Folk Stories on Magic | The Story of Witty Radha

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer called Murli. Murli’s life revolved around his wife, Radha.

He loved her and worked hard to give her a decent life. 


Radha was a modest girl who never complained to Murli about anything. Together, they celebrated every small moment. They never desired to live luxuriously. All they wished for was a happy life.

Every morning, Murli used to get flowers to make a gajra (flower hair accessory) for Radha. This morning was no different. Radha was cooking a flower meal as she eagerly awaited Murli’s arrival. 

Suddenly, the room was filled with an unusual fragrance, and Radha knew flowers were there.

Murli immediately sat on the mat and started making gajra with those flowers. Radha looked impatiently like a child. Her wait to get hold of gajra always amused Murli.

‘My gajra is here. Where do you get these exclusive flowers for me?’ asked Radha.

‘There is a small river in the jungle. It is magical. Anything I put in that water becomes fragrant. I buy these flowers for you from the village and then go to the river, splash some river water on these flowers,’ answered Murli.

‘How do you know about that river?’ asked Radha.

‘An astrologer used to stay there. I served him very faithfully for two years. He told him about the magic in that river,’ said Murli. 
She wore the gajra and thanked Murli for it. Happily, they ate their breakfast. Murli went to his farms, while Radha went to the weekly village fair.

When she reached the village fair, most ladies complimented her for her fragrant gajra. Queen Damini was making purchases from the village fair. She, too, noticed the unusual fragrance of Radha’s gajra. Delighted, Radha came back home. 

Queen Damini, too, reached the royal palace and told King Veer about the unusual fragrance of Radha’s gajra. She demanded that King Veer gift her a gajra made from the fragrant flowers. 

King Veer reached Murli’s hut. Surprised, Murli and Radha welcomed King Veer and offered him fruits. Their hospitality touched King Veer. He, too, noticed the unusual fragrance of Radha’s gajra and asked Murli about them.

Murli didn’t want to reveal the truth and promptly said, ‘I got these flowers from a local shop.’

‘How come they are so fragrant?’ asked King Veer.

‘When my wife touches any flower. It becomes fragrant,’ said Murli in haste.

Murli’s reply made King Veer very angry. He ordered his soldier to arrest Murli. He said Radha should come to the royal court the next morning and make the ordinary flowers fragrant.

Radha understood Murli’s intention behind lying to King Veer. She knew Murli lied to protect their small happiness. That night, she couldn’t sleep. 

The next morning, Radha went to the river and stored some magical water in a small bottle. She then reached the royal court and was presented with some ordinary flowers. 

Radha sneakily sprinkled magic water on her hand, and she touched the flowers. Flowers became fragrant. King Veer realized his mistake and freed Murli. 

Murli and Radha lived happily ever after.

Moral of the story- Life is about owing your happy moments.

Happy reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.