The kingdom of Patliputra was ruled by the mighty king Vikramatunga. Vikramatunga was victorious in every battle that he fought and he was also kind, generous and a very good king.
The king, as was his practice, once went to the forest for hunting.
On the way the king saw a man performing some special fire sacrifice with some fruits.
Though the king saw this the king did not let himself get distracted by the actions of the other man. The king was completely involved in his hunt and he did not pay any attention to anything else around him.
The king spent the full morning in the hunt and he returned in the afternoon.
At that time he saw the same man in the same place sitting before the sacrificial fire.
The king then got off his horse and bowed to the man. “What are you doing here?”
“I am performing a fire sacrifice towards Agni the God of Fire. Long ago, I had learnt about this special means to perform this special sacrifice to Agni. If this sacrifice is properly completed Agni will appear with a golden fruit. The golden fruit given by Agni would give me inexhaustible wealth.”
The man however suddenly looked a little glum. “I have been devoted to Agni and have performed this penance for many years. However Agni has not yet appeared before me.”
The king studied the man for a second. “Please give me the fruit.”
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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