The Princess Of the Blue Mountains
The sun dipped over the hills. Dark clouds gathered in the sky. Lightning flashed, followed by the rolling of thunder. A fierce wind blew and it began to rain. A lonesome traveler on a handsome white horse stopped at the crossroads. Who was he? He was none other than the brave young Prince Adwaita of Ujjwalpur. He had set out with his faithful horse on one of his long usual hunting trips. But alas, today he had lost his way. In the heavy downpour neither he nor his companion, the horse, knew which of the four paths led to the palace. Suddenly he saw a bright light glowing far away in the darkness. With a flicker of hope that he might find some help, he rode towards it. Deeper and deeper he went into the dense forest. The light led him to a large pool of water. The raging storm had by now become milder. And the young man beheld before him a wonderful sight. Above the crystal clear water, a host of glow worms moved in a spiraling circle. In fact, the wee little creatures seemed to be in their gayest of moods. They were dancing and forming beautiful patterns in the air. They glowed in fine rhythm, giving the impression of lilting music. The prince looked on in amazement. He just could not draw his eyes away from the reflection of the glow worms on the rippling water. "It's indeed a sight for the gods!" he exclaimed.
Tired and weary, he soon fell asleep, leaning against a tree, as the glow worms continued to glow and glow all night long. At the crack of dawn, when a mild light played on his face, he woke up but remained still. For, from a bough above his head a strange conversation flowed down into his ears. "Beyond the mountains blue," said the mother Parrot to her little one, "lives a beautiful princess, fairer than the spring day." "But has she not found her prince charming?" asked her young one. "Alas, great kings and princes have all ventured into the enchanting kingdom. But none has succeeded in fulfilling the conditions set to win her," replied the bird in a sorrowful strain. Now the brave young prince could contain himself no longer. Standing up he asked, "Parrot, Parrot, would you please tell me where lies the realm of the blue mountains, the home of the beautiful princess?" "Follow the way the wind blows, And the singing streamlet as it flows, The maiden, lovelier than the loveliest flower, Awaits thee in the tall palace tower." Sweetly sang the parrot and the prince mounting his horse sped away with the wind. He had traveled not for long when he reached a small clearing in the forest. There on the branch of the great banyan tree crouched a ferocious panther, all set to pounce on its prey. Below, at the foot of the trunk, sat an ascetic deep in a trance, unaware of the impending danger. The panther leaped and Prince Adwaita in a flash shot an arrow that hit its mark. The beast fell dead in front of the hermit who slowly opened his eyes. The youth bowed to him in reverence.
"You're brave and skillful and have indeed saved my body from being mauled by the beast," said the sage calmly. "But haven't I saved you?" asked the prince rather puzzled at his statement. "Even if the panther had killed me, only my physical body would have perished and not my true self. Water cannot drown it, nor can the fire burn it. It is immortal," replied the ascetic, happy at the question. "Nevertheless," he continued, "for your good and courageous deed, you shall be fittingly rewarded." The ascetic then went into the wee hut that stood nearby and returned with three magical gifts. A carpet that carried whosoever sat on it, wherever he wished to go. A golden bowl that provided as much food and water one desired, and lastly a lyre that played enchanting tunes. "Take these three presents, O young man. They will be of great help to you in hours of crisis," he said once again sat down, and closed his eyes. The white horse stood on the spread-out carpet. The prince sat on its back. "Off to the mountain blue, To the realm of princess true," he muttered. Higher and higher they rose into the sky and sailed towards the distant hills. At dusk, they reached their destination. Softly the magic carpet landed on the outskirts of the small kingdom. Not very far, beside a running brook stood a lonely cabin. Thrice he knocked and the wooden door opened with a loud creak. "Good evening, Grandma, would you mind giving me shelter for the night?" he asked. "Do come in, young lad. Alas, there is not even a morsel of food nor a drop of milk. Weary that you are, what can I offer you except a cozy corner by the fire?" said the poor old lady.