Kindness Matters
The ministers were singing glories of their king, Krishnadevaraya, who was the emperor of Vijaynagara. The king was swelling in joy and pride. After all, it was his able rulership that the prisons were nearly empty, his treasury and granaries full and the citizens paid their taxes.
“Since I’m a loving, upright and an honest person at heart,” the king said, “it is but natural that my subjects are like me.”
The courtiers agreed wholeheartedly and spoke at length of the virtues of their king. The special advisor to the king, Tenali Rama, however, kept quiet throughout.
“Why, Tenali Rama,” the king asked noticing the disapproving look on his face, “you don’t seem too happy to hear about my qualities?”
“Who can deny your goodness, Maharaj!” Tenali Rama said, “It’s just that, I think differently on this matter.”
“How?”
“Surely, your virtues matter and inspire people, but that’s not the reason why they pay their taxes on time or refrain from any form of misdemeanor.” “Then?”
“It’s because we have the right system in place. Without that, the scene would be very different.”
“I disagree,” the king said. “People are good because they are inherently good.”
