The Perfect Partner

Long time ago, there lived a mighty ruler by the name King Raghavendra. He was well known for his sharp intellect, courage and quick wit. In his neighborhood, there was another kingdom which was reigned upon by an old but benevolent King Nripendra Raj. He had three daughters. As they were grown-up ladies now, King Nripendra was concerned about their marriage. On his minister's suggestion, he decided to send a marriage proposal to King Raghvendra who was considered as the most eligible match for the princesses by one and all. As King Nripendra had heard a lot about King Raghvendra's intelligence, he decided to make him undergo a test before marrying one of his daughters to him.

The next day, King Nripendra sent a marriage proposal to King Raghvendra. And along with that, he also sent three stone statues that were the exact replica of his daughters. King Raghvendra was handed over a letter from King Nripendra in which he had written that these statues resemble his daughters in every way. He should select a perfect partner for himself from among the three ladies only by scrutinizing the statues. And also, he must offer an explanation for his choice.

King Raghvendra realized that the old king was testing him. He smiled politely as a mark of acceptance of the challenge. He looked carefully at the three statues. All the ladies were equally beautiful and it was difficult for anyone to select one among the three. King Raghvendra was also confused for a while, but then, he noticed a hole in the ears of the statues. He asked his servants to pour acid in the ears of the statues. When acid was poured in the ear of the first statue, that was of his eldest daughter, the acid escaped out of its mouth, fell on the floor and spoiled it. When acid was poured in the ear of the second statue, it escaped out of its other ear. And in case of the third one, it went down to the heart of the statue, remained cuddled there for some time and finally mutilated the statue.

On seeing this, King Raghvendra smiled as he had found his perfect partner. He wrote a letter to King Nripendra and expressed his desire to marry Princess Nupurmani. And to explain the reason behind his choice he wrote -

"Oh Great King Nripendra, I had understood why you had made holes in the statues. You knew your daughters well and were aware of how they would be reacting to accusations and criticisms. On being criticized, your elder daughter used to spit out the anguish that was brought upon her on others, causing further anguish to everyone close to her. Your youngest daughter harbored all the pain and anguish in her heart and ended up hurting herself. But Princess Nupurmani is an intelligent lady. She heard criticisms through one ear and let it out through the other and hence saved herself and everyone else from the ill-effects of negativity and criticisms. She is the one who is going to make a perfect partner for me."

When King Nripendra read this letter, he was overwhelmed. He happily gave away his daughter to the man whom she really deserved. Hence, King Raghvendra married Princess Nupurmani in one of the grandest wedding ceremonies that King Nripendra's people had ever witnessed.