King Silver Plume was talking to Chakravaka after the war. “Who do you think set fire to our fort and the houses in it?” he asked, “I wonder if it was a spy from the enemy’s camp or one of our own who betrayed us, leaving the fort to be destroyed and plundered?” “I suspect this was done by Meghavarna, the crow, whom you had befriended, Sir,” replied Chakravaka. “There was no reason for him to come to you earlier. Now we can’t see him or his people anywhere.” The King sadly said it was all destiny that caused it. But Chakravaka said firmly, “No, Sir. We blame destiny when things go wrong. But actually, it is our own failure to do the right thing or listen to good advice that causes our trouble. It is like the foolish tortoise who wouldn’t listen to his friends.”
The King Discusses the Defeat
