A long time ago there lived a noble king who was greatly troubled, so he decided to seek advice from the wise man by the lake. When all was said the King asked the wise man “What should I do?” And the Sage just pointed to the king’s reflection upon the lake. The water was crystal clear and he could see how regal a king he looked in his reflection, and he knew that he must be strong and noble for the people of his kingdom.

Soon after his visit to the Sage, the king’s servant brought before him a man who had been caught stealing the king’s deer. As the king listened to the man’s story of extreme poverty and family hardship, he saw the ‘reflection of himself upon the water’, and instead gave the man the job of protecting the deer. After the man had left, the king’s servant asked him why he had spared the man’s life, and the king replied “I am the reflection upon the water” and the servant said “Sire, I do not understand for I am just a mere servant, and you are indeed a noble and wise king.”

Time passed and even the king’s enemy’s fell upon hard times and now before the king was such an enemy who was pleading protection for his family from a tyrant king. The king was angry to see his enemy, and just before he was going to send him away the King saw his ‘reflection upon the water’, and the king ordered that the man’s family be brought to his kingdom whereupon the man would be given the job of protecting his palace. After the enemy had left the servant asked the king why he had treated him like a friend, and the king replied “I am the reflection upon the water” and the servant said “Sire, I do not understand for I am just a mere servant, and you are indeed a noble and wise king.”

One day the king’s advisors brought before him two men; one was very wealthy and influential, and the other was a poor farmer. Now the king had to make an important decision because his kingdom needed to produce more food, and on the recommendation of his advisors the king was going to bestow favour upon the wealthy man. Once again the King saw his ‘reflection upon the water’, and favour was bestowed to the poor farmer instead. Later the servant enquired of the king why he had given the major task of producing more food to a poor farmer. “I am the reflection upon the water” and the servant said “Sire, I do not understand for I am just a mere servant, and you are indeed a noble and wise king.”

The land prospered and the people got fatter, and then one day the king was fatally injured while protecting his loyal and trusted servant. The servant was so upset that his noble and wise king should give up his life for an unworthy servant, such as him. The king said but I am not noble and wise, I am just a man with responsibilities. “I am; the reflection upon the water.”

They buried the king by the lake and people came from far and wide to pay homage to a noble and wise king. Soon only the servant and the wise man remained by the lake, and the Sage said “Do not grieve for your king, for he is just but a reflection upon the water now.” The servant said “Now I understand, for when the king spared the life of the thief he gave life, as water gives life to all that exists upon the earth. As there are many depths to water, which can hide many priceless and precious wonders, the king saw within the heart of his enemy many hidden depths he did realise existed there. And as the water is crystal clear all that lies on the bottom can be seen for what it truly is, my king saw the truth and sincerity in the soul of the poor farmer.

My reflection upon the water is of a servant, but it is only superficial, for the reflection is just an image of who and what I am. For my true essence lies beyond the reflection of the water; and I must search deep within the waters depths to discover who and what, I really am.

The wise man chuckled and said “You are indeed a noble and wise servant.”