Four young men named Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt were traveling together towards the city of Ujjain in search of suitable work. They hoped to meet the King of Ujjain and serve him. As they walked along a dusty road, they carefully noticed several clues and tracks left behind by a camel.
Soon, an anxious merchant met them on the road, searching desperately for his missing camel. Without ever seeing the animal, the four men accurately described its physical condition. They revealed that the camel was lame in one leg, blind in its right eye, had a short tail, and was suffering from severe stomach pain. The merchant was shocked by their exact knowledge and suspected them of being thieves who had stolen and sold his camel. Angry and suspicious, he dragged the four men to the royal court of Ujjain.
Before the King, the young men calmly explained how they had made their deductions using only keen observation and logical reasoning. Ram Datt deduced that the camel was lame because only three footprints were clear, while the fourth was faint. Shiv Datt observed that only the leaves on the left side of the road were eaten, which proved the camel was blind in its right eye. Har Datt noted drops of blood from insect bites, concluding that the camel had a short tail that could not swat away pests. Finally, Dev Datt noticed deep front footprints and faint hind footprints, which showed the animal was lifting its hind legs to ease its belly ache.
The King was greatly impressed by their sharp intellect and extraordinary powers of observation. He dismissed the merchant’s false accusations and sent him away in shame. Recognising their exceptional wisdom and sound judgement, the King honoured the four young men by appointing them as his royal court advisers.