An ascetic, who was the guest of a king, thought of returning to his hermitage. But, he needed an umbrella and a pair of single-soled shoes. He decided to ask the king for those but thought, ‘What if the king refuses to give me those? I will not be able to bear that and our friendship will also break.’ So, he kept quiet. Twelve years passed by. One day, the king thought, ‘There is something the ascetic wants from me but is not able to ask. I will offer him everything, even the kingdom.’ The king said to the ascetic, “You want something from me but have hesitated for twelve years. I can give you my whole kingdom.” The ascetic said, “I do not want your kingdom but a pair of single-soled shoes and an umbrella. I could not ask you because I thought if you refused, I would be shattered and our friendship would break.” The king fulfilled his needs and bade a tearful goodbye.
The Umbrella and the Single-Soled Shoes
