📖 The Kingdom of Sabujpur: A Tale of Hunger, Courage, and Love
Author: Kriti Prosun Chowdhury
Long ago, at the foot of a remote mountain range in northern India, there lay a mystical kingdom called Sabujpur — "The Land of Eternal Green." Dense forests surrounded the land, sunlight danced through emerald leaves, and rivers sang their silver songs to the earth. The air was always fragrant with wildflowers, and the chirping of birds echoed like a never-ending symphony.
At the heart of this peaceful realm ruled King Amarendra, a man of wisdom, patience, and infinite kindness. He was not just a warrior; he was a protector of hearts and a friend to every citizen.
The palace was made of grey stone, yet vines and flowering creepers softened its walls with hues of violet, crimson, and white. From the windows, one could hear the gentle murmur of mountain streams and the distant rustle of the forest.
Despite the palace's grandeur, Amarendra preferred simplicity and humility. "A king remains a true king only as long as he can read the unspoken language in the eyes of his people," he often said.
Every day, when the sun was high in the sky, he would leave the palace in the guise of a simple farmer. No soldiers accompanied him; no trumpets heralded his steps. Dust on his sandals and humility in his heart, he walked toward the farthest villages.
He listened to the villagers' worries, helped them in the fields, and resolved disputes fairly. Once, he saw an elderly farmer struggling to pull a plough across hardened soil. Without hesitation, Amarendra grabbed the plough and helped him. The farmer, unaware of the king's identity, thanked him warmly.
On another occasion, two neighbors quarreled over their land boundaries. The king sat between them on the grass and patiently heard both sides. He offered a solution that left neither party feeling defeated.
Under the shade of banyan trees, he established small open-air schools for village children. Sometimes, he would sit among them and tell stories of bravery, honesty, and kindness.
One afternoon, he saw a poor widow stitching her torn quilt. She offered him a glass of water and said softly, "Son, our king is said to be a very good man. Have you ever seen him?"
The king smiled and replied, "Mother, he is closer to you than you think." She never realized she had spoken to the king himself.
Peace, however, does not last forever. A great drought struck Sabujpur, lasting two long years. Rivers dried into cracked stone beds, crops withered, and hunger pressed heavily on the people. The royal granaries began to empty, and fear spread like wildfire.
Ministers convened, whispering about invading neighboring kingdoms to seize food. Amarendra, calm and resolute, said, "Victory won through violence is temporary, but hearts won through love are eternal." He ordered that all granaries be opened to the people, rich and poor alike. He gave up lavish meals and ate only one simple meal a day.
Yet food alone could not solve the problem; water was scarce. The king took up a shovel himself and began digging new channels deep within the forest. Seeing their king working alongside them, even the idle villagers joined in. Men, women, and children labored together, united in hope. Days turned into weeks, and hope seemed fragile, yet no one stopped.
At last, beneath layers of rock and soil, they discovered a hidden spring. Clear, cold water burst forth like a blessing from the earth. Tears of relief flowed through the villagers as fields drank and rivers ran once more. Soon, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and rain fell, washing Sabujpur in life and green.
The people realized that their king did not rule from above, but stood beside them. Even in hardship, he shared their toil, their hunger, and their hope.
A mysterious boy arrived at the palace, barefoot and carrying a wooden flute. His parents had died in the drought, and he sought shelter and guidance. Amarendra took him in and taught him the values of compassion, loyalty, and wisdom. The boy grew into a trusted advisor, reminding the kingdom that kindness is a form of strength.
In the village of Nilgiri, a young healer named Anaya tended the sick and hungry. Amarendra noticed her courage and kindness, and in the quiet moments between crises, admiration turned into a deep, gentle love. Even in the darkest times, hearts could bloom.
Across the mountains, the jealous King Viraj of Rudravar plotted. Seeing Sabujpur thrive, he gathered his army, preparing for war. Amarendra, however, did not raise a sword. Instead, he sent envoys carrying food, medicine, and a letter of goodwill. "If your people suffer, we will help. A full stomach is stronger than a sharpened sword." Viraj, shamed by Amarendra's generosity, withdrew his army. Sabujpur was saved not by war, but by wisdom, mercy, and love.
As years passed, Amarendra aged, and his son, Prince Arivaan, grew strong yet impatient. "Father," he asked one evening, "if Rudravar had attacked, would love have stopped their arrows?"
Amarendra placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Arrows must sometimes be met with shields. But the first choice must always be love. Once blood is spilled, it cannot be gathered back." Prince Arivaan learned that true leadership is courage guided by compassion.
Even in his final days, Amarendra's heart remained with his people. Thousands came to see him daily, not out of duty, but out of love. When he breathed his last, there was no marble tomb. Instead, banyan trees were planted in every village, a living memory of a king who had protected his people like the shade of those mighty trees.
Now, if one stands quietly in the forests of Sabujpur, listening to the wind in the leaves, it carries a whisper: "A king who laid down his crown to live forever in the hearts of his people."
Amarendra's story — of hunger, courage, love, sacrifice, and unity — lives on in every heart, reminding generations that true strength comes from wisdom and compassion.
The End
writer : Kriti Prosun chowdhury Bangladesh
contact :01842788389