THE SMILING STONE!

"Chachu, Shall I tell you a story?"

"Go ahead, Beta.. Love to hear that!"

"Once a King showed a stone to his Minister and said,

'Make this stone smile!'

The Minister said, "Sir! I can't do that!"

The King became angry and put the Minister in jail..

The Minister's son came to the King and said,

'Sir! I can make the stone smile. Free my dad!'

The King agreed and freed the Minister. The Minister went home..

'Now, make this stone smile!'

The King ordered..

"Sir! For that..

• First, I smile at stone,
• Next, I give many gifts to stone,
• Next, I praise the stone,
• Next, I request the stone to sing and
• Then I make the stone smile!'

Said the boy..

'Ok.. Start!'

Said the amused King..

• 'Smiling at stone goes for 10 minutes,
• Giving many gifts to stone goes for 10 hrs,
• Praising the stone goes for 10 weeks,
• Requesting the stone to sing goes for 10 months,
• Then it takes 10 years for the stone to smile..

I am starting!'

Said the boy..

The King could not control his laughter. He became happy with the boy, gave him a gift and sent him home. 

You know, why?"

"Why Beta?"

"The King was 55 yrs old.. By the time the boy finishes the job, he will be retiring!"

"Oh! You know so much, dear! Good story, Beta.. Love it!"

"Thank you Chachu.. I am happy you liked it!"

Keywords: SMILING, STONE