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HAIL TO THEE, SPIRITUAL
ENLIGHTENMENT! The boughs of the mango tree were swaying in the gentle spring breeze, and hiding in its rich foliage, the koel filled the-air with its sweet notes. A sage whose fame had spread to the four corners of the kingdom, sat deep in meditation under the cool shade of an asopalav tree.
The ruler of the kingdom, celebrated for his military conquests and his regal pomp, came to offer his respects to the sage. He bowed courteously, but his greeting was not untinged with kingly hauteur.
The sage could read the conflict between arrogance and reverence in the king's mind. He gave him his blessings and then said, “May I ask you a question, Your Majesty: You are the mighty ruler of a great kingdom, but suppose during one of your campaigns you were crossing a hot, sandy desert, thirsting for a drop, of water. If someone offered you a glass of water in return for half your°kingdom, would you accept the bargain?" ..
The king answered promptly, “Certainly, under the circumstances I would not hesitate to part with half my kingdom.”
The . sage went on, “And after drinking this draught, you suddenly found yourself stricken with some fell disease, and someone offered you a cure
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