A long, long time ago, when magical things happened more often than they do now, Brahmadatta was king of Benaras. He was healthy and wealthy, but he was not wise. Like many kings he was interested only in hunting. His favorite animal to hunt was deer. As e rode his chariot, he recklessly shot arose everywhere, children, dogs and cows would take to their heels.

The king ride over freshly planted fields and destroy the crop. He would take men from the village to help in the hunt, even at harvest time! When the peasants saw him coming they did not greet him with joy. Instead, they looked at the ground and shook heads mournfully.

One day the people of the villages gathered together. They said, `the king is making things very difficult for us.’

Someone said, `Let’s build a big park with a high wall and a sturdy gate. Then we can round up all the deer in the district and put them inside it. When the king wants to hunt, he can go there without troubling us’.

There were two big herds of deer in Benaras. Their leaders were the most beautiful animals. One was the color of gold, so bright that it hurt to look at him. He was called brighter than the sun. The other, although it seems impossible, was even brighter. So that was what he was called- Brighter Still.

`These two leaders are very wise and will not come near the park,’ said some men.

Some others said, `there are some foolish deer in the herds, they can be trapped. The others will then follow, even their wise bright leaders.’ In the end, all of them agreed that the park was a splendid idea.

The peasants then made a great park with brooks and ponds and thickets, just sort of thing deer liked. They made sure that there was plenty of pasture. Then they tricked some of the deer into the park with promises and pretty gifts. Soon the other deer followed in large numbers. They did not know that they were being trapped. More followed. As the deer ate fresh grass and drank cool water, they said good things about the new forest, and did not listen to the warnings of their leaders.

They could not leave the herds to their fate, Brighter Than the Sun and Brighter Still also came into the park. Then peasants closed the gates and they sent some people to let Brahmadatta know this.

The head of the group was old man with white Hair or Old for short. After the king received them, old stood up and said, `Your Majesty, you are a king and we know that kings hunt. But we have no extra children for your arrows. So we have built a big park with waterfalls, trees and many good things. Two herds of deer live there led by two wise leaders. We offer this park to you with respect. We hope that you will hunt and nowhere else.’

Brahmadatta was shocked a little by Old’s blunt speech. But if he showed his feelings by punishing the group, it might irritate their relatives and crowds of angry people might come to the palace.

So instead he stood straight and sad, `Thank you for the park. You may go now’. So they went, and all the way home they laughed and sang. They swing their arms and told jokes about king.

The next day morning Brahmadatta went to inspect the new park. He found everything very beautiful. As he walked about the park he saw deer peeping out of the bushes. Then he saw a magnificent stage. It looked bright and golden. Brahmadatta thought that this deer was brighter than the Sun. Soon another stag walked into his view. His silver antlers gleamed in the sun and his amber eyes glowed. The fire of his golden body lit up the park. Brahmadatta exclaimed, `this deer is brighter still!’ and nearly fainted. The men around him rushed up to him with some strong tea. After a few minutes he walked back to the gate. Then he made a little speech.

`I am really pleased with the park and shall hunt here often. The two golden deer are not to be harmed. For they are kings, and kings should not be harmed.’

And Brahmadatta went to the park everyday with a large group. Many hundreds of deer were hunted and killed. The deer would panic and run in all directions, with arrows flying around them.

They were unable to flee the park. Some deer ere killed and many were wounded and died later.

Brighter Still approached Brighter Than the Sun and said, `Friend, our herds are being torn apart by pain and despair. Our losses are high and in a few days we shall be destroyed. I have a plan. Let us take turns and die willingly. We shall draw lots everyday and thus decided who is to die.’ Brighter than the sun thought this was air.

The plan was then put to work; Brahmadatta found out and was angry. He could not shoot a deer when it was at feet bowing. It was beneath his dignity. He was a king, not a butcher; nevertheless, the king let his men kill a deer very day.

One day a de from the herd of Brighter than sun approached the leader and said, `Today it is my turn to die. I am pregnant. Please let me miss my turn now. After my child is born, I will offer myself.’

`No,’ said the leader gently. `This system of drawing lots is fair and just. How can you ask another deer to die in your place? So please go and take your turn.’

But the doe did not. She went to Brighter still and asked him. He said, `Very well, I shall take your turn myself.’

When everyone saw the golden deer offering his neck, they were surprised and did not know what to say. Soon Brahmadatta came there, on a chariot, followed by his men.

`King of the deer,’ he said, `what are you doing here? You were granted safety!’

Brahmadatta was silent for some time. Then he said, `king of the deer, you are giving life to someone by taking someone’s death on yourself. When I was a child I had heard about this thing called sacrifice, but I have never seen it before. Listen, I will give you your life and I will give the doe her life as well.’

But Brighter Still did not move. He said, `Your Majesty, what about the other deer in the park, and those in the forests?’

`I give them their lives too!’

`Thank you, your Majesty. What about other –footed creatures?’

`I give them their lives too!’ smiled the king.

`You’re Majesty, what of the birds that fly in the sky and the fish that swam in t e water?’

`I give them their lives, lives!’ laughed the king and began to dance and sing.

`May they eat, may hey drink, many they breathe! Sang the king.

The Great Then being got to his feet. After tossing his head so that his silver antlers sent beams of light in all directions, he was gone. That very day he and all other deer left the park and went home to the forest to live the rest of their lives.

For, justice is brighter than the sun, but mercy is brighter still. And the highest mercy is to sacrifice your own happiness for others.