The Abduction of the Prince

Long ago, there lived a wise and kind king who ruled his country with justice and compassion. Because of his good governance, the people lived peaceful and prosperous lives. They worked honestly, and the kingdom continued to flourish. The king was brave, intelligent, and peace-loving, maintaining friendly relations with neighboring states.

The king had a young son, a cheerful prince barely two and a half years old. The child crawled happily through the palace halls, and the king ordered soft, expensive carpets to be spread everywhere so the prince would remain safe and comfortable.

In a neighboring land ruled a very different man. Once a minister, he had betrayed his own king, imprisoned him, and seized the throne. Greedy and obsessed with wealth, he looted nearby states and grew arrogant with success. When he noticed the prosperity of the neighboring peaceful kingdom, his greed intensified. Believing victory would be easy, he launched a surprise night attack.

However, he had underestimated the wise king. The royal army was well prepared and fought bravely, defeating the invader and capturing a large portion of his land. Celebrations spread across the kingdom, and the victorious king eagerly prepared to return home, longing to see his young son.

Humiliated by defeat, the wicked ruler devised a cruel plan. While the people celebrated, his agents kidnapped the little prince from the palace. Soon, chaos erupted. The queen was devastated, servants panicked, and the palace echoed with cries. The king’s joy turned into unbearable grief.

Moments later, an arrow struck a tree in the palace garden. Attached was a letter demanding the return of captured territory and five hundred thousand gold coins in exchange for the prince’s life. The king burned with anger but listened to his wise minister, who advised patience to ensure the prince’s safety.

The city chief, the Kotwal, had a brave and intelligent eighteen-year-old son named Dilawar. Determined to help, Dilawar investigated the palace servants. One nursemaid, Dil Ara, who was closest to the prince, had disappeared. Suspicion grew, though her husband claimed she had gone to the palace and never returned.

That night, Dilawar was entrusted with delivering the king’s letter. Traveling through forests and mountains, he crossed into enemy land. Resting briefly in a jungle, he overheard enemy soldiers discussing guard duties. Following them carefully, he discovered a guarded mansion where the prince was being held.

Using a heavy rainstorm as cover, Dilawar slipped inside. He found the prince sick with fever and Dil Ara beside him. She tearfully explained that a traitorous slave named Jaafar had betrayed palace secrets and that she had been forced to accompany the kidnappers to calm the child.

Together, they escaped through a small rear door. Riding through the storm, Dilawar safely returned the prince to the palace before dawn. The queen embraced her child in tears, and royal physicians immediately treated him.

Jaafar was arrested, and the king ordered his army to capture the wicked ruler. Soon, the traitor was brought before the court. The king condemned his cruelty, restored the rightful ruler to his throne, and handed the criminal over for punishment.

Dilawar was honored for his courage and appointed guardian of the palace. His bravery, loyalty, and wisdom saved the prince and restored justice to the kingdom.

This story teaches that wisdom, patience, and loyalty are stronger than greed and cruelty. True courage lies not only in fighting battles, but in protecting the innocent and standing for justice, even when danger is great.

True courage lies not only in fighting battles, but in protecting the innocent and standing for justice, even when danger is great.