Retelling of an 2,500 year old Indian mythology that aims to teach simple life lessons to young children.
Read the frame story
"I think it is a long way to the priest's place. Let us play a game. I will keep you entertained with a story along the way. I am sure you will not mind; it is going to be boring otherwise. My only condition is that you should not speak back to me. Otherwise I will fly away back to my tree" So saying, the cadaver began to tell a story
'Many years ago, in the city of Pataliputra, a trader named Suryamal and his best friend Chandrasen came to visit a very famous Durga temple. There Suryamal met a beautiful maiden with whom he fell in love.'
'He confided this in his friend who then approached the girl's parents for seeking their blessings for a marriage alliance. After understanding their daughter had also seen Suryamal in the temple and had taken a thing for him, the wedding ceremony was quickly arranged for.'
'The groom took his bride in a grand carriage and set across a long journey back home. The party were crossing a large forest area when they were attacked by a gang of bandits.'
'The merciless robbers not only stole the jewels and money, but also attacked the groom and the best man viciously. In the ensuing fight the heads of the two best friends were chopped off.'
The Betaal let the situation sink in Vikram's head. The great king stopped for a minute, but then continued on walking with the cadaver on his broad shoulders. Betaal continued the story.
'The girl was distraught. In a moment of anguish & despair she decided to end her own life that very moment.'
'Just then goddess Durga appeared in front of her and tells her that for all her devotion the young bride has shown in the past, she will help that girl and save her from this dire situation! She asks the girl to put the head & body of each of the fallen men, before she can bring them back to life.'
'For the girl, all this was too much to take in. In a moment of panic, she put together the head of her husband with the body of his friend and vice-versa. The goddess brings them both back to life with divine magic!'
Betaal now directed his voice towards Vikram. "I have heard tales about your skills in being a just and good king. You will tell me to whom is this young maiden a bride of? To the man with her husband's head or the one with his body? Answer me now, or else I will blow up your head with all the power I possess."
Sucked into the story and the cadaver's mesmerising voice, Vikram could not control himself from responding. "Listen Betaal. The parts of a human body are unique in their abilities. Each possess a characteristic function that is vital to living. But the master of all these is always the head. The command of the brain runs a person's body. The head, therefore, gains prominence. The trunk and extremities are only slaves. Therefore, the person to whom the person's head is attached is her rightful husband." Vikram summarised in one swift answer.
"Excellent Vikram! the cadaver sneered. I always knew that you were a smart man. However, you made one mistake. You forgot that the moment you speak I shall get released from your hold!"
Saying these words, the cadaver rose up in air. "Do not chase me Vikram. It is pointless and I shall never be bounded to you. The priest who sent you is an untrue man and you should go back. Stop wasting precious time in trying to get me."
So saying it flew back to once again go perch on that dead neem tree in the middle of the forest. Vikram, was not a man to give up so easily. Picking his sword he gave the cadaver a chase, but knew very well that he had to once again had to retrieve it before carrying it towards the priest's cave.
And in his heart, he also knew very well, that the priest was right in a way - the cadaver's speech had an ancient magic in them that it was impossible to avoid being enthralled in its tales. He also realised that once he traps it again, the cadaver will begin to spin yet another tale…
NB: The tales of Vikram and Vetaal/ Betaal is based on Betaal Pacchisi, written nearly 2,500 years ago by Mahakavi Somdev Bhatt. These are spellbinding stories told to the wise King Vikramaditya by the wily ghost Betaal.
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