Mindset story: The cycle of karma "What goes around comes around"

There was once a king who was so cruel and unjust that his subjects yearned for his death or dethronement. Ever since the new king sat on the thrown his people were out for worse. The king took what he felt was his, he treated others as he felt, and most of the time they were harshly mistreated. It was a dark time for the kingdom as there was no justice for the ordinary person. However, one day the king surprised everyone by announcing that he had decided to turn over a new leaf. “No more cruelty, no more injustice, I will make sure that everyone is responsible for their actions. Everyone should know that what goes around comes around,” the king promised, and he kept his word. He became known as the ‘Gentle and just King’.

Months after the king’s transformation one of his ministers plucked up enough courage to ask him what had brought about his change of heart. And the king answered, “One day as I was galloping through my forests I caught sight of a fox being chased by a hound. The fox escaped into his hole but not before the hound had bitten into its leg and maimed it for life. Later I rode into a village and saw the same hound there. But now the dog was barking at a man. I kept watching what would happen and then the man picked up a huge stone and flung it at the dog, breaking its leg. After that, the man started walking and I followed him. He had not gone far when he was kicked by a horse in a strange accident. His knee was shattered and he fell to the ground, probably disabled for life. The horse then began to run but it fell into a hole and broke its leg. Reflecting on all that had happened, I thought that what goes around comes around. And then I realized that if I continue in my evil ways, I will surely be overtaken by evil’. So I decided to change.”

When the king finished his story the minister couldn’t believe his ears. He thought to himself “How stupid can the king be to believe in a superstition such as “what goes around comes around.”  But convinced the king became weak and that the time was right to overthrow him and seize the throne for himself he played his game and agreed with the king. The minister said his goodbyes to the king and went on his way plotting his plan to overthrow the king. While walking towards his chambers he started making a list of who will help him get rid of the king and take control of the kingdom. He could already picture how life will be under his rule once the king is taken care of. He was so immersed in his thoughts, he did not see the steps in front of him and fell, breaking his neck.