A sage was passing through the capital city of a famous king. While he was walking, he noticed a single currency coin on the road. He picked it up. He was satisfied with his simple living and he had no use of that coin. So, he planned to donate it to the one who is in need. He strolled around the streets throughout the day but didn’t find anyone such.
Finally, he reached the rest area and spent a night there.
The next morning, he woke up for his daily activities and saw that a king was going for his invasion of another state with his war ready army. When the king saw the sage standing, he ordered his army to be stopped. He came to the sage and said, 「Oh wise sage, I am going to war to win another state so that my state can be expanded. So bless me to be victorious.」
After thinking, the sage gave the single currency coin to the king! The king was confused and annoyed with this because what use had he for a single coin when he is already one of the richest kings! He curiously asked the sage, 「What’s the meaning of this one coin?」
The sage explained, 「Oh great king! I found this coin yesterday while strolling around the streets of your capital city. But I had no use of it. So, I had decided that I will donate it to someone needy. I strolled around till the evening in your capital, but found no one such. Everyone was living a happy life. It seemed that they were satisfied with what they had. So I found no one to give this coin. But today, the king of this state, still has the desire to gain more and is not happy with what all that he already has, so I felt you were the most in need.」
The king realized his mistake and gave up the war he had planned.