Vikram and Betal

King Vikramaditya was a just and courageous ruler. A tantric asked him to fetch a Betal, a spirit hanging from a tree in the cremation ground. Vikram accepted the challenge. Vikram went to the dark cremation ground at night. He took the Betal down from the tree and placed it on his shoulder. The Betal set a condition — he would tell a story during the journey and ask a question at the end. If Vikram knew the answer but stayed silent, his head would burst. But if Vikram spoke, the Betal would fly back to the tree. The Betal told a fascinating story and asked a difficult question. Vikram knew the answer and had to speak. The Betal flew back to the tree. Vikram went again, brought the Betal again, heard another story, another question. This cycle repeated twenty-five times. Each time, the Betal told a new tale testing dharma, justice, and wisdom. Finally, on the twenty-fifth story, Vikram remained silent and successfully carried the Betal to his destination.