Value- Peace

A beggar who lived very close to a palace saw a notice that was stuck on the entry gate one day. It said, “The king would be hosting a party soon. Anyone wearing the king’s dress could join the party.”

It set the beggar thinking. He looked at himself with torn clothes and came to a conclusion that only the king’s family would be able to attend. Anyways, he gained some courage and went to the palace gates. He requested the guard to allow him to meet the king. The guard went in to see the king. As luck would have it, the beggar was allowed entry.His joy knew no bounds. He went inside and the king enquired about the purpose of his visit. He gained courage and said, “I would love to attend the feast that you will be hosting soon. Can I request you to give me your old attire so that I would be able to join the feast too?” The king readily agreed and gave him one of his robes. The beggar wore the outfit and looked at himself in the mirror. A majestic look indeed! He was very happy with his looks.The king told him that he had gained entry to attend the feast and said something very important to him; “You will have no necessity to wash or clean this dress. You can wear it forever.” With tears in his eyes, he thanked the king profusely. Though he was happy he did not readily believe the king. He was wondering; “What if the attire tore?? I will need my old clothes.” So he packed all his old clothes and carried it along with him.He did not have a place to stay. So wherever he went, he carried the old clothes with him. He could not enjoy the dinner feast that the king hosted because his concentration was more on safeguarding the old clothes.
He realised that the words of the king were true. The dress was intact and it didn’t become dirty though he always wore it. Still he was so attached to his old clothes that he could never let go of it. Anyone who saw him noticed that bundle of old clothes and he was named, “THE MAN WITH THE RAGGED CLOTHES.”Later when the beggar was in his death bed, the king came to see him. He noticed that the bundle of old clothes was beside the beggar’s pillow. The king felt sorry for him. The beggar remembered the king’s words. The bundle of old clothes had literally spoilt his happiness.