This story comes from Anand Ramayan, attributed to Valmiki, and written in Sanskrit in the 15th century. Long after Ram became king and all was well with the world, a dog came crying before Ram. He had been struck by a priest because he had licked food from the priest’s plate. Ram declared the priest guilty and asked the dog if he had any particular punishment for the priest. “Make him the head of the temple.” Ram immediately agreed.

Illustration/ Devdutt Pattanaik