Four Friends
Malayasimha, the Prince of the Maruda Kingdom, had three good friends: Gunasila, the Minister’s son, Jayasena, the General’s son and Dhanapal, the Merchant’s son. These four were classmates at the Royal Academy, and following their studies, they embarked on an adventure to explore the world.
Four Friends, Four Weddings
On their journey, they arrived at the Land of Jasmine Flowers. The Prince fell deeply in love with the Princess of this enchanting kingdom, who reciprocated his feelings. The Prince expressed his desire to marry her, to which she responded with a condition. She had three friends who were daughters of the General, the Minister, and a diamond merchant. The Princess expressed her desire to have her wedding coincide with her friends’. If suitors for her friends could be found, she would be delighted to marry the Prince.
On hearing about the Prince’s friends, the Princess agreed to marry him. Thus, they celebrated four grand weddings simultaneously, and the four couples later settled in the Maruda Kingdom.
The Prophecy and the Separation
Not long after, King Maruda passed away and Prince Malayasimha was declared the new king. He appointed his three friends to the positions of General, Minister, and Keeper of the royal treasury. As all four wives were expecting, the kingdom was filled with anticipation and joy.
During a light-hearted conversation, an eagle suddenly appeared before the King, surprising him further by speaking to him. The bird revealed a dire prophecy: all four wives were under a curse because they had tortured little birds as children. As a result, their newborns would die as soon as they rejoiced at the sight of them. This curse would last for twelve long years.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, the friends reluctantly decided that their children should be separated at birth and brought up in a distant place until the curse had passed. Following their birth, the children were swiftly moved to a safe location where they grew up to be bright young men.
The Challenges of Reunification
When twelve years had passed, a new problem emerged. The children had been separated from their parents before they had the chance to identify them. Determining which boy was the Prince, the General’s son, the Minister’s son, or the Merchant’s son became a complex dilemma.
The King decided to consult a wise, retired old Minister. He suggested that the lads undergo severe tests that would reveal their natural abilities and inherited traits. Four old men were sent to bring each youth to the capital separately.
Determining the Heirs
Each lad showed unique qualities while they faced various challenges on their journey to the capital. Once proven, the old Minister was able to identify each child and restore each son to his respective parents based on the displayed traits. This reunion filled the families with joy, and the King rewarded the old Minister generously for his wise counsel.