Two brothers hated one another. Asked by the father the eldest said he knew no reason, but he would drink a cup of his brother's blood. The younger said he had no hatred at all. The father, fearing lest some evil befall the latter advised him to leave the town.
He took his father's advice and came to a place where the gates were locked. He knocked at the gate and was met by the princes, the great men hailing him as king. He first thought they were mocking him but they told him that the king having died without leaving issue, in order to settle strife among the great, they had decided to appoint as king the first man who knocked at the gates and he had been the first man.
So he became king. After a time he wanted to see his parents and for that purpose he threatened to invade the country where they were living. The king of that land, who was peaceloving, decided to send a deputation, but all his officers refusing, he selected by lot one of the Jews. It fell upon the father who, being old, sent his son.
The king recognised his brother and after rebuking him for his unreasonable hatred sent a message to the other king to send the father of the messenger. On that condition alone could peace be established. The old man went; the son told him what had happened and they all lived happily ever after. He was thus rewarded for obeying his father's wishes.