Betaal Pachisi - Story 13 - Giant and the brave boy

Vikrama tries again to catch vetala. After several attempts he succeeds and starts taking him to the ascetic. Vetala starts narrating him a story so that they can easily complete the long journey once again but warns him not to speak anything else he will go back to his place again. He begins narrating story about the king of Chitrakoot, Rupdutt. He once went to forest and saw a beautiful girl there. He immediately proposed to marry her to her father. He readily agreed and both of them got married. After marriage they began journey to return to their capital. On the way, they felt very thirsty and started searching for the same. While searching for water they reached an old cave where giant lived. He attacked the king and told that he will eat him today. King begged for his life and asked him that he promises to send another human being in next 7 days. Giant agreed and told him if that doesnt happen then he will eat him.

King reached his palace and told his minister about the same. After searching for couple of days they did not find any human being. Minister suggested the king that to make this happen we have to give money. King agreed for the same and gave lots of gold, jewelry, etc. An announcement was made that king has promised to giant that someone will be given to him as his food. So, who so ever agrees will get this treasure. But no one turned up after this announcement. One handicapped person who was very poor too heard about it and discussed the same with his family. His son agreed to go to giant as his food to improve the condition of his family. King and queen were happy to have found a person. Queen blessed him. After that the man laughed loudly and cried bitterly. He promised to himself that he wont die like this. He prayed to lord and left to meet giant. Giant is waiting for his food on the other side.

Brave man on reaching cave pulls king’s guards too in the cave. One of the soldier gets killed and then giant attacks the man. Man faces him bravely and kills him after multiple efforts. At this point Vetala asks Vikram to tell why that man laughed and cried. Vikram tells that reason is the same. The king who should have protected me has sent him to giant and the parents who should have helped him in his growth have sold him for money. He realizes that everyone has to face his own struggles in life. This gave me strength and inspiration to fight with the giant and emerge as a winner.

Vetala gets happy with Vikrama’s answer but he again flies back to his abode telling that he could not keep quite. Vikrama runs behind him again to catch him.