In a prosperous kingdom, a wise and affluent King ruled over content subjects. However, a sudden and severe famine struck, causing crops to wither, and farmers struggled to meet their tax obligations. The dwindling revenue left the treasury empty, and worry crept into the King's mind.
Even after the famine subsided, the King continued to fret incessantly. Concerns about potential future calamities, neighboring threats, and ministerial conspiracies plagued his thoughts, robbing him of sleep and peace.
One day, a monk arrived at the royal court, and the King, desperate for solace, shared his troubles. The monk offered a profound solution, suggesting that the root of the King's worries lay in the kingdom itself. He proposed transferring the burden to the King's son or even to the monk.
Embracing the monk's counsel, the King relinquished his kingdom to the monk, who then challenged the King to find purpose and contentment in performing his duties rather than carrying the weight of the entire kingdom.
Curious, the King inquired about his livelihood. The monk, explaining that the treasury was no longer at his disposal, encouraged the King to seek employment within the palace. Intrigued, the King agreed, and his responsibilities now included managing the kingdom on behalf of the monk.
Days passed, and the monk revisited the palace. He inquired about the King's well-being, asking whether he felt hungry or could enjoy restful sleep. The King joyfully confessed to newfound satisfaction, expressing bewilderment over the transformation.
The monk smiled and explained that when the King considered his duties as burdensome, they weighed heavily on his mind. However, by embracing the tasks as responsibilities, the King had liberated himself from unnecessary worry.
Moral: "Whatever work you do in life, do it considering it as your duty, not as a burden. This way, you can stay away from worry."