A king by the name of Amar Singha wanted to test the cleverness of the neighboring king, Rana Roy. He sent the king three golden figurines, each with the same appearance and weight. The king's task was to conclude which figurine is the most valuable.

Rana Roy and his court ministers studied the figurines, but were unable to distinguish one from the other. Even the wisest person in his kingdom could not see any differences. The king was troubled about being disgraced for having a kingdom where no one was intelligent enough to judge the differing values of the figurines. The whole kingdom participated in the task and everyone did their best.

Just when they were about to give up hope a young man named, Brajesh sent a message to the king. He said that he would determine the difference if he could inspect the figurines. Rana Roy had him brought to the palace and he presented the figurines to him. Brajesh looked them over very carefully.

After some time, he noticed that all three figurines had a small hole in the ear. He inserted a thin silver thread and discovered that, with the first figurine the thread came out through the mouth. With the second figurine, the thread came out the other ear. With the third, the thread came out through the navel. After thinking about this for a while, he turned to the king.

"Your Majesty," Brajesh said, "I think the solution to this puzzle lies before us like an open book. Our task was to try and read this book. Just as every person is different from another, each of these figurines is unique in itself."

"The first figurine reminds us of people who immediately go out and retell what they have just heard. The second figurine is like the person for whom news goes in one ear and out the other. The third figurine, however, is very much like a person who keeps to herself what she hears, and she lets it move her heart. On this basis, you should judge the value of the figurines.

Which would you want as your confidant? The one who cannot keep anything to himself? The one who considers your words no more important than the wind? Or the one who is a trustworthy keeper of your words?"

Note: This story is based on an old Persian folk-tale.

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