A stranger arrived at a king's court seeking employment. When asked about his abilities, he claimed, "Whether man or beast, I can tell their true nature by simply observing them."
Impressed, the king appointed him supervisor of his prized horses.
After some time, the king inquired about his most expensive and favorite steed. The man replied, "Your Majesty, this horse is not of pure breed."
Surprised, the king summoned the stable manager from the royal stables and questioned him. The manager explained, "The horse is indeed purebred, but its mother died during childbirth, and it was raised on cow's milk."
The king called his employee and asked, "How did you know the horse wasn't purebred?"
He replied, "When this horse grazes, it lowers its head like a cow, while a purebred horse keeps its head raised while grazing."
Pleased with his acumen, the king generously rewarded him with grain, ghee, poultry, and eggs, and appointed him to the palace.
Some time passed, and the king asked him about the queen. He said, "She acts like a queen, but she is not of royal birth."
Astonished, the king summoned his mother-in-law and shared the matter. She confessed, "Indeed, you are the son of a shepherd. Our child did not survive, so we adopted you."
The king again called the servant and asked, “How did you know?”
He answered, "When kings bestow rewards, they give jewels and gold, but you give grain, livestock, and food supplies. Such behavior is not of kings, but of a shepherd's son."
The king was greatly amazed.
Indeed, a person's wealth, prosperity, status, knowledge, and strength are all outward manifestations. A person's true identity lies in their behavior and intentions!
