The Maharaja’s minions could not give the right advice to the king because the despotic and foolish king was driven by fear of death. The minions either flattered him or remained mute. They were afraid lest they should lose their own life at the king’s behest. Only the dewan was conscious of the resentment that was brewing in the kingdom because of the king’s arbitrary decisions. He showed some sense in arranging the hundredth tiger that the king could kill. He had hoped that this way the king would get rid of his fear and his atrocities would cease. Unfortunately, the tiger did not die at the hands of the king. It was impossible for the minions to make the superstitious king see reason. They feared that any attempt to do so would invite punishment, even death.