The Tale of the Captive King and His Unlikely Escape

This captivating story narrates the journey of a king who, despite being imprisoned in a towering minaret, remains cheerful and hopeful. With the help of his wife and a clever sage, he devises an ingenious plan involving a beetle and a silk thread to secure his escape. This tale not only highlights the power of hope and ingenuity but also serves as a reminder that freedom can often be found in the most unexpected ways. Read on to explore this inspiring narrative of resilience and cleverness.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 27, 2026, 19:44 IST

A King's Unusual Imprisonment

Once upon a time, there was a king who fell into a rage with his minister and imprisoned him atop a towering minaret. This punishment was akin to a torturous death sentence, as there was no way for anyone to deliver food, nor could the minister escape by jumping from such a height. Surprisingly, as he was taken to the minaret, he appeared neither worried nor distressed; instead, he maintained his usual cheerful demeanor. His wife, tearful at their parting, asked him, 'Why are you so happy?'

He replied, 'If only a thin silk thread could reach me, I would be free. Is that too much to ask of you?'

His wife pondered this, but could not conceive a way to send a silk thread to such a lofty place. In her desperation, she consulted a sage. The sage advised her to capture a beetle named Bhṛṅga, tie a silk thread to its leg, and place a drop of honey on its antennae to lure it upwards.

That very night, the plan was executed. The beetle, attracted by the scent of honey, began its ascent, eventually reaching the captive. The thin silk thread became his lifeline. From there, a thicker thread was sent up, followed by a rope, and finally a sturdy cord. With this makeshift lifeline, he managed to escape his confinement.

Just as a ray of light is sufficient to reach the sun, so too is the potential for freedom present for all, waiting to be grasped.