GOPAL GOES TO THE HEAVENLY PLANETS

Some of King Krsnacandra's ministers wanted to get rid of Gopal Ban, as he was

too cunning. So they devised one plan. They employed the local barber, as the

barber's shop was a place of gossip. He was the king's personal barber, and when

the king came to the barber, the barber asked him, "So king, how are your

relatives faring in the heavenly planets?"

"Well I don't know," the king replied.

"You should send someone up to the heavenly planets to find out," the barber

suggested. "What a good idea!" the king said.

"But," the barber continued, "It should be someone very confidential and close

to you. Like your Gopal, for instance."

"Yes, what a brilliant idea! Gopal should go to the heavenly planets and find

out how my relatives are faring."

So the method prescribed for going to the heavenly planets was that Gopal be

burned in a fire. When they asked him if he would do it, he was very

enthusiastic.

"Yes, of course I will do it." So the ministers were very pleased.

But Gopal was very cunning, and he made a trapdoor opening into a tunnel from

the stake where he was to be burnt, all the way to his house. When they

performed the ceremony, Gopal escaped through the trapdoor and crawled through

the tunnel to his house. And he stayed there.

The king was wondering, "When will Gopal return?" One month, two months, three

months passed. Finally after six months, Gopal one day walked into the king's

courtroom. The ministers' jaws dropped.

"Gopal, you're back!" the king said joyfully. "How was everyone in heaven?"

"They are all very well, Maharaja," Gopal said, "except for one small thing."

"Oh? What is that?" the king asked concernedly.

"They need a barber there in heaven," Gopal replied. "There is no barber. Your

father especially is feeling very uncomfortable with so much hair. So send one

barber, but it must be someone close to you, like your personal barber."

MORAL: If someone is cunning we must be more cunning.

Krishna Katha