Betaal Pachisi -Story 18 - The generous prince

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. There was a prince named G. Mutvahan of a state in the lap of forests. He saw a smalll plant which his men were pulling out. He at once stopped them and ordered that the plant should not be pulled. He himself will look after it, irrigate it regularly and provide it with needed fertilizers etc. With due care the plant flourished and soon turned into a tree.

One day when he was irrigating the plant he heard a voice. “I am much pleased with you, I am Kalp Tree I can fulfill your wishes, tell me what do do you want. The prince replied that he was the prince and that he needed nothing. The Kalp tree said if not for yourself you can ask for others. The prince replied that all the people of the land are his subjects. If he wants he should do something good for all. The Kalp tree at once showered lots of coins which the prince distributed generously to his subjects.

While the prince was distributing coins, he came across a lady whose son was being dressed to be the food of a monster bird. The lady was very distressed and pleaded for help in the matter. The prince assured her his help and said that he will fight with the monster bird and will save her son’s life. As promised he hurried to reach the spot where the monster bird was likely to come.

Shankhchoor, the man whose turn it was to be the food of that monster bird had first gone to the temple to pay tributes to the deity. When he learnt that the prince was offering to die in his place he insisted that it was his turn and that the prince should not sacrifice his life for his sake. The monster bird had come to take his food. Shankhchoor insisted that he should be allowed to be the food of the bird. The prince said that he will fight the monster bird and will kill it. The bird asked the prince why he wants to protect him and putting himself in trouble. The prince boldly said that he was the king of the land and that it was his moral duty to protect the masses. The bird said that I am much impressed and pleased with you. The prince said that if you are pleased with me then spare these poor people and do not harm them. The monster bird asked about his food. The prince assured that from today onwards you will be my guest and I will arrange food for you. The monster bird agreed. When the bird demanded food, the prince approached the Kalp tree and said that the bird is my guest please arrange food for him. At once the tree showered enough fruits for the bird.

After having narrated the story the Vetala raised a question. Between the prince and the victim Shankhchoor, whose sacrifice is superior. Reply the question honestly or else your head will get broken.Vikram replied that the sacrifice of Shankhchoor is superior. He was not selfish. When the prince offered to die in his place, he tried to stop him and was willing to sacrifice his life. But now as the King Vikram had spoken, the Vetala took advantage of it and flew back to his old tree.