King Yayati’s witty Minister, Veer | Folktale of India

King Yayati’s had many loyal ministers in his kingdom. King Yayati was very grateful to all of them. But his favorite Minister was Veer. Minister Veer and King Yayati studied in the same gurukul and since then their friendship grew from strength to strength. 



Minister Veer’s loyalty was well known in the kingdom. King Yayati often asked Minister Veer to accompany him on confidential and dangerous missions like fighting with malevolent forces and save their kingdom. Sometimes he used to order Minister Veer to go alone on these missions. Minister Veer was very brave. These missions never feared him. In fact, he enjoyed them and loved saving his kingdom from enemies. 

One day King Yayati ordered Minister Veer to go check lands on the outskirts of his kingdom and submit a report to him. Minister Veer first headed to the north. This side was covered with dense forests. He went inside the forest and stayed there for three days with an Adivasi group. He was touched with their hospitality and enjoyed his stay. He made a detailed report of their requirements. Once the report was finished, he looked up in the air and made a peculiar sound. Soon the pigeon arrived.

He clutched the report in the string on his neck.
‘Go my dear friend pigeon, give this to King Yayati,’ said Minister Veer. 

King Yayati read it carefully. Minister Veer mentioned the humble Adivasi group and their requirements- clothes, food, education etc. King Yayati ordered his royal servants to make the arrangements. The Adivasi group was very happy to receive food, clothes etc. King Yayati took them under his care. Soon this story became very famous. 

Minister Veer who was in still traveling from North to South side of the kingdom. It had been a month since he left the royal palace on receiving King’s order. Finally, he arrived on the outskirts of the south side. He saw a huge mountain, he assumed nothing was beyond that and started leaving back. It started raining. He and his horse took shelter under a huge tree. He and his horse witnessed something very magical. With each droplet of water falling, the land was transforming into a magical garden. 

Flowers were talking with each other, birds were singing and dancing, trees were generously offering fruits to birds. Minister Veer looked at it very mesmerized and entered the garden. He saw a lake, he went near it, he put his hands into it, to drink it, along with water came a handful of diamonds, the second time to put his hand into it, came a handful of pearls along with water. He was mesmerized. 

He made a detailed report of his experience. Once the report was finished, he looked up in the air and made a peculiar sound. Soon the pigeon arrived.

He clutched the report in the string on his neck. 

‘Go my dear friend pigeon, give this to King Yayati,’ said Minister Veer. 

King Yayati read it carefully. Soon the news of mysterious land and lake started spreading. It reached the ears of goons, they reached the south of the kingdom. Minister Veer who was still there caught several wanted goons, whom he wanted to arrest since long. 

Minister Veer revealed that there was no mysterious land or lake, he made the story to attract and catch goons.

Minister Veer was praised for his bravery and wit.

Moral of the story- Not every story is a true story.

Happy reading!

About the writer: 

Nisha B Thakur is the author of a Murder Mystery | The Unexpected Trail read at https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BB88QHM5