"No other doors, no other windows, no way of entering into the palace except from one small door where he had placed a complete row of guards. Guard number one was to be guarded by number two, and guard number two was guarded by number three, and guard number three was guarded by number four…seven guards watching each other! More protection is not possible.

"A neighboring king heard about it, and he wanted to see this most secure palace. He was welcomed. The owner of the palace took him in, showed him all the facilities inside, that there was no way for any enemy, for any thief, for any killer to enter.

"The king was very much impressed. He said, 'I will immediately order the same. Just give me the names of the architects, to make the same palace for me in my kingdom.'

"Talking with each other, they came out to where the chariot of the king was waiting. And when he said, 'I'm going to make exactly the same palace. I loved it, the very idea. It is so safe and secure…' a beggar by the side of the road started laughing madly.

"Both were stunned. For a moment there was silence.

"They both asked the beggar, 'Why are you laughing?'

"He said, 'I'm laughing because there is a loophole in all this, and I know the loophole. I have been sitting in this place for years, begging, so I have been watching the building of the palace.'

"The emperor asked, 'What is the loophole?'

"He said, 'That one door!'

"The emperor laughed. He said, 'I have placed seven guards on it. They are guarding on each other, nobody can betray. What is the fear?'

"The beggar said, 'With due respect, I want to tell you that death will enter and your guards will not be able to see it. And death is the only insecurity. What else? Do you have any protection against death?'

"The emperor was at a loss.

"The beggar said, 'My suggestion is that if you want really to be secure, tell your builders to raise a wall in place of that door! I still cannot guarantee that death will not enter – but at least you have made as much effort as possible; close the door and be inside.'

"The emperor said, 'But that means I'm already dead! It becomes a grave, not a palace, if I cannot come out.'

"The beggar said, 'If you think just by closing one door your life will be finished, don't you think that by closing other doors, parts of your life are finished? By closing the windows, other parts of your life are finished? You are going to live at the minimum, while the maximum was available.'

"Both the kings were surprised to see the intelligence of the beggar."