SYNOPSIS- Pleasing News
Mythology Moral Stories - The Dreaded Conspiracy - 4
Story so far:
Grilling Vedant regarding the incident where the horse Chandrika had run amok served no purpose. Vedant himself appeared bewildered at the turn of events and had no clue as to why it all happened. The horse returned to the stable on her own and the King thereby visited her. Vedant was in favour of punishing the horse which was however turned down by the King. He felt sure in his heart that the horse misbehaved because his son had not treated her properly that fateful evening. Queen Padmavati smelled of a conspiracy in this which did not get the support of the King. He found no reason to suspect anyone of indulging in any foul play.
In this chapter 'Pleasing News': King Raghunathan informed his trusted minister Biksham about the Queen's intuitions of foul play. The minister did not provide any concrete answer but he was left thinking over this. The King sent his men to find out if anyone was harmed by the horse on that eventful evening. It was a relief for him to learn that this was not the case. Thereafter, he put this incident behind the back of his mind considering it to be only an accident.
Ever since that incident, Vijaya began to display a fear for horses. The King decided to do away with his son's fear and took him to Chandrika. He beningly made his son understand about what he felt was the reason for her unusual behaviour that day and asked his son to seek her forgiveness. Would the child oblige? Would the fear he had developed for horses subside? Read the thrilling Part IV of this absorbing story to find out.
THE DREADED CONSPIRACY
4. Pleasing News
“Maharaj, this is just my intuition! I do not even know if this has to be taken seriously!” Queen Padmavati reasoned.
“O Padmavati!” Raghunathan intoned, “Since I do not feel that Vedant has done anything wrong, I am not in the favour of grilling him regarding this issue. I do not feel it appropriate to suspect Vedant!”
When the King told about the Queen’s feelings to Biksham, he appeared ambivalent.
Raghunathan sent his men to find out if Chandrika had caused harm to anyone after she ran away from the field of Roopchand.
In a couple of days time, his men returned with the good news that they did not come across anyone whom Chandrika might have harmed that fateful evening. After this, the King put this incident of Chandrika behind the back of his mind.
Just as the King had expected, Vijaya started displaying some fear towards horses. Raghunathan decided that he would not only obliterate this fear in the heart of his son against horses but would also make him learn to respect these animals.
One day, the King took his son to Chandrika. As they neared the stable, Vijaya began to grumble, “No, father! I do not want to see Chandrika! Please!”
The King spoke soothing words like, “Come on, Vijaya! Don’t you have trust in your father? Nothing is going to happen!” and took him to the horse. Vedant greeted them that was duly reciprocated by the King and Vijaya.
“Vijaya, do you know why Chandrika was so furious that evening? It was because you maltreated her, my son!
Always remember! Whether it is people like you and me or animals, you must always treat everyone with due respect! So what if animals can’t speak? They have emotions and get hurt if someone does not treat them properly.
My child, if Chandrika was angry that day you are to be blamed for that! Am I right, Vedant?” The horse-keeper agreed. The King took Vijaya in his arms, “Are you understanding what I am trying to say, dear?”
Vijaya nodded his head in agreement.
“Then you know what you should be doing now, don’t you?” Speaking in these terms, the King put Vijaya down. The boy went near the horse and apologised, “I am sorry for what I did, Chandrika! Please pardon me!”
Vijaya moved his hand softly over Chandrika’s face. The horse responded by licking his hand which thrilled the little boy! “Father! Look! Chandrika has pardoned me!”
Raghunathan smiled at his son, “Yes, my child! Since you and Chandrika are now friends let’s go for a ride on her! After that day, we have not had our evening rounds! Right?” Vijaya agreed and the King got on the horse’s back and made the child sit in the front.
“We’ll just have a small ride in the palace compound! Vedant, we’ll be back soon!”
The horse moved about in the compound at a slow pace as per the instructions of the King. Raghunathan was satisfied to see that Vijaya was enjoying the ride on Chandrika.
After a couple of rounds, the King left the horse in the stable under the care of Vedant and returned to the palace with his son happy that he had succeeded in his intentions.
From that day onwards, the King once again began to take his son for a ride on Chandrika in the evening.
A few days passed by. One day, a messenger from a nearby kingdom came to meet Raghunathan. “Maharaj, the son of my King Siddharth is going to tie the knot next week on this day.
I have come here to invite you for gracing this occasion.” The King was pleased to hear this. King Siddharth was his bosom friend and he was very happy to learn that his son was to get married soon.
Assuring the messenger that he would come to attend the marriage, Raghunathan asked his men to make all arrangements for his comfortable stay in the palace. The messenger, who was tired from his journey, left only the next day.
The King met his Queen and informed her of this news. “Maharaj, I was actually planning to visit my parents next week! I was about to tell you about it! After attending this marriage, can we go and stay with them for a few days?” Padmavati requested.
Raghunathan readily agreed to her proposal, “In that case, we will go for a short vacation, O Queen! It could be for some fifteen days. What about Vijaya?”
“Of course, he would be coming along! Vijaya has never been out of the palace before. Therefore, this would be a good change for him!” felt the Queen. The King agreed.
That evening itself, Raghunathan informed Biksham and his other council of ministers about his forthcoming trip. He vested all responsibilities of the kingdom affairs on Biksham and asked the other ministers to duly assist him.
Thereby the week after, he left with his family to Siddharth’s kingdom in his chariot.
(To Continue)
