A king entrusted his son to a scholar, saying, “This child is yours; raise him as you would one of your own sons.”
The scholar accepted this duty and devoted several years to teaching the prince. Despite his efforts, he achieved no significant progress with him, while his own sons became accomplished in knowledge and eloquence.
The king, displeased, reproached the scholar, accusing him of breaking his promise and failing to fulfill his commitment.
The scholar replied, “May it not remain hidden from Your Majesty that the upbringing was indeed the same, but natural dispositions differ.
Though silver and gold come from stone,
Not every stone yields silver and gold.
Canopus shines on all the world alike,
Yet in some places, it ripens dates, in others, leather.”
