This is an old story from the gigantic collection of tales known as the Brihatakathasarithasagara. It has traveled all across Asia and appears in many variations, but its origins are primarily rooted in Indian ideas about predestination and the apparent injustices and vagaries of fortune.

Two cousins born on the same day were inseparable as children. They went to the same ashram and received the same education. They were similar in all respects, though perhaps one of them was slightly quicker on the uptake than the other. The second cousin also began to disdain book learning feeling that one must be 'practical' and learn from experience, which would teach you all that you needed to learn. When they became men they set off to the neighboring kingdom to seek their fortune. The clever one quickly ascended the greasy pole until he became on of the kings advisers. The other cousin could manage no better job than first boatman on the royal barge. One day the king set off on a long down river journey, surrounded by his advisers and harem. It was hard work rowing so many people on the barge and the boatman's sense of grievance boiled over. He began to mutter to himself, unaware that the king was paying a very attentive ear.

"Why should my cousin loll around on a cushion and be fanned by servants why I have to bend my back and exert my muscles? These advisers are all flatterers. They do not do any serious work that I can see. All they do is tell the king pleasant things while honest hard working men like myself, have to toil and slave to keep them comfortable. What is this so called advice they render? I bet I can give as good advice any day and do an honest days work to boot. Life is completely unfair. That lazy lout is lucky to get himself such a cushy post while I have to labor here. I am as good as he is any day of the week. Nobody gives me a chance to prove my worth while his honeyed tongue gets all doors open." And so on and so forth.

That night, the king suddenly woke up the rower in the middle of his sleep.
"There is a strange noise coming from the hillock near the bank. Go and find out what is causing it."
Grumbling at this interruption of his well-deserved sleep he got off an investigated. On his return he reported to the king that it was nothing much.
"A cat has just delivered a litter of noisy kittens, your Highness. They are making the strange noise."
"Indeed? What sort of kittens are they?'
Off went the boatman to find out. He had to clamber up the hillock yet again and then make the return trip.
"They are a rare form of Siamese cat"
"Wonderful. How many are there?"
"I really did not notice but I could go and find out if you so desire."
Off he went again, grumbling at this waste of time because of royal whims and he with a full days rowing to do when dawn broke!
"Six."
"Ah, good. How many kittens were male?"
By now the boatman was convinced the king was maliciously torturing him but he had no option but to follow orders.
"Three males and three females in the litter Sire."
"Well, well, let see what else we can find out." The king moved to the boatman's cousin, shook him awake and told him to investigate what the strange noise is all about.
The adviser clambers over the side and ran up the hillock. He was back in a trice.
"A cat has given birth to a bunch of kittens, Your Majesty"
"What sort of kittens?'
"Siamese."
"How many in the litter?
"Six."
"How many males and how many females?"
"Three males and three females. The mother cat birthed them in an abandoned water pot. The cat belongs to the headman of the village. He says he would be only too pleased to offer them as pets if you are so inclined an he also apologizes if they have disturbed your sleep."
The king turned to his Rower. "He goes out just once and comes back with all that needs to be known. You went out four times and still did not find out everything. His ability, not his destiny, makes him my adviser while you continue to grumble - and row the boat."

- Rohit Arya

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