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.
'The prosperous city of Mithila was ruled over by a good king named Rupsen. He was kind at heart & loved by his subjects.'
'In his kingdom there lived a man named Virvar who was a well known body builder and honest man. Virvar's dream was to serve as a royal bodyguard.'
'After taking rigorous training he heard that the king was looking for a personal bodyguard. He showcased his skills and the king was easily impressed. However, much to the chagrin of the king's treasurer, Virvar requested that he be paid a huge amount of nine gold coins every day. Believing in the quality he had seen, king Rupsen agreed.'
'Virvar's family used to live in dire poverty. Yet with new found wealth they did not lose their head. They decided to share the daily wage with people who were not so lucky. They donated to students and farmer's in need of money. They also donated to those living without shelter. The royal bodyguard worked with utmost sincerity.'
'One day, when the king was woken up by the loud wails of a woman. Virvar was sent to investigate.'
'The woman, Virvar learnt, was none other than the goddess of wealth, Raj Lakshmi, herself. On enquiring as to why she was fretful, the goddess claimed that an ancient devil has woken up in a cave in the border of the kingdom and the demon's intention was to quench his hunger by eating the king of the empire he wakes up in.'
'Virvar decided to investigate and found it to be true. He approached the demon, but knew even he was no match for a fight. On pleading with the devil, it told him that it's hunger from centuries had to be compensated with either one family from the kingdom or the king himself.'
'A distressed Virvar told his plight to his family, who readily agreed to ensure Virvar's promise (of saving the king at all cost) was not broken. They decided to a supreme self sacrifice - to a horrific death! King Rupsen was aghast when he came to know about what had happened and tried to stop Virvar and his family.'
'Alas, he was late. By the time he reached the entrance to the fiery cave, he saw Virvar and his family throwing themselves into the demon's mouth.'
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.
'Ashamed that the family sacrificed themselves to save his life and feeling remorseful at being unable to save the life of his subjects. In fact, he argued with the devil stating to somehow not kill them and instead take himself - for the devil was his death'
'However, the devil was unyielding. The good king felt morally responsible for the death of Virvar and his family. He took the decision instantaneously and sacrificed himself by entering the devil's mouth.'
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, whose sacrifice was more dearer and more virtuous? The bodyguard and his family who decided to protect his king or the king, who threw himself into the devil's mouth? 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. "It was the duty of the guard to protect his master. The family, although not directly related to saving the king's life were doing their duty to saving their king as well has protecting the honour of their family head. However, the king who had all the comfort of life, could have very well lived on many years in luxury and could have arranged for more bodyguards; he was dear to his entire kingdom. Yet he ignored all that & his heart wrenched to even see his subjects perish. He was indeed the person whose sacrifice was more dearer and more virtuous." 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.
"Wait! You must not leave me perplexed and with so many questions in my mind. Tell me, before you go, as to what became of the king and his bodyguard & family?" Vikram demanded trying to hold on to the cadaver. Its cursed raspy voice went on to complete the tale.
"All this was only maya! It was all a game by the goddess of wealth. Her duty was to ensure that the king's finance was being used fruitfully. Knowing that Virvar was being paid a hefty amount, she intended to check whether the bodyguard was truly deserving his wealth. The demon was not real as well. The king & his bodyguard were, in fact, united and remained close friends to the very end!"
The cadaver slipped like the last time. It screamed back "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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