Long ago a potter lived in a town. One day, he got drunk and fell down by stumbling on some broken pots. The sharp edge of a pot cut a deep wound on his forehead. Because he did not take proper care of the wound, it took a long time to heal. When it healed, it left a scar on his forehead.
After a few years, there was a famine in the country. With some royal servants, the potter went to another part of the country. The king saw the scar on the potter’s forehead. He thought the potter was a courageous man. He also thought the potter amongst the bravest princes of his kingdom.
One day a neighbouring king attacked this king. The king took the potter and said, “Prince, please tell me your name and in which battle did you get this wound.”
“Your majesty! I am not a prince but a potter. This wound was caused when I fell over some broken pots,” replied the potter. On hearing this, the king got very annoyed and told his soldiers to drive him away.
As the soldiers were about to drive the potter away, he screamed, “Please wait. Let me fight with the king who is attacking our country.”
The king said, “No doubt you have some excellent qualities, but since none in your family has ever fought a war, it is better you go back to your village.”