The Generous King

Once in the kingdom of a certain king, there was the condition of famine. Crops had dried down and the people were starving. To cope up with the situation, they collectively approached the king, who was very generous by nature. He could hardly see his people in such a critical condition. So he at once ordered to open his godowns of grains and made an announcement that all the people may take the required quantity of grains from the godowns of the king. People were overjoyed. They came with their bags and took the needed foodgrains to their homes.

The grandson of a cobbler also heard the announcement. He rushed to his grandfather and told him about the announcement made by the king. Both of them went to the king’s godown. They filled in their gunny bag so much that both the oldman and his grandson together were not able to carry it. The king, disguised as an ordinary man used to roam about amidst his people to share their sorrows. When he saw that the poor old man was unable to carry his bag of grains, he at once came forward, lifted the bag and accompanied the old man and his grandson to their home. When they reached home, the cobbler tried to know the man who helped them to carry such a heavy bag of grains to their home. When the king removed the shawl, the old man was astonished to recognise him. He was their king. The old man fell on his feet. The king embraced the cobbler.

The generous king was none else but the Shere-e-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.