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.