“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.” As Brahmadatta watched the blaze of Dighiti’s funeral pyre he feared a never ending cycle of retribution.

When the funeral ritual was completed, Dighavu walked deep into the forest where he wept and wailed unil all the tears had left his body. Numb and exhausted, he collapsed to the ground and slept for several days. When he awoke, the raw wound of his grief had hardened into resolve, and, in the dark recesses of his mind, a plan began to take shape.

Dighavu went into the center of the city and found Brahmadatta’s palace. He stood at the gates of the royal elephant barn and asked the elephant trainer, “How can I learn the art of training elephants?”

The master of the elephants looked Dighavu over and, judging him a capable young man, declared, “I will take you on as an apprentice and teach you how to train elephants.”

Dighavu learned quickly and his reliability and engaging manner endeared him to all who worked in the stables. Yet he kept his identity a secret, going by another name.

How will Dighavu use his new found position in the service of his father’s enemy?

Next Time: “From Elephant Trainer to Personal Attendant”