In a kingdom nestled among high mountains, lived King Dharmam and his daughter, Princess Nila. Nila was as bright as the morning sun, but she had a cold heart. She believed that because she was royalty, everyone else was beneath her notice. She often ignored the kindness of the palace servants and the gentle animals in the woods.
King Dharmam tried to teach her wisdom. "Nila, true nobility is found in how we treat those who can do nothing for us," he would say. One afternoon, the King gave Nila a beautiful, glowing blue gemstone to play with in the royal gardens. While she was tossing it into the air, the stone slipped from her hands and splashed into the deep garden pond.
Nila began to cry, realizing how precious the gift was. Suddenly, a small green frog hopped onto a lily pad near her. "Why are your eyes filled with tears, Princess?" the frog asked softly.
Nila explained her loss and begged the frog to help her retrieve the stone. The frog looked at her and said, "I can dive deep and find your treasure. But in return, you must make a promise. For the next three days, you must share your meals with me at your table and let me rest in your palace."
Desperate to get her stone back, Nila agreed without thinking twice. The frog dove into the murky water, searched the bottom, and emerged with the blue gemstone. As soon as the stone was in her hand, Nila turned and ran back to the palace, leaving the little frog behind.
The next morning, as the King was having breakfast, the frog appeared at the palace gates, weeping. It told the King how the Princess had promised to be its companion but had run away. The King looked sternly at Nila. "A royal's word is their bond, Nila. To break a promise is to lose one's honor. You must fulfill what you promised."
Reluctantly, Nila began to honor her word. She served the frog food from her own plate and allowed it to stay near her. On the third night, the frog slept peacefully near her bed. When the sun rose on the fourth morning, a miracle occurred! The frog was gone, and in its place stood a handsome young prince.
"Nila," the Prince said, "I was under a spell that turned me into this creature. Though you tried to forget your promise, you chose to keep it because of your father's guidance. Your honesty has broken the spell."
Nila realized that her kindness and integrity were far more valuable than any gemstone. She apologized for her pride, and she and the Prince lived happily ever after.
Moral
Keeping your promises and respecting others brings true happiness and honor.
