This Indian Folk tale story is collected from the book, named “Indian Fairy Tales”. This book is edited by Joseph Jacob, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, London in 1910. This story book holds 29 Indian folk tale stories.
At last a Fakir came along and he said to the King, "Man, why are you lying here?"
The King replied, "Fakir, a thousand men have come and passed by; you pass on too."
But the Fakir said, "Who are you, man?"
The King replied, "I am a King, Fakir. Of goods and gold I have no lack, but I have lived long and have no children. So I have come here, and have laid me down at the cross-roads. My sins and offenses have been very many, so I have come and am lying here that men may pass over me, and perchance my sins may be forgiven me, and God may be merciful and I may have a son."
"Whatever you ask, Fakir," answered the King. The Fakir said, "Of goods and gold I have no lack, but I will say a prayer for you, and you will have two sons; one of those sons will be mine."
Then he took out two sweetmeats and gave them to the King and he said, "King, take these two sweetmeats and give them to your wives; give them to the wives you love best."
The King took the sweetmeats and put them in his pocket very carefully.
Then the Fakir said, "King, in a year I will return, and one of the two sons who will be born to you, one is mine and one yours."
The King said, "Well, I agree."
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| The Prince and the Fakir |
The Prince and the Fakir
- An Indian Folk tales
Once upon a time, there was a King who had no children. Now this King went and laid him down to rest at a place where four roads met, so that every one who passed had to step over him.
At last a Fakir came along and he said to the King, "Man, why are you lying here?"
The King replied, "Fakir, a thousand men have come and passed by; you pass on too."
But the Fakir said, "Who are you, man?"
The King replied, "I am a King, Fakir. Of goods and gold I have no lack, but I have lived long and have no children. So I have come here, and have laid me down at the cross-roads. My sins and offenses have been very many, so I have come and am lying here that men may pass over me, and perchance my sins may be forgiven me, and God may be merciful and I may have a son."
The Fakir answered him, "Oh King! If you have children, what will you give me?"
"Whatever you ask, Fakir," answered the King. The Fakir said, "Of goods and gold I have no lack, but I will say a prayer for you, and you will have two sons; one of those sons will be mine."
Then he took out two sweetmeats and gave them to the King and he said, "King, take these two sweetmeats and give them to your wives; give them to the wives you love best."
The King took the sweetmeats and put them in his pocket very carefully.
Then the Fakir said, "King, in a year I will return, and one of the two sons who will be born to you, one is mine and one yours."
The King said, "Well, I agree."
