Gopal Gets a New Roof

Our story happened many years ago in India.

It tells about Gopal, who was the jester in the court of the great Maharaja – the king of India.

In those days the king had his own court poets, artists, singers, and many ministers to advise him on different matters.

Every king also had a court jester. The jester was a very important person. He made people laugh and feel happy.

Gopal was usually happy.

He lived in a small mud house.

Every morning, he went to work in the palace, and came home late every night.

But when our story begins, Gopal is worried:

“The rain season will start soon, and there are many holes in my straw roof.”

Gopal had a clever plan.

One morning, he came to work late. The next day he came late again. He came to work late every day, for a week.

Finally, the Maharaja got angry and shouted at Gopal.

“Oh Maharajah” Gopal explained, “I am not rich, I’m poor. My house is made of mud and the roof is made of straw. The roof has many holes.

Every night I go home and fix the holes. I don’t sleep and I am very tired. I can’t make you laugh when I’m tired. So I sleep in the mornings and come late to the palace. What can I do?”

The Maharajah thought about this problem.

And thought.

And thought.

But Maharajahs were not as clever as jesters.

So, finally, Gopal said, “Maybe I should come to live in the palace with my family!”

The Maharajah thought again.

“You and your family? Here in the palace? You can’t come to live with me, but I can give you money to build a good house with a strong roof!”

Gopal smiled and said, “What a kind and clever Maharajah you are!”