A frightened dove flew into King Shibi's lap, chased by a hungry hawk. “Protect me,” it pleaded. “I always protect those who come to me,” said the king.
But the hawk said, “This is my food. If you take it, my own family will starve. Is that fair?” The king thought hard. He offered the hawk his own flesh, equal in weight to the dove, so that neither would suffer.
His willingness to give of himself, rather than break his promise of protection, became famous far and wide. It had all been a test of his goodness — and he had passed.