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True Friendship
A prince and the minister's son were out hunting in the forests.
Both were hungry and exhausted after a long day's wandering.
They found the cool shade of a tree and sat down to rest. Soon,
the prince fell asleep, while the minister's son stayed awake
and kept guard.
A while later a snake slithered towards the prince. Hissing
furiously, it prepared to bite him. However, the minister's
son was quick. He raised his sword. But before he could kill
it, the snake spoke up, ''This prince was my enemy in my past
life. I cannot rest until I drink blood from his neck.''
The minister's son wanted to save his friend's life and he was
also intelligent. "Then, what if I give you some of his blood
to drink. Will that quench your hate?'' Saying this, he knew
he was saving the life of the prince because if the snake bit
him, to draw blood, it would at the same time spit poison that
was sure to kill his friend. The snake agreed. He was only after
the prince's blood, not his life.
The minister's son made a cup out of dry leaves. He climbed
upon the chest of the prince who was still fast asleep. He pulled
out his dagger and made a small slit on the side of his neck.
The sharp cut suddenly shocked the prince awake. But on seeing
that his friend, the minister's son, was holding the dagger,
he closed his eyes again. The minister's son filled the cup
with enough blood and offered it to the snake, which drank the
blood and went its way. Meanwhile, he collected some medicinal
herbs and bandaged the wound. A few hours later, the prince
awoke and made preparations to proceed further. He said nothing
and walked happily as if nothing had happened. Two whole days
passed in the forests, yet the prince never reminded him of
the event.
It was the minister's son who began to grow impatient, as to
why he was not questioned.
He finally said, ''Friend and master, you know that I climbed
upon you and slit your throat, drew blood and then bandaged
you. You even saw me do it. Still why haven't you yet questioned
me or
asked me for an explanation?''
''You are a friend of mine,'' the prince answered. ''I believe
that whatever you may have done must have been for my good.
This is why I desire no explanation.'' He continued, ''If someone
else had attempted this, I would have been suspicious. Does
he want to kill me or rob me? But with you, I know you're a
very close friend and I have boundless trust in you - that my
friend shall never ever do any harm to me.
'' This is the mark of true friendship. A friend is he who is
harsh to you if it brings greater good. And in return, he who
does not sulk or feel hurt by the actions of his friend is a
true friend. One should cultivate such intimate friendship with
the True Sadhu.
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