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

King Yayati had many loyal ministers in his kingdom, and He was very grateful to all of them. But his favorite Minister was Veer. Minister Veer and King Yayati studied in the same gurukul, and 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 to save their kingdom. Sometimes, he would order Minister Veer to go alone on these missions. Minister Veer was very brave. These missions never frightened 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 site was covered with dense forests. He went inside the forest for three days with an Adivasi group. He was touched by 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 was still travelling from the North to the South side of the kingdom. It had been a month since he left the royal palace upon receiving the King’s order. Finally, he arrived on the outskirts of the south side. He saw a huge mountain, assumed nothing was beyond that, and started leaving. It started raining. He and his horse took shelter under a huge tree. He and his horse witnessed something very magical. With each water droplet, the land transformed into an enchanted garden. 

Flowers were talking with each other, birds were singing and dancing, and trees generously offered 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 wrote a detailed report on 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 the 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 he had tried to arrest for a long time. 

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!

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