Once Dattatreya was sitting in meditation when King Yadu passed by and saw this young person sitting unaffected, happy and calm.

King Yadu approached Dattatreya and humbly asked, “ How do you remain unaffected by troubles, happy and calm? Why do you always seem to be floating in bliss (happiness)? What has made this possible?”

Dattatreya replied, “O King Yadu I have observed the world closely and obtained a little knowledge from a number of gurus (teachers). Listen carefully! I will tell you what I have learnt.”

Datta said, “O King Yadu, listen carefully to what I learnt from the Honey Thief.”

“Bees build a hive (home) with much effort.  The honey thief contrives to smoke out the bees and steal the honey.  

Thus the strong rob the weak of their wealth. Just or unjust, this is the way of the world."

"I learnt from the honey thief that if a person is stingy and hides his wealth without himself enjoying it or allowing others to share it, he risks being robbed by someone!

Lesson learned from the Honey Thief further illustrated