307. The Courtier Who Tresspassed Harem

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, a courtier fell into an intrigue in the king’s harem, and an attendant of this courtier did the same thing in the courtier’s house. The man could not endure to be thus affronted. So he led the other before the king, saying, “My lord, I have a servant who does all manner of work, and he has made me a cuckold; what must I do with him?”

On hearing this, the king uttered:-

“I too have a zealous servant; and here he stands, indeed!

Good men are rare now; so patience is my rede.”

The courtier saw that these words of the king were aimed at him; and afterwards he refrained from doing so. And the servant likewise, having come to know that matter had been told to the king he refrained from doing so.

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