“Why do you look so sad, princess?” asked Karna.

“I am not sad, merely thoughtful” she replied smiling softly.

“Ah, dear one you are sad – I know you too well – what is missing in your life that you never smile fully?”

“I am not unhappy”

“Look around you. Feel the wonderful river breeze. See the coconut fronds waving. Feel the grass beneath your feet. Enjoy the picture you make with your gleaming dark hair and creamy skin – there is only joy if you but accept it.”

“You are the wisest philosopher I know. I am lucky to have you in my life”

“No princess, I am the one who’s lucky. I never knew the content of a sated appetite. I never knew the peace of being loved. I don’t have to face the merciless sun and be paraded at festivals with not a drop of water for hours and hear the ear-splittingly loud music and fireworks or be whipped and tied in chains. You rescued me. I am forever in your debt”

“You are my friend. There is no debt.”

“Then tell me, my friend, why the sadness?”

“I have done nothing important in my life. I am afraid of dying like a nobody. I have long dreamed of leaving an imprint on this world but look at me – three decades old and nothing achieved!”

“You have children you delivered in pain and raised with love.”

“I am no good with children. I love them but cannot be softer. I want my son to be perfect but he is flawed so they say”

“Your son is perfect – all beings are – accept the truth and him and a burden will fall off your shoulders”

“I am too hard on him”

“Then stop being so – you have compassion – use it.”

“I love my daughter more – that is wrong.”

“She is easier to love but they deserve love equally. You are too fair to be partial. You are just afraid that you will love the one too easily and the other one only with effort.”

“I have not created wealth.”

“Your husband would not be where he is today without you. Never forget that and how can the task of being a mother be quantified and turned into numbers? You demean motherhood itself”

Her eyes filled. She bowed her head in agreement, patted his trunk and smiled through her tears.

“Thank you Karna – your wisdom brings me joy.”

“No princess – I am merely reminding you of what you already know”

“Why do you call me princess? I am not of royal blood”

“You are nobler than you know. I recognize a princess when I see one.”

She laughed merrily at that and left happy reveling in the promise of this new day.