Once there was a king who was fond of knowing his future from
astrologers. A good astrologer visited the capital of the king. The king called
him to the palace. The astrologer told the king something unpleasant. At this,
the king got furious and condemned him to death. But another thought crossed
his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution. The king then asked.
“How long would you live?” He then thought for a while for some way of escape.
He thought the king would prove him a liar putting him to death. With ready
wit, he said, “The stars declare that I will die only a week before your death!
I shall wait to receive your majesty where you have been sending me.” At this,
the king turned pale. “Drive this wretch away and let him not come again,”
shouted the king.
Or,
Story on A
King and an Astrologer
Once upon a time, there was a king. He was very fond of
knowing his future. A famous astrologer happened to stop at his capital on his
way to Benares. The king called on him to know about his future. The astrologer
told him something unpleasant. At this he got furious. He condemned him to
death saying “Man like you should not live to spoil the peace of the world.”
But another thought had crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for
execution. “How long will you live?” asked the king. Though the astrologer got
nervous he thought a little to reply to the King’s question. He was a man of
ready wit. He said, “The stars declare that I shall die only a week before your
Majesty.” “So goodbye,” he said to the king. Hearing this the king turned pale
like a dead man. He was mentally agitated and did not want to hang the
astrologer. He shouted to his men, “Drive this wretch away”. He also said, “Let
him not come here again.”