The Emperor of China had sent some peaches to the King of Tondmandalam with a note stating that the fruit gave long life to anyone who ate them.
As the fruits were being shown to the king, everyone in the palace became excited.
The king carefully read the note.
“These peaches can give long life?” he asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied one of his ministers.
The king looked at the peaches suspiciously.
“How do we know they are safe?”
The ministers remained silent.
Finally, the king called his oldest servant.
“You have served me faithfully for many years,” he said. “Taste one of these peaches.”
The servant looked terrified.
“Your Majesty, if they truly give long life, perhaps you should eat them first.”
The king frowned.
“You mean you don’t trust the Emperor of China?”
The servant quickly replied, “Of course I trust him, Your Majesty. I simply don’t want to live longer than you.”
The king laughed.
Then he called the royal doctor.
“Doctor, examine the peaches.”
The doctor carefully inspected them.
“They appear perfectly healthy, Your Majesty.”
The king smiled.
“Good. Then I shall eat one.”
He took a bite.
Everyone waited.
Nothing happened.
The king took another bite.
Still nothing.
He finished the peach and smiled.
“I feel perfectly fine.”
The servant bowed.
“Excellent, Your Majesty.”
The king asked, “Do you believe the peaches give long life now?”
The servant smiled.
“Absolutely.”
“Why?”
“Because after watching you eat one, I already feel ten years younger.”
The king burst out laughing.
From that day forward, the king kept the remaining peaches locked safely in the palace kitchen.
Not because he feared they were dangerous.
He simply wanted to make sure nobody else discovered the secret of eternal youth before him.
