Princess Sohanna and the Rose

Princess Sohanna and the Rose

BY:Khan

Long ago, in the ancient land of Yemen, there lived a kind and noble king. He ruled his kingdom with justice and compassion, ensuring that his people never suffered injustice. The king had four daughters, each unique in her own way. Among them was the youngest, Princess Sohanna, who was gifted with extraordinary beauty and a heart full of kindness.

Her unmatched beauty, however, became the cause of envy for her elder sisters. While Sohanna remained gentle and humble, the other princesses often looked at her with jealousy. Still, she never complained, choosing instead to treat her sisters with love and respect.

One day, the king had to travel abroad on an important matter of state. Before leaving, he gathered his daughters and asked them what gifts they would like him to bring back. The eldest princess requested fine jewels, the second asked for delicate fabrics embroidered with gold, and the third demanded perfumes from distant lands.

When it was Sohanna’s turn, the king looked at her with affection and said,
“My beloved daughter, tell me, what would you like as a gift?”

Sohanna bowed her head shyly and replied,
“Father, I only wish for a simple rose, fresh and fragrant, as a reminder of your love.”

The king was touched by her humble request.

Now, the king was a forgetful man. During his journey, he busied himself with affairs of the kingdom and shopping for his daughters’ requests. When it was finally time to return home, he realized he had forgotten all the items—except for a single rose he had plucked from a garden. He returned to his kingdom carrying only that flower.

At the palace gates, the princesses eagerly awaited him. Seeing that he had brought no jewels, no fabrics, and no perfumes, they were furious. They accused their father of neglect and disobedience. In their anger, they refused to welcome him properly.

Only Princess Sohanna, heartbroken at her sisters’ harsh words, withdrew silently to her chamber. She wept softly, not for herself, but for the pain her father must have felt. The king, distressed by the ungratefulness of his elder daughters, entered Sohanna’s room and placed the rose gently in her hands.

“My child,” he said kindly, “the most precious treasure in this world is not jewels or riches—it is the service and respect of parents. You have reminded me of this truth.”

Time passed, and once again the king had to travel abroad. This time, the elder princesses repeated their demands for expensive gifts. Sohanna, however, said nothing. She remembered the last incident and did not want to risk hurting her father’s heart again.

The king set out on his journey, determined not to forget this time. He bought fine jewels, silks, and perfumes for his daughters. On his way back, he had to pass through a dense forest. There, in the thick of the trees, he noticed a large bat perched on a branch. To his horror, the bat suddenly transformed into a fearsome giant. It was, in fact, a wicked jinn who had taken the form of the creature.

With a booming voice, the jinn declared,
“You cannot leave this forest alive. These treasures belong to me!”

Before the king could react, the jinn seized him and held him captive.

Unbeknownst to the jinn, a brave young prince had been traveling nearby. The prince witnessed the entire scene. With courage burning in his heart, he unsheathed his sharp sword and leapt forward. With one mighty strike, he cut through the jinn’s neck. The monstrous creature collapsed lifeless to the ground.

The prince freed the king and accompanied him safely back to the palace. When they arrived, the king gathered his daughters and told them the entire story. The elder princesses, deeply ashamed of their past behavior, fell at their father’s feet and begged for forgiveness.

The king forgave them with a gentle heart, but his pride and admiration for Sohanna grew even stronger. She had never asked for more than his love, never spoken a harsh word, and never sought to hurt him. That day, the king embraced all four of his daughters, but in his heart, he silently thanked God for blessing him with a child like Sohanna.

From then on, harmony returned to the palace. The sisters learned to live together in peace, and the bond between father and daughters grew stronger than ever.

And so, dear children, remember this lesson: true blessings come from unity and respect within the family. Wealth and riches may fade, but the love and service of parents last forever. Be like Princess Sohanna—grateful, humble, and always mindful not to speak or act in ways that wound the hearts of your parents. For those who honor their parents are honored by the world and blessed by heaven.