A king and an Astrologer

Once upon a time there was a king . He was very fond of knowing his future from the astrologers. A famous astrologer happened to stop at his capital on his way to Benares . The King called on him to know about his future. The astrologer told him camel unpleasant. The king was used to knowing something pleasant about his future. All astrologers he met previously tried their best to please the king telling this or that. But this astrologer was an honest one. So, he did not hesitate to tell the king the truth. But the king got furious knowing about his unpleasant future. ” He condemned the astrologer to death saying “Man like you should not live to spoil the peace of the world.” But another thought had crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution. “How long will you live?” asked the King. The astrologer had been hopeless about his life.

But now, as the king asked him the question, he discovered a little scope to save his life. with ready-wit the astrologer said, “The stars declare that I shall die only a week before your Majesty.” “So good bye” he said to the King. Hearing this the King turned pale like a dead man. He thought that if he killed the astrologer, he also would die soon. So, he shouted to his men, “Drive this, wretch away.” He also said, “Let him not come here again.” Thus the astrologer was saved from the cruelty of the impulsive king.

Or,

Once there was a king. The king was very fond of knowing his future from the astrologer. A good astrologer visited the capital of the king. The called him to the palace. The astrologer told something very unpleasant. At this the king got furious and condemned him to death. But another thought crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution. The king then asked, “How long would you live?” He then thought for while for some way of escape.He thought that the king would prove him in a liar putting him to death.With ready wit he said, “The stars declare that I’ll die only a week before your death! I shall wait to receive your majesty where you have been sending me. At this the king turned pale. ‘Drive this wretch away and let him not come again’ shouted the king.