Once, there was an astrologer who was renowned for his accurate predictions. The king summoned him one day and said, “I am worried about my future. Tell me what there is in store for me.” The astrologer said, “Your Majesty, I will tell you about the good things first.” Then he told the king about all the good things that would happen in his life. Next, he predicted the bad things that would occur in the king’s life. But this made the king angry. He asked, “Your predictions are so accurate. Can you predict your own death?” The astrologer sensed danger. He knew that whatever date he would predict, the king would change it by punishing him with a death sentence. So he cleverly replied, Your Majesty, I will die just one day before you.” The king was pleased with the astrologer’s witty remark and rewarded him with gold coins and jewels.
The King and the Astrologer
