The Curse
Deep in the mystical land of Sirupur, a kingdom shrouded in legends and whispers, reigned King Pradip. Yet, it was not the king who held the true power, but instead a shadowy figure who lurked in the midst. Rajaguru, a priest known to be a master of the dark arts. His presence was one of ominous authority, and his wrath was so dreaded that it could turn dissenters into grotesque creatures or inflict unspeakable illnesses upon them. Such was his power that even the king himself dared not oppose him.
Rajaguru’s Influence
Amidst this atmosphere of fear and mystery, Princess Manjula, the king’s daughter, grew into a figure of grace and beauty. She found companionship in Saumya, Rajaguru’s own daughter. Though Saumya possessed captivating beauty, her disposition was fiery and envious, a tempest waiting to unleash its fury. The princess endured Saumya’s foul moods, knowing too well the sinister consequences of incurring Rajaguru’s wrath.
A Fateful Encounter
On a bright morning, the two young women set out to bathe in the nearby stream. As sunlight danced on the water’s surface, Saumya emerged first and, mischievously, donned the princess’s ornate sari and jewelry. “But you are wearing my clothes,” Manjula protested quietly. With a smug glare, Saumya retorted, “I shall wear what I please, and if you utter another word, my father shall know.” Incensed by the audacity, Princess Manjula pushed Saumya into the stream, laughing as she walked away, leaving her companion screaming and splashing in the water.
The Prince and the Sorcerer’s Daughter
Not long afterwards, Prince of Mangal rode by, drawn to the commotion. He was captivated by the sight of Saumya, a beautiful figure stranded in the stream. Quick to aid her, he dismounted and offered assistance. Saumya, aware of the prince’s interest in the princess, attempted to charm him with her captivating allure. But upon realizing her lineage as the daughter of the infamous Rajaguru he promptly escorted her back to the palace and departed, eager to forget the incident.
Unjust Demands
Frustrated and humiliated, Saumya stormed into the chamber where the princess conversed with King Pradip. With a voice raised in accusation, she declared that Manjula had attempted to drown her. Despite the king’s efforts to calm the situation and Rajaguru’s placatory gestures, Saumya hurled an ultimatum in a cold, unwavering voice, “I must wed the Prince of Mangal, and Princess Manjula shall be my handmaiden, or she shall be turned into a frog.” The king was appalled, yet once again, Rajaguru supported his daughter’s demands, as he had long desired for her to marry into royalty.
A Heartbroken Princess
Forced by Rajaguru’s looming anger, the prince yielded to marrying Saumya. Thus, the heartbroken princess became a servant to her once-friend. In her mind, Saumya crafted grandiose dreams of life beside the prince, only to be confronted with reality’s stark indifference. Unyielding to her tantrums, the prince showed disdain for her whims. As her frustration mounted, so did her destructive outbursts, her temper leaving chaos in its wake.
The Curse Unveiled
Time passed, and Saumya gave birth to a son whom the prince cherished deeply, yet she could scarcely tolerate. When the prince and Princess Manjula planned their escape, they intended to annul the marriage and raise the boy as their own. Foreseeing potential vengeance from Rajaguru, the prince confronted King Pradip, only to find Rajaguru already present seething. Before the prince could elaborate, Rajaguru pointed a condemning finger and decreed, “You treacherous dog, from now on, you shall be as an old man of eighty, unless someone else chooses to bear your old age.” Instantly, the prince became frail and bowed, despairing that anyone would willingly take his place.
A Selfless Sacrifice
When the prince returned home, he recounted the tale to a devastated Princess Manjula. Yet, as dawn broke, he found himself miraculously restored. In disbelief, he looked upon a small figure shuffling into the room his own son, transformed into an aged dwarf. The child, moved by his father’s plight, had willingly accepted the burden of the curse. The kingdom buzzed with the tale, echoing to Rajaguru’s ears.
Breaking the Curse
Realizing that his grandson now bore the weight of his malice, Rajaguru relented, undoing the dark spell. Peace returned to the kingdom as Rajaguru and Saumya departed, leaving behind a realm where the prince, princess, and their son thrived in happiness and harmony.