In plain words
I have no need to bow to anyone. Everyone must serve me; I am no one's servant,’ he said. That friend heard it and laughed. ‘King! You are mistaken. In this world, from the king to the farmer, from the common man to the paramahaṃsa, every person is a servant, not a leader,’ he said. ‘God alone is the master,’ he said. ‘I shall never be a servant,’ said the king. Then this old friend said: ‘Sir! To strut about with so much Ahaṅkāra is madness. We are all servants! I can have the people prove it,’ he said. The king: ‘I give you two days' time. Am I a servant? Or am I master? That the people themselves must decide. If you do not prove it within two days, I will send you out of my kingdom,’ he said. ‘As you say, King! If a king wills it, he can do anything. But what I say is Satya. Whether you believe it or not, whether you keep me in the kingdom or drive me out, my Satya will not change,’ he said. ‘Very well, I have given you time; go,’ he said. The friend walked off with the help of his walking stick. He resolved to teach this king proper sense. What does 'friend' mean? The one who wishes his friend well is the true friend. But some friends, not holding to this Satya, put on a show of friendship for a while, up to a point. But one who holds to the word of Satya stays a friend to them all his life. This old friend was one bound to such a Satya. He said that, if the king permitted, he would now take his leave. ‘Very well, go,’ the king commanded. As he went on his way, the stick in his hand slipped to the ground. ‘Alas! I cannot bend down. There are no servants here at all! Without my stick I cannot take a single step forward! What am I to do?’ he wondered. The king asked, ‘Friend! What are you thinking?’ ‘My stick slipped and fell to the ground. Without my stick I cannot take even a single step forward. There is no one to help me,’ he said. ‘Do not worry. I will help you,’ and with that the king picked up the stick and gave it to him. At once, taking the stick in his hand, the friend said, ‘King! Just now you are my servant.’