King Banyan Deer was a fabulous golden deer who lived in a forest near Banaras. He was known for his great wisdom and leadership. There was another golden deer in that forest. He was known as Branch Deer. Each of them led a herd of five hundred deer. They lived in amity and peace.
The King of Banaras was very fond of hunting and particularly loved to eat venison meat from a deer. So, he set off across the country to hunt deer. When the King did so, all the villagers in the area had to stop their work and help the King’s hunt. There was no rest for anyone till the King had killed a deer and had his plate of venison.
In desperation, the villagers decided to make a deer park. All the deer were rounded up and put into it. Now, the King did not disturb the villagers. He hunted in the deer park. But the poor deer could not run out of the park anywhere.
King Banyan Deer called a meeting and invited Branch Deer and his herd too to discuss the matter. “We face the same trouble, my friends. So, let us face it together,” he suggested, “Let us give the King one deer every day for his dish— one from my herd and the next from yours. Is that acceptable to all of you?” All the deer agreed. So, the King’s cook got one victim daily to cook for the royal table. The King was happy too.
One day, it was the turn of a pregnant doe from the herd of Branch Deer to be served at the royal table. She wept piteously for her unborn baby who would be killed with her. She pleaded with Branch Deer, but he said there was no way out; he could not break the law. She then pleaded with King Banyan Deer.
He was deeply moved by her plight. He pledged to do something to save all the deer. When the cook came, he found King Banyan Deer with his head on the chopping block. He knew the golden deer was not to be killed. He ran to tell the King of Banaras.
The King came to meet the golden deer and asked, “King of the Deer, why have you come today? You know that I will not kill you.” King Banyan Deer explained that he wanted to save the doe and her unborn fawn; nor could he be unjust to any other deer. The King of Banaras agreed to the great compassion of the deer king who asked that the life of all animals, birds and fish, should be spared. The King of Banaras happily acceded to the request of King Banyan Deer.
