The King Who Learned to Investigate

A king had two sons who loved learning. After their mother died, he married again. The new queen disliked the princes and falsely claimed that they had behaved badly toward her.

Without asking his sons what had happened, the angry king ordered his vizier to punish them. The vizier knew the boys were innocent. He quietly sent them beyond the city and told the king they were gone.

After a long journey, the brothers entered the service of another ruler. They joined two experienced guards, and the four took turns protecting the royal chamber at night.

During the first watch, the elder prince saw a snake moving toward the sleeping king and queen. He safely trapped it beneath a heavy basket. Just then the king awoke and saw the guard standing close to the bed. He immediately suspected treachery.

“What should happen to a disloyal guard?” the king asked the next watchman.

“First hear a story,” the guard replied. He told of a falcon that knocked away a traveller's cup because the water was unsafe. The traveller nearly punished the bird before discovering the danger.

The third guard told of a loyal dog that found a merchant's stolen goods. Its owner almost scolded it for returning unexpectedly, but paused long enough to read the message tied to its collar.

“A quick judgment can turn gratitude into regret,” said the guard.

The younger prince, who kept the final watch, then revealed their own story. “My brother came near your bed because he was protecting you. Look beneath the basket. Our father once believed a false accusation without speaking to us. Please do not repeat his mistake.”

The king investigated. He found the trapped snake and heard every guard's account. He thanked the elder brother for his courage and apologized for his suspicion.

The two princes were appointed as trusted advisers. They later sent a respectful message to their father explaining the truth. Ashamed of his haste, he invited them home and listened to them at last.

From then on, both courts followed a new rule: no judgment before questions, and no punishment before evidence.