THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS: Once upon a time there lived a king. He was not only very rich and ruled over a vast country but was blessed in other ways also. He had a beautiful wife, good friends and no enemies. His kingdom was free from miseries and people lived an easy life. Yet, the king was always unhappy. For him there was no joy in life. He kept on asking people how to find happiness. One of his friends, who loved eating delicious food, suggested that the king should eat only the best food to lead a happy life. The king collected an army of good cooks and began to eat the best meals prepared by these cooks. But after some time, boredom and unhappiness again took over. After a few days he found that he had no desire to even eat. After this experiment failed another well wishers of the king suggested that wealth was certainly the source of great happiness. The king liked the idea. His treasure-house was opened and he began to purchase gold, gems and pearls in large quantities. Yet, the happiness he had been seeking for so long eluded him. Another friend suggested him that lies in the war front. The king found this to be a fine suggestion. He ordered his army to immediately prepare for war. In no time he defeated all the nearby kingdoms. Now no kingdom was left for him to conquer. Yet, he remained as unhappy as ever. To make himself happy he began organizing hunting trips where he hunted down the most fearsome of the beasts. He fought and killed tigers and lions. People looked at him awe and respect and admired him for his strength and courage. Only, he was still not happy.

When nothing could make him happy, his wife suggested he seek advice from Mahatma Buddha. The king along with his family and friends went to the place where the Mahatma was preaching those who went to him. The king touched his feet and told him all that he had done so far to be happy but all in vain. All that he heard amused Mahatma Buddha. He thought for a while and then replied. "My child, go and find a person who believes that he is happy. You will certainly find happiness if you borrow and wear the shoes of such a person. The king could not believe that the solution of his problem would be so simple. He once again touched the feet of the Mahatma and returned to his palace.

His friends and courtiers began searching for a person who declared himself to be happy. They talked to all - the rich, the wise, and the successful. Yet, not one of them believed he was happy. The king was disheartened beyond words to hear about their failure. Then he decided to make the search himself. After much time had passed, when he had given up the hope of finding a happy man, one day he heard the sound of someone singing blissfully. He immediately searched for that person, who happened to be a poor labourer. The king approached him and inquired, "Do you consider yourself a happy man?" "Not just happy, your highness" the labourer replied, "I think I am the happinest man on earth". "Oh, in that case, will you kindly lend me your shoes?", the king requested.

The labourer was now thoroughly embarrassed. With folded hands, he humbly submitted, "I am sorry your honour, but I am not in a position to fulfill even your simple request. I have no shoes, Sir! In fact I have never owned one!" It was then the truth dawned upon the king, "What a fool I have been", he cried out aloud. Happiness flows inside me and like a stupid person I have been desperately searching for it outside. He thanked the poor labourer and returned to his palace and lived happy thereafter (Jha and Avasthe, 1999:6-9).