The story revolves around a king who, while walking in a forest, becomes thirsty and seeks water from a blind sage living in a hut. Initially, the king's servant and then a minister attempt to request water but are brusquely refused. When the king approaches the sage, he receives a warm welcome and is offered water. The sage explains that he recognized the king by the respectful and courteous nature of his speech, highlighting that the essence of one’s character and position is reflected in how they communicate. The moral emphasizes the importance of respectful and gracious communication, particularly for those in positions of authority.

एक ठो राजा हलै । से अपन मंत्री आउ नोकर के साथे ले के सैर करे गेलै । घुमते-घुमते ऊ सब एक जंगल में पहुँचलै। हुआं रजवा के बहुत जोर से पिआस लगलै । ऊ अपन नोकरवा से कहलकै कि पानी ला दे। वहैं पर एक ठो कुटिया हलै । ऊ कुटिया में एक ठो आन्हर साधु जी रहऽ हलै । नौकरवा ऊ कुटिया के सामने जा करके कहलकै ''अरे अन्हरा, तोरा पानी हो तऽ दे हमरा !'' तऽ सधुआ कहलकै कि ''हम नीच नौकर के पानी ना देवो !'' नौकरवा उहाँ से लौटलै आउ कहलकै रजवा से कि ''अन्हरा बड़ी खच्चड़ हौ, से पनिया नञ दे हौ !''

रजवा मंत्रिया से पानी ले आवै ले कहलकै। मंत्रियो अन्हरा के पास गेलै आउ सधुआ से कहलकै ''ए अन्धरा भैया, थोड़े सान पानी लाहीं तो?'’ तब सधुआ मंत्री से कहलकै ''तू मंत्री हऽ सेकरा से की? हम पनिया नञ देवो !'' मंत्री भी खाली हाथ लौट गेलै। तब तेसर दफे रजवा खुद्दे वहाँ पहुँचलै आउ सधुआ से कहलकै - ए महात्मा जी, हमरा बहुत जोर से पियास लगल हे । कृपा करके थोड़ा सिन पानी दऽ।'' सधुआ कहलकै - ''राजा जी, बैठ जाऽ, हम अभी तुरते पानी लावऽ हियो।'’ रजवा कहलकै - ''हम पनिया पीछे पीवो। पहिले किरपा करके ई बताहो तो कि तोहरा तो जना हको हइए नए तऽ, तूं कइसे जान गेलो कि हम राजा हीय। आउ हमरा से पहिले अयलै से मंत्री हलै ।''

उ साधु जबाव देलकै कि ''हम बोलिया से पहचानऽ हियो !'’ 'अरे’, कहेवाला नोकर होवऽ हे, आउ मंत्री के बोली नोकरे नियन होवऽ हे । राजा के बोली में आदर-भाव, सत्कार भरल रहऽ हे। से तूं राजा बने के लायक हका। जे जेतना ऊँचा पद पर रहऽ हकै, ओतने ओकर बोली में मिठास आउ नेवतई रहऽ हकै!'’

See translation

There was a king. He went out for a walk with his ministers and servants. While wandering, they reached a forest. There, the king felt extremely thirsty. He told his servant to bring some water. Nearby, there was a hut where a blind sage lived. The servant went in front of the hut and said, “Hey, blind man, if you have any water, give it to us!” The sage replied, “I will not give water to a lowly servant!” The servant returned and told the king, “The blind man is very stubborn; he won't give any water!”

The king instructed the minister to get water. The minister went to the blind man and said, “Oh blind brother, could you please give us a little water?” The sage replied, “What is it to you that you are a minister? I will not give water!” The minister returned empty-handed as well. Then, for the third time, the king himself went there and said to the sage, “Oh great sage, I am very thirsty. Please kindly give me a little water.” The sage replied, “O king, sit down; I will bring water for you right away.” The king said, “I will drink the water later. First, kindly tell me, how did you know that I am a king? The minister came before me, and you did not give him any.”

The sage responded, “I recognize you by your speech! A servant speaks in a manner typical to servants, and a minister’s speech is like that of a servant. But the king’s speech is filled with respect and warmth. That's why you are fit to be a king. The higher the position one holds, the sweeter and more courteous their speech will be!”