King Vikramaditya and the Hermit

Long ago, there lived a king named Vikramaditya who ruled over Ujjain. He was the most famous and fearless of all the rulers of his time.
One day, he was presiding over his court as usual when a hermit came there. He offered a fruit to the King. According to the King, the fruit had been presented to him in the court, so it was his people’s property. He ordered his treasurer to keep the fruit safe and preserve it carefully.

The next day, the hermit came again and gave another fruit to the King. These visits of the hermit to the King’s court became a routine. Each time he gifted a fruit to the King.
One day, the hermit came as usual to the court. He asked the King, “O King! Where are the fruits I gave you?” The King sent for the treasurer and asked him to show the fruits. The treasurer led the King and the hermit to the place where he had kept the fruits. The hermit asked the King to cut the fruits. To his surprise, each had a gem.
The hermit smiled and said, “I can give you more of these. Your kingdom will prosper and so will your people. But you will have to do something for me in return.” The King thought for a while and asked, “What can I do for you?”

The hermit replied, “In the forest of Tanakpur is a peepal tree in which hangs a corpse upside down. You have to bring that corpse to me.” The King was surprised to hear this. He asked, “Whose corpse is it?” The hermit replied, “A ghost named Baital lives in the corpse.” The King said, “I will get you the corpse in the interest of my people.” The hermit said, “You can commence your mission on the next moonless night. I will eagerly wait for you in the crematory.”
So, on the next moonless night, King Vikramaditya went to the forest. After looking for hours, King Vikramaditya found the peepal tree. He pulled the corpse down, placed it on his shoulder and started for his kingdom to give the corpse to the hermit.

As King Vikramaditya travelled some distance, he heard a voice. It was the ghost in the corpse which spoke to him, “Who are you? Why and where are you taking me?” The King replied, “I am Vikramaditya, the ruler of this kingdom. I have come to take you with me.” The ghost asked, “Why? And who told you about me?”
The King replied, “A hermit told me about you. He needs you. But who are you?” The ghost replied, “My name is Baital. I am prepared to go with you but there is a condition.” “Tell me,” ordered King Vikramaditya. Baital said, “During the journey, I will tell you a story to pass the time. You will not utter a word till you have arrived at your destination. If you speak on the way, I will fly back to my peepal tree.”


King Vikramaditya agreed to the condition immediately. Baital continued, “During my travels, I recount to have heard that you are the most sensible King ruling your kingdom. Now, listen carefully to the story I am going to tell you. You will have to answer my questions also regarding the story. If you deliberately evade answering my questions, I will break your head into pieces.”
The King replied, “Baital, as you know, truth always prevails. I promise not to let you down. I am prepared to hear your story.” Baital responded, “I expect you to keep your word.” Saying so, Baital began the story.

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