The Forest Prince
The King’s Adventure
Long, long ago, a king named Punyaketu went on a hunting trip. He chased a deer and ventured deep into the forest, getting lost and separated from his men. After wandering for some time, he stumbled upon a neat little cottage. When he knocked on the door, a beautiful maiden opened it and invited him in. The king was captivated by her beauty and asked her to marry him. She consented gladly, and thus, King Punyaketu and Shalini lived as husband and wife. Eventually, a son was born to them.
The Call to Return
Sometime later, some of the king’s men discovered his hiding place, and he was forced to return to the capital. Before he left, he called Shalini to him and said, “I am going back to the palace to fulfil my duties. When our son grows into a man, send him to me so that I may recognize him. Hang this locket around his neck.” He gave Shalini a beautifully crafted locket and galloped off to the palace.
Sundar’s Journey
As time passed, Shalini’s son, named Sundar, grew up to be a handsome lad. One day, she called him aside and shared a secret. “Son, you are the son of the king of this land. Your father wanted me to take you to the palace, but I did not agree. Now, you must go and fulfil your destiny as the heir to the throne. Show your father this locket for recognition. However, if you see Grumpy along the way, return home.” Sundar, not knowing who Grumpy was, promised to obey his mother.
Encounter with Grumpy
Sundar ventured out, but he had hardly taken a few steps when he spotted Grumpy. Remembering his mother’s warning, he quickly retraced his steps. This happened two more times, and on his third attempt, he proceeded more cautiously. He hid behind a tree when he saw Grumpy, but Grumpy discovered him and struck up a conversation.
Grumpy soon learned Sundar’s true identity and said, “Well, Sir, we’ll go together. As your father has never seen you, I will help you get introduced to the king.” Eventually, the two young men reached a well. Grumpy claimed to be thirsty but said the water was too far down. Sundar, eager to help, descended into the well, only for Grumpy to roll a huge boulder over the opening and declare, “Silly fellow until you do what I say, I won’t let you come up.”
The False Prince’s Treachery
Trapped, Sundar had no choice but to promise to obey Grumpy to survive. Once free, Grumpy began to treat him like a servant. When they finally arrived at the palace, Grumpy introduced himself to the king as his son. Although the king was sceptical due to Grumpy’s cross-eyed and peevish appearance, he was overjoyed to meet his only son, and soon all thoughts of proof vanished. Grumpy lived like a prince in the palace while Sundar was forced to obey him.
But Grumpy was not satisfied, fearing that the truth would eventually come out. He devised a plan to eliminate Sundar. “Father,” he said to the king, “I have everything in the palace except one thing.” The surprised king asked, “And what is that?” Grumpy replied, “If I had Princess Sundari here with me, that would be perfect.”
The Quest for Princess Sundari
The king exclaimed, “But she lives in a grim castle with high walls that no one can scale.” “Don’t worry, Sir,” Grumpy responded confidently. “My servant can accomplish this seemingly impossible task.” Grumpy then called Sundar and commanded him, “Go and bring Princess Sundari to the palace. This is the king’s order. If you fail, I shall have you beheaded.” Sundar had no choice but to comply.
He set off on his journey, weary and unsure of where the castle lay. Eventually, he rested under a tree. An old crone approached and, noticing his sorrow, asked about his troubles. Sundar recounted his story. The old woman responded, “Do not worry, Son. I will guide you. On your way, you will meet some lions. Do not be afraid; invite them to the palace, and they will feast well. Along the way, you will encounter ants and bees; ask them to come too. Finally, you will reach Princess Sundari.”
The Trials of Strength
Sundar followed the old crone’s advice and encountered the lions, ants, and bees as she had said. Upon reaching the castle, the guards stopped him before allowing him to meet the princess. They told him he must complete three tasks first. They took him to a room full of meat, commanding him to eat all of it by nightfall. Sundar thought of the lions and shared the bounty, finishing every last morsel.
Surprised by his accomplishment, the guards moved Sundar to another room filled with grains up to the ceiling. He remembered the ants and, just like that, they swarmed in and cleared the grains. Finally, he was taken to a room with forty barrels of wine and ordered to drink every drop. This time, Sundar thought of the bees, and they came together to help him finish the task.
Facing Grumpy
Eventually, Princess Sundari agreed to meet Sundar and decided to accompany him back to his land. However, Grumpy had been vigilantly watching from the castle ramparts. Upon seeing Sundar and the princess, he grew anxious and plotted Sundar’s demise.
As they approached, Grumpy feigned friendliness and invited Sundar to the top of the castle. When Sundar stood before him, Grumpy suddenly pushed him down into the moat. But Princess Sundari leapt in after him, pulling him ashore and reviving him with her magical wand. Grumpy, terrified, fled the scene.
The Truth is Revealed
When Sundar opened his eyes, Sundari explained what had transpired. Sundar realized, “You have brought me back from the brink of death, so I am not bound by oath to Grumpy anymore.” He returned to the palace and presented the king with the locket, recounting all his adventures. The king, relieved to discover the true heir stood before him, celebrated the union of Sundar and Sundari while Grumpy vanished into the night, never to be heard from again.