wanted to say something. The king got up from his chair with folded hands and said, ‘pranam acharya.’

‘Aayushman vatsya.’ replied the chief priest. But he did not stop there and continued.

‘Maharaj! You are such a wise and vivacious personality. In addition, you have, intelligent and renowned courtiers too, and that includes me, yet you keep meeting these immoral prisoners. What wisdom do you derive out of them? Our scriptures alone are so very rich that you could efficiently rule your kingdom with the help of them.’

The king looked at the Chief-Priest and politely said,

‘Be that as it may. There is no denying the fact that I have the best of courtiers, and I too, am intelligent enough, to rule the kingdom in the most quintessential manner. But then there are certain limitations.’

‘What limitations Maharaj?’

‘Limitation of … grassroots wisdom.’

‘Can you please explain Maharaj?’ said the Chief-Priest.

Hey Acharya, ‘Crime is a symptom and not the disease. I meet different kinds of criminals only to find out where I’m faltering in ruling my kingdom. For example when I meet a thief, he gives me, grassroots reality, of why he stole, which my official, may not give me. The information that I get from the prisoner, gives me a sense of, what is in short supply, and where and when. Theft, also conveys to me, that the wealth of the country is disproportionately distributed and that indeed is the reason why some are stealing and some are amassing. A murderer tells me why he murdered a person. He narrates the softer issues, whether it was for money, love or revenge and that conveys to me the unease in the society.

After the crop is harvested, the incidents of food thefts come down because, food is abundantly available, but after a few months it starts all over again when the stocks start depleting. When the crop is sown, theft of water goes up because more water is required to irrigate the crops. This teaches me the equation of demand-supply. So, by meeting prisoners I get these titbits. That gives me the ground sense of the happenings in my kingdom.’

The Chief Priest after a while, thought, it was pointless attempting to convince the king so he left for the day. Nonetheless, the king continued meeting prisoners every day as his routine. While the courtiers did not appreciate the king’s gesture of meeting prisoners, the citizenry of his kingdom on the contrary admired and appreciated the gesture.

Time flew. One day the king was interfaced with a young thief. The king asked why he committed the theft.

The young thief replied, ‘Maharaj I committed the theft only to meet you. I had heard, every night you meet five criminals … five criminals, so I took a chance and here I am in front of you. Please bless me.’

The king froze as if he was struck by a thunderbolt.

Moral of the story: Although, the king was doing a great job, he was passing the wrong message. The young thief took the easiest route to meet the king by becoming a criminal.

The story goes out as a caution for our rulers and the media.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share it if you like it

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

Shravan charity mission

Our NGO works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer: We cover our blog with short stories, children's stories, articles, book reviews, vignettes, spiritual, episodes, poetry, analysis, news report, general knowledge, quotes for the benefit of our readers.

Tag Archives: king

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