The True Lover Of Music – Short Stories

Once upon a time there was a King who loved classical music very much. He used to invite great musicians to his court and would listen to their concerts. He then bestowed on them many valuables and sent them back with honour. Many people would attend these concerts. They would pretend to be lovers of music and would keep nodding their heads even before the musicians could start singing. Some could appreciate the music truly but the others would come to create a good impression on the king. Day by day the audience to the concerts grew.

The King would silently observe all the people from his throne. But he could not differentiate between those who truly liked music and those who only pretended to do so. He decided to test the true lover of classical music. The King arranged for a very famous musician to give a concert in the palace. Along with the open invitation to attend the concert he also sent a proclamation. The proclamation read that nobody should not their heads or joins the beats of music and no one should voice their appreciation loudly. If anybody was found doing any of the above, their heads would be chopped off.

The day of the big concert came. The King and his family took their seats. Then the other people who had come to listen to the great musician sat down. The musician bowed to the King and began to sing. His voice was so melodious and his command over the music was so much that he held his audience spellbound. Even those who were not at all interested in music felt like shaking their heads as he sang. But the fear of the King’s proclamation kept everybody silent. There was not even a murmur of appreciation. The audience sat like statues without moving.

Now among the audience was a poor man who genuinely loved music. He could not sit still any longer. The musician took a few moments respite to drink some water. Waiting for this, the poor man jumped up and said to the King. “Maharaj, I do not mind losing my head. But I cannot sit still when I hear such wonderful music by a great master. I shall give that beat with my hands and nod my head in appreciation. Let me enjoy the concert first and then you may take off my head.”

Hearing this, the king was very happy. At least one person was there who really loved music so much so that he was even willing to die. The King descended from the throne, came to the poor man and embraced him. He then led him by the hand and seated him in a place of honour just in front of the musician. The king and the poor man enjoyed the concert immensely. Later on the king rewarded him and from then onwards he was always invited to the palace to listen to the concerts.

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Cleverness Pays More – Short Stories

Once upon a time there were two friends John and Tom. Both decided to the King to seek some work. The King put them in charge of his garden. Everyday John and Tom had to water the plants, pull out the weeds, put the manure in the beds and look after the flowers and fruits in the garden. The King observing both the friends. After two months the King increased the salary of Tom. Seeing this John became displeased and was jealous of Tom. He felt that since both were doing the same work, they should be paid the same wages. But he did not know how to tell the King.

One day the King was taking a walk in the garden. Both John and Tom were working. Seeing nobody else was with the king. John made up his mind to speak to the King. He went up to the king and bowed low. “Your majesty, I too worked as hard as Tom. Yet you have not increased my wages. Please tell me why I paid less,” he said boldly.

At that moment, the sound of a music band could be heard nearby.”Go and find out what that noise is” the King told John. Soon he returned saying that a wedding procession was going in the street. The King asked “Whose wedding is it?” John ran out again. Presently he came back and replied “the Zamindar’s son is getting married.”

“To whom is he getting married?” was the King’s next question. John went again and came back panting as the procession had progressed quite a bit. “My Lord, the Head Priest’s daughter is being wedded to the Zamindar’s son” he said.

The King thanked John and then called Tom who was watering the plants on the other side of the garden. “Go and find out what that noise is” The King made the same enquiry to Tom. John was puzzled at the King’s behaviour.

Soon Tom returned and told the King “Your Majesty, that is a wedding procession. The Zamindar’s son is getting married to the Head Priest’s daughter.” He then went to water the plants. The King turned to John and said “Well, now do you understand why Tom is being paid more than you? To answer my question you had to go three times. Tom went only once and gave me all information I required and went back to his work again.”   John hung his head in shame. He could not find any words. He realized his mistake and decided to take more interest in his work.

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