Bride For The King
The Brothers’ Dilemma
Long ago, in a humble village, there lived three brothers. They were very poor and decided to seek employment from the king of the land. Upon their arrival, the king responded, “I’m afraid I don’t have suitable jobs for you. However, you can help out in the royal kitchen.”
All three brothers went to the royal kitchen and started their work. Among them, Sudarshan proved to be the most efficient. The king soon noticed this and summoned the other two brothers. “I see that Sudarshan is doing all your work,” he remarked. “It appears you two are of little use.”
Hearing this, the two older brothers felt dejected and planned to eliminate Sudarshan. They approached the king and said, “Yes, Your Majesty, our brother is capable of any task you assign.”
The King’s Quest
Consequently, the king called Sudarshan before him and announced, “I apologize for not assigning you to work suited to your talents. However, I now have a task for you. I intend to marry, so go and find the most beautiful bride for me.”
Sudarshan was utterly perplexed. “Your Majesty, how can I accomplish such a feat?” he stammered.
The king’s tone turned sharp. “Listen carefully, young man. You have one week to find a beautiful bride, or I will have your head!”
With no choice but to obey, a despondent Sudarshan returned to the royal kitchen. There, the kind chef packed some food for him. Setting off on his journey, Sudarshan passed through a dense forest. Feeling hungry, he rested under a tree and opened his food packet.
The Old Crone’s Help
At that moment, an old crone appeared before him. Seeing her, Sudarshan hospitably invited her to share his simple meal. The old woman gladly accepted and then asked where he was headed. Sudarshan explained the king’s order.
The old dame replied, “I can help you. Go straight until you reach the castle of the wizards. There, you will find many beautiful maidens. If you blow on this magic horn I give you, the wizards will leave you alone and even help you.”
Into the Enchanted Castle
Sudarshan thanked her for her advice and took the magic horn as he headed toward the wizard’s castle. Upon arriving, he blew vigorously on the horn, and soon all the wizards appeared before him, saying, “Master, how can we serve you?”
Sudarshan answered, “I seek the loveliest maiden in the world.” The wizards replied, “There are many beautiful maidens inside the castle, but we cannot touch them. However, we will take you inside.”
Soon, Sudarshan found himself inside the enchanted castle, but it appeared deserted. In one room, he spied three princesses, but they vanished the moment they saw him. He searched high and low, yet could not find them. As he explored further, he came across three lemons lying on the floor. He picked them up and continued on his way.
A Magical Encounter
As Sudarshan grew thirsty, he decided to slice open one of the lemons. To his astonishment, a beautiful face appeared within the fruit, crying out, “I am dying of thirst! Give me water quickly!”
Shocked, Sudarshan searched desperately for water, but before he could fetch any, the lovely maiden passed away. The same fate befell the second fruit he cut. Determined not to lose the third fruit, he resisted temptation and, with a parched throat, moved to the palace where he stood before the royal pond in the garden.
Once again, he sliced open the fruit. A beautiful face appeared, pleading for water. In a moment of determination, Sudarshan scooped some water from the pond and offered it to the maiden, who then emerged before him in all her glory.
The Chef’s Daughter
Relieved, Sudarshan sighed, “Thank God, my head is safe.” He instructed the lovely maiden to wait for him as he hurried to find the king.
Meanwhile, the chef’s daughter arrived at the pond to draw water and noticed the beautiful maiden sitting by the bank. Overcome with jealousy, she commanded the maiden to surrender all her jewels. When the maiden refused, the nasty girl pushed her into the pond and then sat down smugly on the bank.
The King’s Fury and Sudarshan’s Reward
Upon returning with the king, Sudarshan was astonished to find the unattractive chef’s daughter adorned in the jewels of the vanished maiden.
The king became furious, believing the two to be playing tricks on him. He imprisoned them both. The following day, the gardener caught a white fish from the royal pond and presented it to the king. The fish was sent to the kitchen for cooking.
One of the attendants cut open the fish, and to everyone’s surprise, a beautiful maiden emerged. He rushed to inform the king about this marvel.
The king hurried to the scene and was met by the loveliest maiden, who narrated her tale of misfortune and praised Sudarshan for his bravery.
Grateful, the king released Sudarshan and appointed him chief of the royal guard. He then married the beautiful maiden, and they lived happily ever after. As for the ugly daughter of the royal chef, she was exiled and was never seen again.