Story of the week - The Fleet-Footed Princess

October 25, 2003

Story of the week

Saturday, October 25, 2003

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The Fleet-Footed Princess

Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful and charming princess in

Greece. She was not only beautiful but also adept in shooting,

hunting and running. In fact, she had earned the title of "the fleet-

footed princess." Many handsome and heroic princes desired to win

her heart and hand. So, the princess hit upon a clever plan. She

announced that she would marry the young man who would beat her in a

foot race. Hundreds of young warriors came to race with her but she

always out-ran them.

At last one young hero was bent upon outrunning her. He sought the

advice of a wise man. He explained to him about the fleet-footed

princess and her challenge. He also expressed his regret over the

fact that many young warriors were being put to shame by the

princess.

The wise man said: "Don't worry, you take within your pocket several

shining pieces of jewellery and gems. As you run, go on dropping one

piece after another on the racing track at strategic points."

On the day fixed for the race, the young man equipped himself with

fine pieces of jewellery. The young man and the princess started

running. Both of them were good runners. Whenever the princess was

on the point of outstripping him, the young man would softly drop a

dazzling piece of jewellery. The princess spontaneously stopped to

pick up the lovely piece of jewelllery that was after all on the

racing track. She was confident that inspite of the halts she would

be able to outrun her rival. These brief but frequent halts made him

reach the goal ahead of her. Thus the young man won the race as well

as the heart and the hand of the princess. Why did the fleet footed

princess lose this time? It is all because of her love for

jewellery. Love of lucre always makes man weak and prevents him from

realising his real goal in life. If we want success in life, we have

to give up attachment and be prepared to sacrifice what we have as

the young man did.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 43

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