One time the King went out with some of his troops and went hunting. He travelled a long ways in search of game. As the day winded down, he came across a very hospitable hermitage. He asked the saint there if he could provide hospitality to him and his troops. The guru replied "I am very blessed to have the protector of our country visit our ashram. I am very happy to host you." The guru then provided him with water to wash his hands and feet, and his disciples prepared a delicious meal for the king and his companions. The King was very gratified. He stayed sometime while the saint told stories from the puranas. He took his leave from the saint, asking him "Is there anything I can do for you?". "Yes" said the saint. "I want you to deliver this message to everyone in your kingdom." The saint handed the king a scroll with the message, which the King put in his waistband and then took his leave.

While the King had been out hunting, one of his servants had been arranging the royal bedroom. He starting making the bed. All of a sudden, a great tiredness came over him. He thought to himself "I will just lay down on the bed for a few moments - no one will know, and I will feel refreshed afterwards." He immediately fell asleep.

That night, knowing that the King was gone hunting, the Queen worked very late. When she finally came to bed, it was completely dark in the room. She saw what she thought was the King lying in the bed. She lay down in the bed and fell asleep. Meanwhile, it took a long time for the King to return to the palace. He arrived in the very early morning, just when it was getting light. He walked into the chamber, and found his queen lying in the bed with one of the servants! This infuriated the King. He drew his sword, as he decided to kill both of them then and there, even while they slept.

When the King drew his sword, the message from the saint popped out onto the floor. The King reached to grab it, and when he did so, the scroll unfurled itself. In the dim light, he read the words "Haste makes mistakes. Do not be in a hurry." The King decided that maybe killing the Queen and servant without waking them first was a hasty decision. He made his presence known. The queen woke up and saw the King. Then she saw the man sleeping next to her. She said "You are not the King, who are you!?!. The servant awoke, with an angry Queen and King staring at him. When the servant saw the King there, with sword drawn, his eyes got very big! He fell to the floor, crawling to the feet of the King and begging forgiveness, saying the King should punish him in any way he sat fit. He said he fell asleep on the soft comfortable bed. The Queen was crying! "When I came to bed, it was very late, and very dark, and I assumed the man sleeping in the bed was you!" she said.

The King reassured her that all was alright, and was thankful for the timely words of the saint. If he had made a hasty decision, he would have done a great injustice to his servant and queen.

Sudden anger is one of our worst enemies. A forest may take 100 years to grow, but a blazing fire can destroy it in a few minutes. In the same way, a fit of anger can destroy friendships and relationships of many years in just a few moments. Avoid anger at all costs, as well as hasty decisions based on anger.