The King’s Thief: A Tale of Hunger, Desperation, and Forgiveness

The King’s Thief

Long ago, in the days when kings ruled over every land and the fate of ordinary people depended on their slightest command, there lived a loyal servant in the court of a mighty ruler. This man was not just any servant; he was a trusted officer, respected by many and accustomed to the honor of serving close to the throne.

One unfortunate day, however, the king became displeased with him. The reason was small, yet kings in those days were quick to anger, and their punishments were severe. Out of irritation, the king ordered the officer to be dismissed from court. Not only that, he gave a strange command:

“You shall not leave your home. You must remain shut inside, neither to work nor to mingle with others. Stay within your walls, day and night, until further notice.”

At first, the punishment seemed simple—almost harmless. But as the days passed, the reality became unbearable. To be trapped in one place, unable to work, unable to see new faces, and with nothing but time to waste—this was no ordinary hardship. The man grew restless, agitated, and full of despair.

Worse still, he had a family to feed. His children’s stomachs cried out for food, and his wife’s anxious eyes reminded him of his duty as a father and a husband. How could he provide for them when he could not even step outside his door? Poverty crept in like a shadow, heavy and suffocating.

Then, by chance, news spread that the king was preparing a grand celebration. The court would once again be filled with ministers, princes, and noblemen. The dismissed officer’s mind began to stir with an idea. Desperation gave birth to cunning.

One afternoon, he turned to his wife and said, “Go to the neighbors and borrow their finest robe. Tell them it is needed for an urgent occasion.”

Obediently, his wife brought home a splendid garment, rich in fabric and glittering with embroidery. The former officer dressed himself in the borrowed attire, and suddenly, he no longer looked like a disgraced servant but like a man of high status.

With his head held high, he walked confidently to the royal palace. The guards, fooled by his appearance, assumed he was an honored guest. They welcomed him with great respect and led him straight into the hall, where he was seated among dignitaries.

The celebration began with grandeur. Music filled the air, dancers performed, and the king presided over the ceremony. When the feast was laid out, trays of the finest dishes covered the long tables. The disguised officer joined in, eating heartily, as though he belonged among them.

But as he ate, greed whispered in his ear. Carefully, when no one was watching, he slipped a golden platter beneath his robes. At the end of the gathering, he slipped away unnoticed and returned home.

That night, he proudly told his wife the entire tale. The golden platter was cut into small pieces and sold in the marketplace, providing them with enough money to live comfortably for months. For the first time since his dismissal, his children went to bed with full stomachs.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the servants soon realized that one golden platter was missing. They searched high and low, trembling with fear of the king’s wrath. When they finally reported the loss, the king remained calm.

“I know a golden platter is gone,” the king said quietly. “And I also know who has taken it. You will not find it, for it has already been cut into pieces.”

The servants were astonished at the king’s certainty, but no further punishment was declared.

A year passed, and once again, the royal festival was held. The dismissed officer, confident in his success, decided to repeat his scheme. Once more, he borrowed the fine robe, entered the palace disguised as a noble guest, and enjoyed the feast. And once more, he attempted to steal a golden platter.

But this time, fate had other plans. As he slipped toward the door, hiding the platter within his clothes, the king himself appeared before him.

The officer froze. His legs trembled, his face turned pale. The king looked directly into his eyes and said, “Last year you carried away one platter. And now you wish to take another?”

The officer’s courage collapsed. The platter clattered to the ground as he fell at the king’s feet, sobbing.

“Your Majesty, forgive me!” he cried. “When you confined me to my home, I had no means to feed my wife and children. Hunger drove me to this shameful act. It was never my nature to steal, but desperation blinded me. Have mercy!”

The king was silent for a long while, lost in thought. At last, he spoke.

“Indeed, the fault is partly mine. I gave a punishment that left you no way to live with dignity. A man without work, with hungry children at home, may be forced to commit sins he never imagined. Your crime was wrong, but so was my decree. Therefore, I shall forgive you. You are restored to your post. But remember—stealing is always dishonorable, no matter the reason.”

Tears of relief streamed down the officer’s face. He bowed deeply, promising never to repeat such an act.

From that day onward, the officer served faithfully, and never again did he resort to theft. The king, too, learned a lesson: he never again punished a man in such a cruel and thoughtless way. Both ruler and servant admitted their mistakes, and their story became a reminder for generations to come.

For in every age, one truth remains: hunger and despair can tempt a man toward crime, but wisdom and compassion can prevent it.