Everything Happens for the Best

Note: This is a story that I heard from my teacher at an Art of Living course. Its depth and inspiring nature motivated me to write it down and post it in here.

A long time ago in a kingdom far away, ruled a righteous King. The King was a great man by all means and he always sought the wise counsel of his prime minister in the affairs of the state. The prime minister was also the King's best friend, and they both spent their free time hunting and fencing.

It so happened that one day, during a fencing match, the King was gravely injured by the prime minister. The Royal arm was bleeding profusely, and the open skin was foretelling a deep scar. The King was in a great deal of pain. The prime minister, however, was extremely calm. He said:

- "My dear friend, worry not, for everything happens for the best."

The King, upon hearing those words, could not contain his anger. He burst out screaming for his guards, and ordered them to take the prime minister to jail. Without offering any resistance, the prime minister allowed himself to be taken away.

A few weeks later, the King's injury healed leaving behind a huge scar. There was no pain, if not for the unpleasant feeling that looking at his own arm would bring him. The prime minister, on his part, was still unforgiven and lingering in jail. This was troubling the King a great deal, but he had decided that he wanted to be firm on his decision. To forget about this issue, he ordered his guards to prepare for a hunting party.

So the King set off to the forest, accompanied by a few men. His mind would however come back to his friend who was in jail on his orders. Had he been too harsh? He could not be sure. It was true that the words of the prime minister were senseless, but then he had not acted on purpose, nor with an ill intention. Yet, he was the King! Uttering such words at an ill moment would mean great disrespect, justifying the jailing of the offender.

For a long time the King kept thinking, and he totally forgot about the party that was accompanying him. When he looked back, he could not find his men anywhere. A small fear struck in the King's heart, but he turned back and rode towards his palace, hoping to find his men. Unfortunately, the treacherous roads within the forest led the King to deeper and unknown paths, and for hours and hours, the King kept looking for the way back, in vain. Darkness was creeping in and what was a small worry within the King's heart became tangible fear. Sleeping in the forest at night all alone was dangerous. Wild creatures roamed freely at this time, and one could easily lose one's life. The King could not stop wondering whether that was punishment from God for jailing his own friend.

Desperate to get back, the King rode on, without giving up. He went into narrower and darker roads, following his own instinct. At last, the King found a village. He felt his fears evaporate as he shouted loudly: "I am the King! I am the King! Help me!"

Four villagers came out. Two of them grabbed the King's horse, while the rest pulled down the ruler. The King only understood this as joy on the part of his citizens on meeting their King, and he laughed and allowed them to carry him.

- "I am the King! I am the King! Don't worry, I'm alright, I just lost my way!"

The two men carried the King to the center of the village. That was when the King realized that he was in the company of very strange people. A huge man came out, and he looked like the leader of the village.

- "Who are you?" asked the chief.
- "I am the King of this country, and I lost my way while hunting in the forest."

The village chief turned back and spoke to his friends. Everyone seemed genuinely happy, and they nodded their heads in agreement.

- "We worship the demon Kali, and today we would have sacrificed one of our own for our ritual. However, since you have come, I can only understand that this is destiny. We will sacrifice you tonight, when the moon is high up in the sky."

The King was numb with fear and astonishment. He looked around, and every single one of the villagers looked satisfied.

- "But I am the King! The King! I can give you anything you want! Tell me what it is that you desire? Money? Food? Clothes? I have it all! I can give it to you! You have my word!"
- "We do not wish for such things. Men! Take him away and have him take the ritual bath!"

The two men who were holding down the King dragged the latter into a hut. The King kept yelling: "I am the King! I am the King! You cannot do this!" but nobody would pay attention to his words. They took off his armour, and started to undress him. The King, understanding that all hope was now gone, quit fighting back.

Suddenly, one of the men saw the huge scar on the King's arm. Astounded, he examined the scar and called the village chief who also came to inspect it. After much debate, they gave the King back his clothes and his armour and brought him to his horse.

The King, who could not understand much of what was happening, felt like he was dreaming. He quickly climbed on his horse and after assuring himself that it was all real, turned back and asked the chief:

- "But why are you letting me go? I thought you were going to sacrifice me?"
- "No, we cannot use you as a sacrifice. Your scar makes of your body imperfect. We need to sacrifice someone with a perfect body to the demon Kali. Go, take your horse and never come back!"

The King didn't wait much longer, and rode off towards the exit of the village. Behind him, the men were fighting for none of them wanted to be sacrificed.

After many long hours of riding, the King finally reached the end of the forest. His subjects, upon seeing him, were extremely happy. They all went to meet the King, and escorted the latter to his palace.

The first thing the King did was to free his old friend. The latter came to the court, pale and a bit thinner, but still smiling. The King then narrated his story to his friend and everyone present.

- "I told you, everything happens for the best."
- "But then, my good friend, tell me what good did that whole week in jail do to you?"

The prime minister thought for a moment before replying:

- "My King, had you not put me in jail, I would've come hunting with you, and surely I would have been the one to be sacrificed in your place!"

There ends the story of the great King and his wise minister.