It is true that honesty and wisdom are great virtues which are rewarded sooner or later. The shepherd was an honest and wise man. He shared his food with an unknown traveller and allowed him to sleep in his cave. As the stranger was the king, so he made shepherd governor of a small district….
Yes, the shepherd was worthy of being rewarded twice. First, the king was impressed by the shepherd’s goodness and wisdom when he visited his cave and made him the governor of a small district because he was glad with him. Secondly, when the king was doubtful about the shepherd’s honesty after hearing false stories about…
The shepherd possessed a lot of good qualities. He was poor and illiterate yet wise. He understood people’s sorrows and troubles and helped them to face their problems with courage. He gave sound advice to people. He was kind and just to all when he became the governor. He was friendly and hospitable to travellers….
When the chest was opened, the people were astonished to see that it contained not the secretly collected treasure, but only an old blanket.
The governors of other states were suspicious and jealous of the shepherd. They thought that he had hoarded a lot of money which he must have dishonestly stolen from the taxes collected from the people. The chest contained this secretly collected treasure.
There was no change in the shepherd’s behaviour even after he became the governor of a small province. He was still as humble as ever.
When the king met him, the shepherd welcomed him warmly. He took the king (disguised as a traveller) inside his cave and gave him water to drink and also shared his insufficient food with him. The shepherd’s wise conversation and hospitality impressed the king.
According to the shepherd, the blanket could save him in the event if the king withdraws his powers.
There was no silver, no gold but old blanket in the box.