He wanted fish in every meal and if not, he used to get angry. However quite unexpectedly there came a big drought and all the lakes and ponds went dry.
Hence there was a big scarcity of fish. Despite this situation still the king insisted that he should have fish in his diet. So a messenger was sent round to inform the public that if anyone could bring fish to the palace he would be rewarded.
On hearing the news an old farmer who had some dried fish in his larder thought of taking it to the king and getting the reward. He put the fish in a bag and went to the palace. There at the entrance, he was questioned by the palace guard and when he heard that the old man had brought some fish, he thought of a cunning plan. He refused to let the man go upto the king. Although the man argued with the guard it was of no use.
Finally the guard agreed to let the man enter the palace on condition he gave half the reward to the guard. The old man was more cunning than the guard. He agreed to his condition with a fine plan in his mind.
When the old man produced the fish, the king was extremely happy and wanted to know what the old man would prefer as a reward. The old man at once said "Oh ! might king, please give me a thousand lashes." The king was so surprised at this request and inquired from him as to why he made such a strange request. But the man insisted that he should be given thousand lashes.
