VIKRAM – BETAL : REWARD FOR THE GATEKEEPER
Once again, King Vikram went back into
the dense forest to fetch Betal, who had flown
away after Vikram had answered his question.
Betal, as always, began another interesting story to keep Vikram entertained during the
journey.
Once upon a time there lived a king named Chandrakant.
He was very popular due to his valour and generous nature.
One day, a guard, who was responsible for guarding the main entrance of the palace,
came to him and told him, “His Majesty!
You must alert our soldiers, as the enemy’s army might attack our country within a few
days.”
Chandrakant asked him how he could know that beforehand.
The guard did not give a proper reply to his question and said that it was just a hunch.
After a few days, the neighbouring country did launch a massive attack on Chandrakant’s
kingdom, but as his soldiers were alert, they were able to counter the attack.
The enemies were vanquished and King Chandrakant was able to save his kingdom.
Once the war was over, he decided to give a suitable reward to the guard for his accurate
information.
Next day, the guard was summoned to the court to receive his reward from the king.
The king asked him once again that how he could predict so accurately that the enemies
were going to attack the kingdom.
The guard replied, “Sir, I can see things which are going to happen in my dreams.
One night, while I was on duty, I had a dream about the enemy's army attacking us.”
After hearing this, the king gave him one thousand golden coins.
But then, he suddenly said to the guard in a firm tone, “You are dismissed from your
post of the guard.”
Everyone in the king’s court was surprised by the king’s decision, but no one dared
to ask him why.
The guard quietly accepted the king’s decision.
He bowed down before him and went away.
After the story, Betal asked Vikram, “Could you tell me why the king dismissed the guard
even when he had helped him win against the enemy?
Vikram answered, “Betal, the duty of a guard is to take care of the palace’s gate.
As the guard said that he had a dream while on duty, the king realized that he was sleeping
on duty.
Although he had helped him win against the enemy's army, he forgot to do his duty.
That is why the king had dismissed him from the post of the guard.”
As soon as Vikram finished his answer, Betal flew back to the tamarind tree.