Then Guido said: “My lord, I will sell the stone; but let me say one thing—if the price be not given, it shall be returned to me.” He then named a price so high that he hoped the Emperor would not give it. But the ruler was determined to have it at any cost, and so the stone changed hands.
Full of admiration, the Emperor exclaimed: “Tell me where you procured this beautiful stone.”
Then Guido narrated from the beginning the Prime Minister’s accident and later ingratitude. He told how severely he had been injured by his order, and the benefits he had received from the lion, the monkey, and the serpent.
The Emperor was greatly touched by the story, and sending for his Chief Counsellor, asked him if what Guido said was true.
The Prime Minister was unable to reply, and the Emperor said: “You wretched monster of ingratitude! Guido saved you from great danger, and in return you nearly destroyed him. Even the beasts of the forest rendered him good for the help he gave them, but you returned only evil for good. For this I will strip you of all your wealth and dignities, and bestow them upon your benefactor, and you shall be cast into prison.”
The Prime Minister was so hated by the people for his cruelty and oppression that there was general rejoicing in the land at this judgment of the Emperor.
This story was used by King Richard the Lion Hearted of England in reproving such nobles and princes as refused to engage in the Crusades, thus showing their ingratitude to God.