Thursday, February 14, 2019

A Wise King Learns from a Foolish Monkey


A Wise King Learns from a Foolish Monkey

A huge dominion, had a king of old,
but a small near duchy he doesn't hold.
He says “That bit of land I need.
Army, from bottom to top take heed”.

His men are gathered ready to go,
the war plan they all do know.
Then in the field the king sees
a monkey holding a fist of peas.

One more pea the monkey spies
picking up that one orb he tries.
Instead they all to the ground run,
now of all the peas he has none.

The king carefully watches with insight,
thinks what risk he takes with this fight.
He quickly orders home his troops all,
for a small prizes, he doesn't hazard a fall.


Original Jataka tale on which the poem is based.

1 comment:

  1. Very Wise King. A tremendous amount is given up in the pursuit of greed.

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