Who is ill-omened?

Once a king and his companions were going hunting towards the jungle. Sounds of horses’ hoofs were very clearly heard in the dead silence of the morning. Many passers-by would leave the path as they hear the sounds because the king did not like anyone to come in his way when he would go hunting. The vehicles of the king and his companions were passing with great splendour through the city. As soon as the king reached near the city wall, he saw a one-eyed man coming from his opposite direction, walking very carelessly instead of stepping aside. The king cried in fury when he found him coming from the opposite direction: ‘Ah! It is an extremely ill omen. Doesn’t this accursed one-eyed person know that one should step aside when the royal procession [vehicles of the king] is passing, but this ill-omened one-eyed person has proved to be extremely accursed by crossing our path’.

The king turned towards the soldiers and cried angrily: ‘I order you to fasten the one-eyed person to the pillars and he should remain fastened here until we return. On my return I will decide punishment for him.’ The guards immediately carried out the orders and fastened the person to the pillars. The king and his companions hurriedly set out for jungle. Contrary to his fear, the king hunted all day successfully. He hunted the animals and birds as per his wish. He was very happy because that day he did not miss a single target; whatever animal he wanted, he successfully hunted. Counting the animals and birds, the minister said: Wow! Today, you have had a great day in hunting animals and birds. What an eye and what a shot! Similarly, all other companions were busy praising the king.

In the evening, when the king reached near the city, he found the man there fastened with ropes. Along with the vehicles of the king, a two-wheeled cart was also coming loaded with animals and birds. Looking at the cart, the king and his companions were extremely happy. Having seen the two-wheeled cart loaded with animals and birds. That man addressed the king in a loud voice: O king! Now tell me! Who is ill-omened—you or me? Hearing this, the guards of the king pointed swords at the person, but the king stopped them by gesturing with his hand. Not afraid of anything, that person again addressed the king: O the king! Tell me who is ill-omened—me or you?