An Incident from History. Poem by Nabakishore Dash

King Alexander was
winning one kingdom
after another.
But his thirst for winning
was not over.

He wanted to conquer Bharat,
proceeded pompously
with his invincible
troop from Athens.
On the way he found
a dog was living in
a small cottage with
philosopher Diogenes.

Suddenly Diogenes arrived,
declared loudly to give
some thing to the king.
Handed over a coin
to him.

What is this?
asked king Alexander.
He replied that some rich man
threw this coin into my cottage
probably thinking me a beggar.

The same day I decided to
donate the coin to another
beggar worse than me.
Now I found the person,
offered the coin to thee.

Alexander got annoyed,
showed his might and power
to the philosopher.
Diogenes explained
'who collects alms for
living is not the beggar,
but who has never ending longing
even if he has a lot
is the beggar.'

While returning,
he breathed his last
on his way back,
went to the unknown abode.
All riches that he earned
and amassed failed
to save.