Parables of Wisdom
The King and the Gardener
राजा और माली · રાજા અને માળી
A king who could command an army, but not a single seed
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
King Ratnasen believes that everything in his kingdom must obey him, and he wants a garden in full bloom in seven days. His quiet old gardener, Madhav, offers him a small test.
What it teaches Humility Patience Care
The opening of the children's telling
Once there was a king named Ratnasen. Everyone in his kingdom did what he said. So the king thought that everything in the world must obey him.
One day he called his old gardener, Madhav. "A queen is coming to visit," said the king. "In seven days I want my garden full of flowers!"
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
We cannot force a seed to open; we can only care for it and wait with a humble heart.
To talk about together
What is something good in your life that grew slowly, with patience?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.