#(Buddha) 32 Expecting Rewards Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

One day, a disciple said,
“Expecting a reward,
For a good work done,
Is not wrong, in my opinion.”

Buddha narrated a story:

“A reward is not a reward,
When the same is expected.
When it comes unexpected
Then, take it as a reward.”

A King was seriously ill.
Doctors treated him well
But he didn’t recover still
As if it was an evil spell.

Messengers went round,
And they luckily found,
A Doctor from a village
Who came at the last stage.

He gave the King a potion,
That did wonderful action.
In two days, he improved
And slowly he recovered.

The doctor told the King
“Now that you’re improving
Let me go back home
As I’m here for a long time.”

The King said, “Wait here
Until I feel myself better.”
He didn’t allow the doctor
On some plea or the other.

At last, he came back
And to his good luck,
A mansion stood in the place
Of his dilapidated house.

His wife and children,
In silken dress, were seen.
They wore the best of jewels.
And received him with cheers.

People around gathered.
Praises, they showered
On the doctor for his skill
That cured the King well.

The doctor was spellbound.
To say, no words he found.
He brought home nothing.
But the King did everything.