Mythology Moral Stories - The Dreaded Conspiracy - 1

Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening.

All of his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life.  One of the students curiously asked the sage about the theme his new story was based on.

Suryananda smiled at him benignly and addressed everyone in a crisp voice, “Dear students, today I am bringing in a slight change in my way of narrating the story to you.”  The sage smiled at the puzzled expression on his students’ face and continued,

“Today I will first tell you the story and then I want you to tell me the moral behind it.  Alright?”  This sent an air of excitement among the children and they readily agreed to it.  Sage Suryananda, then, began telling them the following story, which the students listened with rapt attention.

“Are you enjoying this ride, Vijaya?”  King Raghunathan asked his five –year old son Vijaya.

“I am, father, but Chandrika (the horse) is going quite slow today!  I want her to go fast!”  So saying, Vijaya smacked the horse on it’s back and raised his voice, “Come on, Chandrika!  Go fast!”

The King was taken aback at this act of his son.  “No, my child!  You should not hit any animal like that!  If you want the horse to go fast, you can tell her in a kind manner!  Isn’t it?”

Vijaya agreed and was about to apologise to the horse when she suddenly stopped, stood on her hind legs and neighed fiercely.  She repeated this act a couple of times and before the King and his son could realise what was happening took off in great speed!

Raghunathan tried issuing some commands to make her run at her normal speed but she did not pay any heed to him!  She barely missed running over passersby and continued to rush through neighing at times.

People, at once, realised that their ruler and his son were in grave danger.  Some of them rushed to the palace and informed the Queen about the developments.  A shocked Queen Padmavati immediately dispatched some of the most trusted aides of the King in the direction, as was pointed out by the informers, where the horse was found racing along.

Meanwhile, there was no respite in the incredible speed at which Chandrika was going.  It appeared as if she was in great fury that had made her go berserk.  Vijaya, who was sitting in the front on the horse’s back realised that something was wrong!  The King exhorted him to not panic and be courageous.  He prayed to the Almighty, “O God!  If anything has to happen today, let it happen to me!

Please protect my son!”  Just then the horse entered a big farm.  Raghunathan found that on one side of the farm there was a bunch of hay and it was in this direction that the horse was now heading to.

An idea struck him!  As the horse passed over the heap of hay he quickly rose to action.  Lifting his son he threw him in the bunch of hay kept over there!  This saved Vijaya’s life!  The people who were at work in the farm and were witness to all this action rushed towards Vijaya.

One of them took the child, who appeared bewildered, in his arms.  Raghunathan heaved a sign of relief!  He found a small tree ahead where a man had climbed up and plucking some fruits.  The King figured that the horse was going to pass below the tree.  As the man who was up on the tree looked at him, Raghunathan pointed his finger at himself and then raised his hands.

At first, the man who was atop the tree could not understand what the King was gesturing!  Then, he got the point!  He threw the fruits he had collected on the ground and quickly rested on a very thick branch of that tree and hung his hands down.  As Chandrika passed from below, Raghunathan raised his hands which was duly caught by the man on the tree and he slightly pulled the King up even as the horse raced past ahead!  Thus, the King was saved!

“Thanks, friend!  You can now leave my hands!  Even if I fall no harm would befall me for the ground is just below!”

The man reluctantly loosened his grip on the King’s hands and he fell down.  The King watched Chandrika disappear from his sight and by that time his saviour also came down from the tree.  Raghunathan thanked him for saving his life and trudged along to meet his son.

Vijaya was in the arms of a farm worker and crying bitterly.  The little child was terrified by the event and was giving full vent to his feelings!  Raghunathan took him in his arms and managed to comfort him.

Soon, Vijaya dozed off in the arms of his father!  “What happened, Maharaj?”  asked one of the workers.  King Raghunathan apprised them of the events and concluded thoughtfully, “It may be that Chandrika behaved in this manner owing to the rude act of Vijaya!  However, I have my doubts!  She is a very well-behaved horse and for her to get so furious appears strange!”

One of the farm workers spoke up, “Maharaj, you must be very tired following this incident. Why don’t you rest awhile in Roopchandji’s house who is the owner of this farm?”

The King agreed to this proposal.  The workers accompanied him to Roopchand’s house who was delighted to see the King.

(To Continue)