Stories For Kids| The King's Last Joke

 A King's Last Joke  

Once there lived a king by the name Yasalalaka Thissa in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. He had a gate-keeper whose name was Subha. The king and his gate-keeper were alike in appearance. 


King Yasalalaka Thissa was very fond of playing practical jokes on others. One morning, the king called Subha to his chamber before the courtiers came. The king told Subha, " Let's exchange our clothes. You wear my royal clothes and sit on the throne. I'll stand at the gate in your uniform." Subha could not refuse the king's suggestion. 

The king and the gate-keeper quickly exchanged their clothes before the courtiers came to report for duty. After exchanging the clothes, the king went to the gate for his duty while Subha went to council room and sat on the throne. 

The courtiers started coming in ones and twos. Just before they took their seats, they walked up to the king and paid him due respect as usual. Subha sat proudly on the throne. 

However, Yasalalaka Thissa could not stand quietly while all his courtiers knelt down before Subha, the fake king. He burst into a loud laughter. Everybody, looked at him angrily. He wanted to tell the truth to everyone and have more fun. 

Before the poor king opened his mouth to speak , Subha ordered the palace guards to take him away and put him to death for bringing discredit to the king. The guards , as ordered ,quickly took him away and executed him. 

That was King Yaslalaka Thissa's last joke.

[ You should never have fun with your responsibilities. The foolish king had to pay his foolishness with life. ]

Sajendra Kumara    



Location: Attanagalla, Sri Lanka

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