The Story Of A Scratch

Once upon a time there was a King. One day, he went strolling in his royal garden. He was admiring the flowers and greenery and enjoying his walk. Suddenly, he saw a man rubbing his back against the gates of the palace.

Seeing this the King became very angry and ordered his guards “Arrest him and bring him before me.”

Saying this the King went to his royal court. The guards arrested the man and brought him at the court. The King looked at the man and asked him “Why were you rubbing your back against the gate?” The man replied shakily “Your Majesty! My back was itching and there was no other way I could get relief.”

The King became thoughtful hearing the man’s reason. He thought for few moments and orders the guards ” Guards! Take him away and give him a warm bath.” “Yes, Your Majesty” replied the guards and took the man away. Then, the King said to his minister “Minister! see to it that he gets some money so that he can keep himself clean henceforth.”

Minister went away to fulfill the King’s order. Soon, the beggar was bathed and fed and sent away with a purse of money.

The news of King’s generosity soon reached all the kingdom. Everyone was talking about what happened.

But, every coin has two sides. With good side comes the bad side too.

There were two beggars in the kingdom. They were friends and used to beg together. They also heard the King’s generosity. Hearing about the incident, one of them suggested “Hey! why don’t we do the same thing?” “Yes, we might get a royal bath and money too,” replied the other beggar hearing the plan of the first beggar. “HE!HE!HE!” both of them laughed.

So, the other day both of them went up to the gates of the palace and started rubbing their backs against it. The guards saw them and arrested both the beggars. “Hey! where are you taking us?” said one of the beggar acting surprised. The guards replied “To the King.” Both the beggars readily agreed to be taken to the King.

They were thinking that everything was working according to the plan and were very feeling very happy.

The beggars were presented in front of the King stating there offense. The king asked “What is the reason of your offensive behaviour?”

One of the beggar replied “Your Majesty! Our backs were itching.” Saying this both the beggars waited happily for the next command of bath and money from the King.

But, hearing the reply the King said authoritatively “Guards! Flog them.”

The beggars were shocked hearing the command. Both of them fell on their knees and said “EH! No. No. Your Majesty!. Have mercy on us! You forgave the other beggar and treated him well, Your Majesty.”

“Yes” replied the King. ” But that man was alone. You are two of you. You could have easily scratched each other’s backs. There was no need of rubbing your backs against the palace gates” explained the King.

Now, the beggars were ashamed of their behaviour. They realized their mistake. However, the King forgave them and sent them away with a warning.

The End