Parables of Wisdom
The Cross-Eyed King
भेंगा राजा · ત્રાંસી આંખવાળો રાજા
Three painters, one king, and a portrait that had to be both true and kind
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
A good king with a squint in one eye wants a royal portrait. One painter flatters him, one paints every flaw, and a third finds a way that is neither a lie nor a wound.
What it teaches Truth Kind speech Wisdom
The opening of the children's telling
Once there was a kind king. One of his eyes looked a little bit sideways. It did not hurt, but sometimes it made him feel shy.
One day the king said, "I would like a painting of myself." Three painters came to the palace.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Speak the truth, and choose the kind way to say it.
To talk about together
Can you think of a way to tell a friend something true without hurting their feelings?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.