Fairy Good Fortune
The Blessing of Fortune
In a far-off village, a humble peasant became the father of a lovely boy. That very night, Fairy Good Fortune visited him and said, “I shall be the Godmother to your son. I cannot grant him wealth, but I will make him a very fortunate lad.” She named the child Sundar, and the peasant and his wife gratefully accepted the blessings of the fairy.
Growing Luck
As he grew, Sundar became a handsome young man, always protected and guided by Fairy Good Fortune. Whatever he attempted bore fruit, leading everyone to believe he was the most fortunate of men.
A Discontented Heart
Eventually, Sundar began helping his father in the paddy fields. The fields produced a bumper yield, and they lived prosperously. Yet, Sundar felt an emptiness. One day, he confided to his father, “I know I should be grateful for the Good Fortune in my life, but how I wish the Good Fairy had granted me a large fortune.”
A Meeting with the Fairy
As he finished speaking, Fairy Good Fortune appeared before him and replied, “I can only bring you good luck. If you desire money, you must pray to the Goddess of Wealth. But why complain? Everyone considers you the most fortunate of men.”
Unfulfilled Desires
Sundar retorted, “Where do you see my good fortune?” The Fairy pointed out, “Your fields yield more than all the others!”
“Oh! That!” Sundar exclaimed. “I worked hard, and that is why my fields are fertile. What is so wonderful about that?”
The Fairy asked, “Then what do you truly want?”
“I want a lot of money,” Sundar insisted. “There are many who hardly do anything yet are blessed with wealth. Who wants to be a goatherd and cowherd all his life?”
A Journey to the City
Sensing his ignorance and stubborn nature, Fairy Good Fortune chose not to abandon him. One day, Sundar travelled to the big city to sell his rice. He marvelled at the finely dressed nobles and the luxurious lifestyle they led. The city captivated him, and he found himself visiting more often.
A Love Unattainable
One day, Sundar saw the royal princess being carried in a palanquin. He fell desperately in love and exclaimed that he would give anything to marry her. A passerby, overhearing him, said with a knowing smile, “Friend, many have said the same thing. However, her father, the king, will marry her only to a man who can offer immense gold. No one in the world has that kind of wealth, so the princess remains unmarried.”
Heartbroken, Sundar wondered about the value of his fortune if he could not attain gold.
A Deal with the Goddess
Sundar, growing increasingly frustrated, replied, “Do I have to work again to get that gold? Just give me three bags full, and you can keep the rest.”
A Transformative Choice
Just then, the Goddess of Wealth appeared and exclaimed, “For that, you need my help.” Sundar was surprised and, upon learning her identity, urged her to stay by his side like Fairy Good Fortune.
<p“That cannot be,” replied the Goddess. “I will grant you three boons, but after that, you will never see me again.” Sundar, eager for gold, quickly agreed, “Very well, first turn me into a handsome prince, second, let me be noble, and third, grant me a vast fortune.” The Goddess of Wealth granted these wishes.
The Tragic End
In his eagerness, Sundar completely forgot about Fairy Good Fortune, who felt deeply hurt by his neglect and left him forever. Transformed into a handsome prince, Sundar went to the royal court, unaware that the princess was secretly in love with Abhayavarma, a neighbouring king’s son, whose lack of wealth prevented their union.
Sundar, with his newfound wealth, presented gold to the king and claimed the princess’s hand. The delighted king agreed, despite his daughter’s objections, and began preparations for the wedding. However, during the procession through the city, a massive boulder fell from the ramparts and tragically crushed Sundar’s head.
The king kept the gold and married his daughter to Abhayavarma. Thus, poor Sundar met a cruel fate, as he could neither enjoy his wealth nor marry the princess, for fortune had deserted him.