Merchant Strong-Tooth and the Careless Whisper

In a busy place called Growing City lived a merchant known as Strong-Tooth. He was trusted not only with his shops and caravans, but also with many affairs of the city. He listened carefully to the king, treated townspeople fairly and solved problems before they grew.

Because Strong-Tooth balanced so many needs wisely, both the palace and the marketplace respected him.

One spring, Strong-Tooth's daughter was married. He invited the king, the royal household, teachers, craftspeople, neighbors and palace workers to a great celebration. The courtyard glowed with lamps and flowers. Musicians played while guests shared a generous meal.

Among the guests was a palace cleaning attendant named Bull. Bull worked hard, but he did not know all the customs of a grand wedding. When he saw an empty cushioned place near the front, he sat down to rest.

The place had been reserved for the king's elderly teacher.

Strong-Tooth noticed at once. The teacher was approaching, and many guests were watching. Worried about the ceremony, Strong-Tooth corrected Bull in front of everyone.

“That place is reserved,” he said sharply. “Please move.”

Bull stood and went away. Strong-Tooth had solved the seating problem, but he had not protected Bull's dignity. Bull felt small and deeply embarrassed.

That night Bull could not forget the watching faces. His hurt slowly turned into resentment.

Early the next morning, Bull was sweeping a quiet room in the palace. The king was still half asleep. Thinking about Strong-Tooth, Bull muttered, “How bold of him to boast that the king trusts him more than anyone.”

The king suddenly sat up.

“What did you say?” he asked.

Bull became frightened. “Your Majesty, I slept badly and was muttering without thinking. I do not even know what I said.”

But the words had already planted doubt in the king's mind. Strong-Tooth entered many parts of the palace and managed important work. Perhaps, the king wondered, the merchant had truly become proud.

Without asking Strong-Tooth for an explanation, the king ordered the guards not to admit him. Strong-Tooth lost his responsibilities overnight.

Strong-Tooth was shocked. He reviewed every decision he had made but could find no reason for the king's anger.

Then, at the palace gate, he heard Bull warn a guard, “Be careful. Strong-Tooth is powerful. He may have you sent away, just as he sent me from my seat.”

Strong-Tooth finally understood. Bull's words must have caused the trouble.

At first he felt angry. Then he remembered the wedding. Bull had made a mistake, but Strong-Tooth had corrected him publicly and harshly. A good manager should protect people's dignity even while solving a problem.

That evening Strong-Tooth invited Bull to his home. He offered him two fine but practical cotton garments and said, “I should have spoken to you privately and helped you find another place. Instead, I embarrassed you. I am sorry.”

Bull had expected another scolding. The honest apology surprised him.

“I should not have let my hurt become a careless rumor,” Bull replied. “I accept your apology, and I am sorry too.”

The next morning Bull returned to his palace work. Once again the king was resting nearby as Bull swept.

This time Bull muttered something completely absurd: “How remarkable! The king eats cucumbers while standing on his head.”

The king sprang upright. “Nonsense! You have never seen me do such a thing.”

Bull bowed. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I must still be sleepy. Sometimes foolish words escape before I think.”

The king paused. If Bull could mutter one impossible claim, then his earlier words about Strong-Tooth might also have been meaningless. The king realized that he had punished a trusted person without checking the truth.

He summoned Strong-Tooth immediately.

“I listened to a rumor instead of speaking with you,” the king admitted. “That was unfair.”

He restored Strong-Tooth's responsibilities and welcomed him back with honor. City business soon ran smoothly again.

Strong-Tooth never again forgot that every person deserves respect, whatever work they do. Bull learned that hurtful words can travel farther than we expect. And the king learned to seek the truth before making a judgment.

From then on, the three men spoke more carefully, listened more fairly and treated one another with greater dignity.