The King & The Mango Tree
One day, as my Master was travelling in the country side, he met a King who was out hunting with his guards. The king paid respect to my Master, and asked,
“Oh wise one, your tales of wisdom are heard far and wide. I wish to be wise as you too. Tell me, what can I do to attain more wisdom, Master.”
My Master nodded, looked around, and spotted a mango tree.
He gestured to the tree and asked the King,
“Oh King, tell me this. Other than this mango tree, are there any other mango trees in the world?”
The King raised an eyebrow at such a peculiarly easy question.
“Yes, Master. There are of course other mango trees in the world.”
My Master nodded. “Good. And other than this mango tree, and the other mango trees, are there any other trees that are not mango trees?”
Again, the King shrugged and said, “Yes, of course there are other trees which are not mango trees in the world, Master.”
My Master nodded again. “Good, oh King. And other than the other mango trees, and the trees that are not mango trees, are there any other trees in the world?”
Now, the King was furious. He wasn’t amused with such easy and pointless questions.
He raised his voice and scolded, “Master, I really do not know how these questions about trees can make me any wiser. Those questions are so easy even a young child can answer them. How can these questions increase my intelligence so I can become a wiser king?”
My Master just smiled, and kept quiet, as he waited for a proper answer.
Sensing that the question has yet to be responded, the King impatiently said “To your last question, Master, no. There are no other trees.”
My Master bowed his head, showing respect to the King, and replied, “No, oh King. If you had listen carefully and not let your emotions and judgement cloud your listening, you would know there is still one tree left in the world.”
With that my Master pointed and explained,
“It’s this mango tree.”
Embarrassed, the King knelt down at my Master’s feet and seek forgiveness for his rude behaviour earlier. My Master just smiled, and continued on his journey.