short story 1017




THE PROUD EXHIBITION

There was a certain King who was quite fond of exhibiting his wealth.
Once he bought a precious diamond and invited the neighbouring kings and nobles to see the diamond. It was evening when the distinguished guests gathered in the durbar hall. The diamond, kept on a small plate of gold, lay on a table. Everybody admired it.
Suddenly, the minister found that the diamond was missing. Obviously, one of the guests had picked it up while the others were talking.
After a moment’s stunning silence, the minister said, “O Noble guests! It would be embarrassing to search all of you. We shall remove all lamps for two minutes. Whoever has taken the diamond may keep it back on the gold plate.”
The lamps were removed and it was all dark. After two minutes, when the lamps were brought back, it was found that the gold plate too had gone!.