Half a Penny, Half a Kingdom – A Tale of Desire
This is the story of a man who had just half a penny.
Destiny—without a single effort from him—gave him half a kingdom.
But the cravings of the mind can never be fulfilled.
Desire pulled him deeper…
To the point where he nearly killed the noble friend who made him king.
Thankfully, he woke up before the darkness consumed him.
He renounced desire, gave up the throne,
and walked away into the Himalayas—
to purify his heart and put his cravings to rest.
The Peaceful Reign of King Udaya
Long ago, in the ancient city of Benares, ruled a noble king named Udaya.
He was no ordinary monarch—he was the Bodhisattva, destined to become the Buddha.
After his father passed away, Udaya ascended the throne and ruled with wisdom and compassion.
One day, the entire city prepared for a grand festival.
Music filled the air. Streets overflowed with joy.
A Poor Man with a Dream
Outside the northern gate of the city lived a poor water-carrier.
Strong like an elephant, he lived with his equally poor wife.
She said:
“There’s a festival in the city. If you have anything, let’s enjoy it.”
He replied:
“I have a half-penny—hidden in a brick by the northern gate.”
She laughed:
“I have a half-penny too! That makes one full penny. Let’s buy garlands, perfume, and a little drink. Go fetch yours.”
Joyfully, the man set off barefoot through the scorching sun.
He wore faded yellow clothes, a palm leaf tucked behind his ear—yet he sang with joy.
A King's Curiosity
King Udaya watched him from the palace window.
“Who walks through such heat with a smile?” he wondered.
He sent his guards to bring the man in.
When questioned, the man answered:
“It’s not the sun that burns me—it’s desire.
Not the heat I feel—but the fire of hope.
My wife and I dream of joy—and I walk to bring it home.”
The king asked,
“Is your treasure gold? Jewels?”
The man said,
“No, O King. Just a half-penny I buried long ago.”
An Unusual Offer
The king offered him one coin.
The man replied:
“I’ll take your gift… but I must get my own too.”
Then two. Then ten. Then riches beyond measure.
Each time, the man said the same thing:
“I accept your gift—but I must get my own too.”
Finally, King Udaya offered him half the kingdom.
And only then… the man agreed.
He was bathed, dressed in royal robes, and given rule over the northern half of the realm—where his half-penny still lay hidden.
The people began calling him “King Half-Penny.”
A Dangerous Thought
The two kings ruled in harmony.
One day, they went to the royal park.
After a joyful morning, King Udaya rested under a tree,
his head in King Half-Penny’s lap.
As he slept, a dark thought crept into Half-Penny’s mind:
“Why rule only half a kingdom…
when I could rule it all?”
He reached for his sword…
Then stopped.
He remembered the kindness.
The trust.
The honor.
But the thought returned.
Three times, he nearly became a murderer.
Three times, he stopped himself.
Shaken, he threw the sword away and woke the sleeping king.
A Confession and a Realization
Falling at Udaya’s feet, he said:
“Forgive me. I was consumed by desire.
I nearly betrayed the one who gave me everything.”
Udaya replied:
“If you wish, take the whole kingdom. I’ll serve under you.”
But Half-Penny said:
“No, O King. I now see where desire begins—and where it ends.”
He turned to the people and declared:
“There is no enemy greater than desire.
It can turn good men into murderers.
It breeds discontent. It whispers lies.
It must be defeated. There is no peace in compromise.”
Renunciation
With great calm, King Half-Penny gave up the throne.
He left behind the palace, the crown, the power…
And walked into the Himalayas—
to purify his heart and seek truth beyond all craving.
The Moral
Desire ends not when it is fulfilled—
but when it is understood.
The wise say:
“To conquer the world is easy.
But to conquer desire…
That is true mastery.”