The Tale of the Shepherd and the King
There was once a shepherd who loved her sheep and the meadows they grazed upon. She spent her days caring for the fields, planting seeds, and ensuring there was enough water and sunlight for all to thrive.
One day, she stood before her flock and said, “The grass grows best when we care for one another and work together. This is how we all prosper.” The sheep nodded—they could see the green pastures growing richer and fuller under her care.
A king in a grand castle nearby heard her words. But instead of listening to the shepherd’s message, he grew angry. “Who is she to tell others how the grass should grow? I am the king, and I know best!”
The king began telling his own story. “This shepherd just wants to make you follow her rules,” he said. But the sheep noticed that when they followed the king’s advice, the grass began to wither.
A small child who lived in the village watched all of this happen. She looked at the fields and the sheep and saw the truth. “Why is the king upset? The shepherd is only saying what she sees happening right here,” the child said.
The sheep began to talk amongst themselves. They realized that they didn’t have to choose the king’s words just because he was loud or powerful. They could see for themselves that the shepherd’s message was helping them thrive.
Sarvadṛṣṭi (सर्वदृष्टि)
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