The Reward Rejected
The Stormy Night
It was a stormy night. Violent winds shook the trees, and amidst the frequent flashes of lightning, King Vikram could see terrible faces frowning upon him. He could also hear the sound of strange laughter. However, none of this could deter him from his mission.
The Corpse and the Vampire
He reached the old tree and brought down the corpse once again. But as soon as he began to walk, the vampire that possessed the corpse said, “O King! You deserve praise for your labor. But, I hope, unlike Shri, you will not choose to reject the reward of your endeavors when it finally comes to you. Let me tell you about Shri; listening to the story might make your burden a little lighter.”
The Gifted Shri
The vampire continued, “In the city of Ujjain lived a learned man who was poor. Shri was the name of his daughter, and she was a prodigy. She could remember scriptures and answer questions from them quite spontaneously. Even more remarkable was her ability to compose poems instantly when given a suitable topic.”
Shri’s Rise to Fame
Her father presented her before several gatherings of scholars, who immediately recognized her as a genius. Shri received warm welcomes wherever she went with her father, but she remained humble and continued to learn more.
Love and Choice
As Shri grew up, she became an exceptionally beautiful maiden, attracting the attention of many young men who desired to marry her. Yet she had her heart set on Chandrashekhar, a poor young man. Shri believed, “The gift of scholarship that God has bestowed upon me should bring me some wealth someday. Then, I will marry Chandrashekhar.”
The King’s Invitation
Soon, the king of the land heard about the talented Shri and invited her to his annual conference of scholars held at his palace. Shri impressed everyone with her scholarship and modesty, also excelling at composing verses on the spot. The king showered her with gifts, and when the conference concluded, he invited her to remain as his guest for a few days.
Life in the Palace
This was the highest honor the king could bestow upon any of his subjects. Shri was welcomed into luxurious accommodations, with maids at her service. The young prince often discussed philosophical issues with her, showing great appreciation for her understanding, while the princesses played games with her. She enjoyed the performances of dances and songs, feeling renewed as the memories of her hardships faded.
The Proposal
Several weeks passed, and Shri began to wish to return home. However, the royal family grew fond of her, making it difficult for her to propose her departure. One moonlit night, while strolling on her terrace, the prince approached her.
“Shri! The night is beautiful with moonlight and breeze. Can you recite a verse for it?” asked the prince.
It should not have been a difficult task for Shri, but she fumbled and could not produce even a line. “Never mind,” said the prince, “there should be the right mood for composing verses. I have something more to tell you. I am fascinated by you. Will you agree to marry me?”
The Decision
Shri was taken aback, unprepared for such a proposal. “My decision will be known to you tomorrow,” she managed to respond. The prince thanked her and departed.
Early the following morning, Shri approached the queen, saying, “I have been here for several weeks. Kindly allow me to return to my parents.” The queen arranged for a palanquin and bearers to carry her and the gifts she had received back to her father’s house.
A New Beginning
After a month, Shri married Chandrashekhar.
The Vampire’s Challenge
The vampire concluded the story and asked the king in a challenging tone, “How could Shri be so foolish as to refuse the prince’s proposal? If she considered staying in the palace a great honor, how could she dismiss a far greater honor? Answer my questions, O King, if you are intelligent enough to understand Shri’s mind. If you remain silent despite knowing the answer, you will fall dead, your head shattered.”
The King’s Wisdom
King Vikram responded, “Far from being foolish, Shri acted wisely. Although she enjoyed her time in the palace, she never forgot that the honor was due to her talent. When the prince asked her to compose a verse, she realized she was losing her ability. To remain in the palace would mean the death of her talent. She had two loves—her talent and Chandrashekhar. Accepting the prince’s proposal would sacrifice both.”
A Decision Made
No sooner had the king finished speaking than the corpse slipped away. King Vikram stood immobile for a moment, then made up his mind and turned to march back towards the tree he had left behind.