King Learns Respect for His Queen Through Bodhisatta’s Wisdom

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta served as a wise advisor to a king who had grown old and fearful of his son, the viceroy. Concerned that his son might usurp the throne, the king banished him from the city. The young prince, accompanied by his main wife, retreated to a distant borderland, where they lived a humble life in a leaf hut, subsisting on wild roots and forest fruits.One day, while reading the stars, the prince learned of his father’s death and decided to return to claim his rightful place on the throne. During the journey back to the city, he and his wife encountered some hunters who offered them a roasted lizard to eat. As they sat by a lake, the prince greedily consumed the entire lizard while his wife went to fetch water. When she returned, he deceitfully displayed only the tip of the tail, claiming that the lizard had escaped. His wife, suppressing her anger, replied calmly, “There’s nothing you can do when a roasted lizard runs away,” and they continued their journey.Upon returning to the palace, the prince was crowned king and made his wife queen consort. However, he soon neglected her, choosing instead to indulge in relationships with other women. The Bodhisatta recognized that the queen deserved respect and decided to advocate for her.In front of the king, he asked why she did not offer gifts to the royal court. The queen responded sadly, “What can I give when my husband gives me nothing? Even during our travels back here, he wouldn’t share his roasted lizard.” She recounted the entire story of her husband’s selfishness.The Bodhisatta then posed a poignant question: “Why do you stay with a man who disrespects you?” He added wisely, “When a tree goes barren, birds fly to a new grove.” As he spoke with her, the king began to reflect on all the good qualities of his wife that he had overlooked. Realizing his mistake, he apologized sincerely and vowed to treat her with the respect she deserved. From that day forward, he showered her with love and gratitude for her unwavering loyalty.

The Buddha’s Reflection

In later years during the Buddha’s lifetime, this tale took on profound significance. The king and queen were revealed to be earlier incarnations of a husband and wife who had traveled from their city to collect a debt. On their journey home, they too had been given a roasted lizard by hunters. The husband had eaten it all while his wife fetched water and lied about its escape when she returned.Later, they visited the Buddha’s monastery where he asked the wife if her husband was kind and loving. She replied with love for him but lamented that he did not reciprocate. The Buddha then recounted this story from their past lives to illustrate that their dynamic had repeated itself over time. After hearing these words of wisdom from the Buddha, the husband recognized his selfish behavior and resolved to change.Moral: This tale teaches us that recognition and appreciation are vital in relationships. It emphasizes that love should be mutual and respected; neglect can lead to resentment and sorrow. By fostering open communication and valuing one another’s contributions, we can cultivate deeper connections built on trust and compassion. Understanding this principle helps us build healthier relationships and promotes harmony in our lives.