Then he asked Sonakshi, the younger one. He expected a great answer from her for she was very dear to him and she also loved him a lot. “So, little darling, how much you love me?”

Sonakshi replied, “I love you a lot my father. You are as dear to me as much as the salt is dear to the soup.”

The King became angry. “How dare you compare me to salt?”

“In my view, salt is more important than sugar.” said Sonakshi.

“No, you are a very ungrateful child. You have no regard for the love I have showered on you. I don't want to see you again, ever in my life.” The King asked his men to throw her out of the palace. The princess kept crying but the King did not hear her pleas.

Sonakshi was thrown out of the palace. She left her father's kingdom and went to the neighboring kingdom. There, she worked in the palace as a cook. She told the palace maids about her being a princess. One day, the King of that kingdom was passing by the palace kitchen. He saw the lovely princess Sonakshi. He already knew that she was a princess as he had heard the palace maids' gossip. He was pleased to see her beauty and gentle nature. He thought that she would be a suitable wife for his son. He arranged for their marriage and Sonakshi began to live happily with the Prince. However, she would often think of her father and enquired about his health whenever the Prince went to the neighboring kingdom for some business.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi also grew up into a smart woman and looked after her father. She began to help him in running the kingdom and was always sweet to him. The King was now old. So, gradually he handed over the entire work of administration of the Kingdom into Meenakshi's hands. As soon as, Meenakshi got the entire kingdom under her, she changed her attitude and threw the old King out of the palace.

The King was shattered. He wandered across the kingdom looking for food and shelter. As he was roaming the streets, he met a young man who introduced himself as the prince of the neighboring kingdom. He shared his story with him. The handsome prince offered to help. He took him to his home and asked his lovely wife to meet the stranger. He knew in his heart that his wife would be pleased.  Sonakshi recognized her father immediately though the King could not since he had not seen her in many years.

The prince asked her to cook a nice meal for them. As soon as they sat down for dinner, the old King was surprised to taste every dish. There was no salt in any of them. He could not stop himself from asking, “Do you people not eat salt?” The prince too looked questioningly at his wife, since he was also surprised.

Sonakshi said, “But King, as far as I remember, you do not think salt has any importance.”

The prince intervened, “Why do you say that? Salt is so important, without it all food is tasteless. One can do without sugar but not without salt. Salt is the soul of any food. Salt brings life to a food as a loyal servant enriches his master's pleasure by serving him.”

The King, listening to the entire conversation, looked at Sonakshi with depth. He recognized her. “Sonakshi, my daughter, is that you?”

Tears started flowing from the eyes, on both sides. Father and daughter embraced each other with love.

Moral:One must judge others by meaning behind their words.

Questions:

Q1. What did the King ask his daughters?

Q2. What did Meenakshi reply?

Q3. Why did the King got Sonakshi thrown out of the palace?

Q4. How did the King meet Sonakshi?

Glossary

Ungrateful    :  Not displaying gratitude

Shattered      :To cause or break into pieces or feel broken  emotionally

Intervened    : To involve oneself in a situation in order to alter, improve or hinder an action or development

Embraced     :  to hold closely to display affection