The Mighty King And The Family
The Mighty King And The Family
This is a story of at least 100 years ago, where it's not a digital era neither the attitude of women and men towards women wasn't the same.
Savitri is a very lady of chastity, who never chooses to disobey her husband or in-laws whatever may be the situation and how unfair his behavior towards her have been. Like God favors the people with honesty and sincerity, she has been taken good care of and shared affection with her in-laws, as they never had this attitude of domination.
Savitri's husband Venkat is so egoistic in nature that he never listens to anyone including his parents, and his attitude hasn't changed even after marriage or after becoming a father.
It so happened one day that, while he is off the town, there had been a passer-by who was crossing Venkat's house, and, unable to bear the hot sun, he just had come to the portico area of Venkat's house and had sat there. Savitri, who was doing some cleaning work, after feeding her kids and in-laws, had seen this passer-by and opened the door. In a dilemma whether to speak or not, she stood there for a while. Observing her situation, the passer by himself, had turned his head towards her and asked, "Amma! Do you wish to speak/say something?"
Gulping the little drops of water in her mouth, and with a little tone, she asked, "Who are you? And do you need any help?"
With a genuine smile in his face, he introduced himself, my name is "Chakraborty", and I have to go to my relatives place in the next village. But since it is hot sun, I felt little dizziness and wished to save myself from the headache and the sun, so, seeing this roof to the outside of your home, I have placed myself here until the sun passes. Would you mind me staying here?
To this, Savitri, at first place, with humanity, had felt there's nothing for obsession but immediately, her husband's possessive nature and narrow mind, had ran inside and called her father in law to seek his judgement and decision as she had felt sending out the needy is inhumane. Hearing her call him, her father in law had come out of his room, rubbing his eyes as he'd got out from sleep. and Savitri's mother in law had followed her husband, and has come out of the room. But they've ensured that they came out silent, without disturbing the kids who were also sleeping. Her Father In Law, Sri Sastry has asked Savitri gently, the reason for calling him out. She had told him the matter and showed the passerby, from the window in the hall through which she had viewed him at first. Realizing the matter, Sri Sastry had gone out to check the issue, and examined him just with his eyes. Chakraborty had got up in respect to this elderly man and had introduced himself, stating he's suffering from mild sickness and unable to continue journey to the village next to this current place, his destination, he said he had planned to make take a break from journey and make a stay under some shelter in the hot sun. With his experience, Sri Sastry has been able to judge that the guy isn't of any harm, and invited him to have shelter and rest in his home, rather than staying outside under the hot sun. Though the guy had refused initially, owing to the elderly man's invite, he had accepted and went it. He also noticed the elderly man speaking about the robbery happening in the surroundings over the past few days, and hence, for his own safety, he said he would agree to join them in their house. Sri Sastry is aware that his son wouldn't return till next morning, and even if he returns, and shouts, he has prepared himself to face the consequences, but his wife has been praying to the Lord and was talking to Sri Sastry that her son shouldn't return till next morning until the visitor leaves, and was wiping her tears and sweat on face with her Saree. Observing their conversation, the visitor had behaved as if he's not focusing on their internal/family matters, and had introduced himself as a person living in the capital of their kingdom. He also had told them that he wouldn't take any help from any others for free, and that he'd definitely do them favor in return. In the evening, when the children had woke up, Chakraborty had introduced himself to them as their friend and a magician, and had made some fun with them, and had offered them some snacks which he's been carrying with him. Though all the elders felt a bit feared because they can't trust strangers and can't accept food offered by them, and adding to it, robbery has been going around by gangsters, in this case, they've felt Chakraborty genuine as his face had some glow and his behavior, wording everything clearly shows he's gracious and kind enough but not a bandit. They've served him hot dinner that night and offered him to sleep in their guest room, but denying their service, he mentioned that he'd sleep in the hall. Unable to press him more, and fearing about their son and upcoming happenings the next day, they all left to sleep. But Savitri has been awaken all night, as usual because she's feared of her husband, and has been wandering in her room, and often doing some floral work to pass time, . Chakraborty had observed this but remained as if he is not bothered of anything. Sometime around in the midnight, he had flew out hearing some sound outside, but he remained cautious enough to put bolt outside the door. As soon as he caught signals from his pal's gestures, he started shooting arrows towards the bandits. After about half hour of a little size battle, they've hit all the bandits and caught hold of them, and ensured no one is left. The army people, who had caught hold of the bandits, have come and reported to Chakrabotry, and have left from there on Chakraborty's Order. Sri Sastry, who woke up to the sounds and has been watching all these from behind windows, was shocked to know that he has given shelter to none other than the King of their Kingdom, and with mixed emotions of happiness, and fear, as to if they've made any mistakes towards him unknowingly,
has silently gone to his wife and woke her up, asking her to follow him to the hall. He had also called Savitri into the hall, to let them know the matter.
Here, on the other hand, Chakraborty has been greeted by his minister and it's time for Chakraborty to leave back, as per the plan, as per the bandits have been caught. It is to catch this bandits, that they've been moving around the kingdom over the past few days, as catching these cunning people isn't too easy and that they don't want more people to be affected by these bandits. But Chakraborty had mentioned the minister to make a move from there accompanying the army, and should the king himself needed help, just two army people would be sufficient for that. So, mentioning to retain two army personnel, Chakraborty had instructed the minister to make a move, and the minister had obeyed it.
By the time Savitri and her elders gathered in hall, Chakraborty had entered the room and saw all these people in the room. As a king, within seconds he can gain an understanding over the situation, and so did he now, that the people have understood that He is the King. Thanking them for their kind shelter and warm gestures, he had offered them some property of land and gold and had assured that he would announce the same before all the courtiers the next day, as a token of gratitude to the favor they've did in the attempt of catching bandits. Saying this, he asked all the 3 people to go to their rooms and have sleep for the rest of the night.
The next day, in parallel with the dawn, Venkat has come to wake them up but instead of the people from his own family, he was enraged to see someone else opening the door, and started shouting at the guy, without any knowledge that he is a visitor or the king. Feared of the consequences, Savitri has come running into the hall, and the kids ran to their grandparents. The King, Chakraborty, without second thought, had caught hold of him and sighed his army personnel to put him in prison, for harassing his own family. Savitri tied persuading Chakraborty to leave off her husband, and had fallen on the king's feet for savior. Chakraborty was astonished by this, because he had expected the family to be happy if they're freed from this ruthless guy, which they themselves were not able to do because they're helpless. But somehow, he didn't choose to set a person free, who has been harassing and cruel to his own family. So, he took all of them to his court, so that he can fulfill his promise of announcement of properties, and also get his minister's advice on what to do next with this guy.
After reaching the court, first the minister had ensured that all of them are given bit time to get relaxed and to feed the hunger of the kids and the rest. Then, before all, the minister had given announcement to the King's thoughts that, since Sastry had helped them by giving shelter when they're in the attempt of saving kingdom, the King would be giving him a home in the kingdom itself, so close to the palace and that his grandchildren would be offered free education until they grow old, and till then, since Savitri herself had good tailoring and floral skills, would be offered a job in the Queen's court itself, to feed her family. They've also announced that Venkat would be put to prison and be given the same treatment he has given to his family all these days, until he changes. Sastry has wiped tears in his eyes for, the Almighty had given a good life to his family at least after all these torments, though his wife had cried for her son, he had said that they should bear this consequence for spoiling a women's life by getting such nasty son of theirs to such an innocent and committed lady. He also said that they now no longer need to worry of their grandchildren's future, as the King himself had paved a way for the same. But Savitri didn't remain silent. She begged the King and the minister to let go off her husband and set him free, for which she said she is even ready to loose all the boons she has been given now. She said, whatever she obtained, she wish to share it with her entire family, and not even a single person from their unit should be separated, and just like a Kingdom, even for family, "Integrity" is most important than anything else. The entire court remained silent, and not only the King and the minister but even Venkat was astonished to see this reaction of hers, despite he tormenting her and the kids all the time. Sri Sastry had tried to convince his daughter-in-law, showing her the fear that again she and her kids will be beaten up by him if Venkat returns. Savitri said, she's ready to go to any extent for her family, which completely had melted Venkat and made him fall down on the feet of Savitri, before all, and it appeared as if he had kept away his ego. Savitri at once had bent down and lifted up her husband and begged for his pardon, as she didn't do any of this intended but just that things have happened this way. Venkat, cutting her words in the middle, said in a tone of guilt, that, it's he who has committed all the mistakes despite living on family while the favor she did to others without expecting in return had helped her in turn, and had given a good life to their children. But the minister, interrupting both of them, had said that, Venkat would be allowed to go with his family but will be kept under monitoring by their spies continuously and if they observe something odd from his behavior, this time, without any excuse, he would be put behind the bars, as the King or the ministry won't spare someone committing a mistake. They also ensured that all the boons they've now assured, would remain as is, for the elders, Savitri and the kids, but for Venkat, he has to search for an earning on his own and has to retain it, to feed himself and keep his family happy, to which, Venkat had agreed without second thought or any more egos.
Just as the ending goes, "And they lived thereafter happily".