While out hunting, a king came across a lush green area in the forest that he liked. He commanded, “Build a palace here for me.”

The minister hesitated and said, “Your Majesty! There are dense trees here. Streams flow nearby. The trees will have to be cut down. The streams will have to be redirected.”

The king, enchanted by the beautiful scenery, said, “The palace will be built right here.”

The trees were cut down, the streams were redirected, and an extravagant palace was constructed in no time.

The king happily moved into the palace, but within a day or two, he was overcome by sadness and restlessness. One evening, the king climbed to the roof of his palace to see the natural scenery that once existed. There was no trace of greenery around the palace. He was astonished. The swaying trees… the laughing flowers and leaves… the chirping birds… the pristine flowing streams were all gone.

All around, there was the same desolation and emptiness that he felt within. The same restlessness and the same sadness that he experienced inside.

That night, the king barely slept and dreamed of a sage making nests for birds, watering the trees, and tending to the wounds of animals.

The next day, the king vacated the palace with his retinue and returned to the capital, never to return to the palace again.

Over time, the shrubs, bushes, and trees grew back. It took time, but eventually, the palace was abandoned. As the trees grew denser, the jungle regained its charm, and the birds once again made their homes on the trees.

However, it took generations of birds to witness the streams flowing again.