Bharata and the Sandals

When Rama was sent away to the forest for fourteen years, his brother Bharata was offered the throne. But Bharata did not want it — he believed it belonged to Rama.

He went to the forest and begged Rama to return. When Rama would not break his promise to their father, Bharata asked for Rama's sandals instead.

He carried the sandals home and placed them on the throne, ruling humbly in Rama's name until his brother came back. Bharata never once thought of the crown as his own.