A mendicant once went to the palace of Akbar, the emperor of India, who was known for his munificence and gifts. As the emperor was at his prayers, the mendicant waited a short distance away. He, however, heard the emperor finish his prayer by praying to the Almighty for more wealth, property and honour. Having overheard this, the mendicant began to think that the emperor himself was nothing but another beggar and asked himself how one beggar could relieve the needs of another beggar. He, therefore, went out of the palace. The emperor on hearing that the mendicant had gone away, at once sent a servant to go and bring him back to the palace. When the mendicant was brought before him, the emperor asked him why he had gone away without taking a gift from him. The mendicant said, “Sire, I heard you saying your prayers in which you were asking the Almighty for more property, more wealth and more honour, and I found that your wants were a thousand times more than mine. How can you, who are yourself a beggar, help me in my need?” The emperor then realised his own limitations though he possessed vast powers and immense wealth.