Do Well Have Well

Once upon a time, King Vardhan was out hunting, when he noticed two snakes engaged in a fight.

The larger snake was white and shining. The other was smaller and black with long, poisonous fangs. Just as the king grabbed up a stone and killed it. Safe at last, the white snake went off into the trees.

Sometime later, the king was confronted by a giant who appeared out of the forest. King Vardhan was very frightened, but the giant reassured him. He told him that he was the white snake that King Vardhan had helped earlier and he explained that the black snake was an enemy who had been trying to poison him. In the course of their battle, both had changed into snakes.

 

‘To show my thanks for your help,’ the giant went on, ‘I would like to offer you a gift. Would you prefer a gift of gold or a gift of healing?’

 

But King Vardhan replied, ‘I am already rich, and the other gift is suitable for a doctor.’

 

Giant asked him that do you want?’ King replied, ‘I want Wisdom.’

 

‘You shall have it plenty of Wisdom,’ promised by the giant.

 

And that was how King Vardhan became the wisest man.