“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  King Brahmadatta’s army rode out to conquer king Dighiti.

Brahmadatta’s army thundered across the land, the horses hooves pounding against the ground. When Dighiti’s watchmen felt the earth tremble beneath them, they looked out and saw Brahmadatta’s powerful army with their swords raised, emerging from a cloud of dust. They ran to inform the king of the terrible sight.

Dighiti realized that his puny forces could not resist Brahmadatta, and compassion filled his heart. He addressed his generals, “We cannot hope to win a battle against Brahmadatta. He will slaughter our people and destroy their homes. If we wish this kingdom to survive, we must surrender.”

Then he turned to his wife and said, “We must leave this place. If Brahmadatta finds us, he will publicly humiliate and execute us. Let us go to Benares. It is a big city and Brahmadatta will not expect us to flee to our enemy’s home. He will never look for us in his own city.”

Disguising themselves as wandering ascetics, they made their way to Benares, where they came upon an abandoned potter’s hut. They settled on the outskirts of the city. Every day, Dighiti went into the streets with his bowl and begged for alms to feed his wife and himself.

What will become of Dighiti and his wife?

Next time:”The Birth of a King?”