In a kingdom plagued by famine, the king convened his council of ministers and noblemen to address the pressing issue of food scarcity. As the discussion turned to the affordability of sustenance, opinions varied, with most pointing to grains and crops as the cheapest sources of nutrition.
However, one nobleman, renowned for his prowess in hunting, proposed a different perspective - that meat, procured with relatively less effort, could be considered the cheapest food item. His assertion garnered support from many in attendance, but the prime minister remained notably silent.
When pressed for his opinion, the prime minister deferred, promising to present his thoughts the following day. Under the cloak of nightfall, he embarked on a clandestine mission, visiting each nobleman and minister in their homes.
With a solemn plea, he requested a mere 20 grams of flesh from their hearts, purportedly to save the king's life, offering a handsome sum of gold coins in return. Yet, one by one, each nobleman and minister recoiled in horror, unwilling to part with even a fraction of their flesh.
Instead, they proffered vast sums of gold coins in exchange for their refusal, collectively amassing a fortune overnight. With a heavy heart, the prime minister returned to the palace before dawn, his satchels brimming with gold.
As dawn broke, he presented the amassed wealth before the king and his court, revealing the truth behind his nocturnal quest. The king's eyes widened in astonishment as the prime minister unveiled the exorbitant sum, a stark contrast to the mere 20 grams of flesh he had sought.
With a solemn gaze, the prime minister addressed the court, his words echoing with the weight of truth. "Life is priceless," he declared, "and the value of flesh pales in comparison to the value of compassion and empathy."
In that moment of clarity, the court realized the folly of their perspective, acknowledging the inherent worth of all living beings and the importance of extending kindness and compassion to every creature, great and small.
And as the lessons of empathy and understanding reverberated throughout the kingdom, hearts softened and minds opened to the boundless power of compassion, illuminating a path of harmony and respect for all living beings.