Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Ujjain, nestled amidst beautiful hills and serene landscapes, there lived a wise and just ruler named King Vikramaditya. With his sharp intellect, kind heart, and unwavering commitment to justice, he was not just a powerful king, but also a respected scholar and patron of learning. King Vikramaditya possessed a unique quality that made him stand out among all other rulers – his love for problem-solving. Every day, he would gather the brightest minds from all corners of his kingdom and challenge them with intricate puzzles, riddles, and enigmatic problems. He believed that solving problems not only sharpened the mind but also built character and cultivated patience.
One day, as the sun began to set and a gentle breeze swept through the palace gardens, King Vikramaditya, surrounded by his advisors, called upon his court mathematician, Betaal. Betaal was renowned for his mathematical genius and quick thinking. The king said to him, "Betaal, I have a problem for you tonight that will truly test your ability to think on your feet!" Betaal, with a twinkle in his eyes, nodded and waited for the king to divulge the problem.
The king continued, "In a secluded temple hidden deep inside a dense forest, there are two doors. Behind one door lies a pile of gold and wealth beyond imagination, and behind the other door is a venomous serpent waiting to strike anyone who enters. You must choose the correct door and lead us to the treasure, but you only get one chance. Now, Betaal, tell me, which door will you choose, and why?" Betaal paused for a moment, considering the dilemma. Then he smiled and responded, "Your Majesty, the solution lies not in choosing either door immediately but in gathering more information. If we analyze carefully, you mentioned that the temple is in a secluded area. Therefore, any pile of wealth left untouched for long would likely accumulate dust, spider webs, and signs of neglect. On the other hand, if a serpent resides behind one door, it might leave behind marks like sloughed skin or the scent of its venom. So, I propose that we examine both doors first, closely observing any evidence that might give us a clue as to what lies behind."
King Vikramaditya marveled at Betaal's insightful answer. The king and his courtiers followed Betaal's suggestion and inspected the two doors meticulously. After careful examination, they noticed that one door indeed had traces of dust and spider webs, while the other had signs of a serpent's presence. "Ah! It seems we have found our answer!" exclaimed King Vikramaditya. "The door with the dust and spider webs most likely leads to the treasure, while the other door conceals the dangerous serpent."
Feeling accomplished, the wise king and his loyal mathematician pushed open the dusty door and discovered a magnificent pile of gold, jewels, and treasures beyond their imagination. The king, overwhelmed with gratitude, rewarded Betaal's remarkable problem-solving skills and appointed him as his royal mathematician and advisor. From that day forward, Betaal and King Vikramaditya would face numerous intellectual challenges together, solving intricate problems and riddles that not only enriched their minds but also brought prosperity and justice to the kingdom of Ujjain.
And so, dear reader, the legend of King Vikramaditya and Betaal teaches us to approach problems with an open mind, gather information, think critically, and persevere until we find the most suitable solution. Just like the brilliant ruler and his mathematician, may you too embrace the joy of problem-solving and always strive for knowledge, wisdom, and justice in everything you do.
Reflection Questions