Once upon a time there lived a king, a descendant of an ancient and powerful dynasty. The intrigues of the courtiers and a sad set of circumstances deprived him of the throne, and he was forced to flee from his enemies under cover of darkness.
By the end of the next day, the king was completely exhausted and wet to the bone from the rain. In the middle of a deserted swamp, he came across a small hut that was used by local shepherds to rest. He thought he could rest there for a while.
Going inside, he discovered that two shepherds were there taking refuge from the weather. These people were sitting in front of the fire, wrapped in blankets against the cold. They greeted him warmly, sat him down by the fire and shared with him the simple food they had - a little cheese and onions.
“Someday, when I take my place on the throne again, I will be able to repay you for your hospitality with royal generosity,” the king said to the shepherds in parting.
Although both shepherds offered food to the king with equal generosity, they nevertheless possessed certain qualities to varying degrees. The first shepherd told everyone and everywhere that he was better than any noble because he fed the king in that difficult time when there was no one else who could do it.
The second shepherd, looking soberly at this whole situation, said to himself: “The fact that I was in the hut and that I had some kind of food with me was an accident. My offering food to the king was a normal action. Nevertheless, the king, with truly royal generosity, chose to interpret these facts as my merit. Well! Now it’s my turn to be inspired by this example and make myself at least somewhat worthy of such nobility.”
After two or three years the king regained his throne and soon sent messengers for the two shepherds. Each of them received rich gifts and high positions at court. However, the first shepherd, who in the past had made no effort to improve and prepare himself, soon indulged in palace intrigue and was put to death for his participation in the conspiracy. The second shepherd, on the contrary, worked so hard and well that the king, having reached old age, appointed him as his successor. And this successor, although he did not have a drop of royal blood in his veins, ruled his people wisely and fairly.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru