“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  Dighavu became the king’s elephant trainer. How will he use his new position the service of his father’s murderer?

Dighavu often awakened early, before the light of day gilded the sky. It was his habit on those days to take his lute into the stable yard and play sweet melodies as he welcomed the dawn with a delicate song.

One such morning Brahmadd]atta, whose dreams had not allowed him to sleep, restlessly prowled the palace grounds. When he reached an empty courtyard on the far side of the elephant barn, the sweet sound of Dighavu’s music floated through the air and reached Brahmadatta’s ears. As he listened, the burden of his troubling thoughts slowly eased and drifted away.

The music stopped and Brahmadata returned to his bedchamber. Calling one of his servants, e asked, “This morning I heard a beautiful song that gladdened my heart. Who makes such music?”

His attendant replied, “The master of elephants has a young apprentice who is talented in many ways. I have heard that he likes to sing and play the lute. Perhaps it was him you heard.”

“I would like to meet this young man,” said Brahmadatta.

Later that morning, Dighavu appeared before the king. “Young man,” said Brahmadatta,” was it you who played such a sweet melody this morning?”

“I was singing in the stable yard this morning,” answered Dighavu

“Sing for me now.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty,” and Dighavu sang a tantalizing song that charmed the king.

Brahmadata wa impressed with the young man’s demeanor and abilities, and he said, “I could use someone of your sensibilities to wait on me.”

“As you wish,” Your Majesty,” replied Dighavu, and he became Brahmadatta’s personal attendant.

Another step closer to his father’s killer, will Dighavu avenge his father’s death?

Next time: An Opportune Moment