Chapter:1
Long ago, beyond the silver rivers and emerald hills, there was a prosperous kingdom called Suryanagar. The land was fertile, the markets were lively, and the people were kind and hardworking. But over this beautiful kingdom ruled a man named King Rudravar.
In his early years, Rudravar had been a just ruler. He listened to his ministers, helped the poor, and protected the weak. But as time passed, power began to change him. The praise of courtiers filled his ears. The fear in people's eyes pleased him. Slowly, kindness left his heart, and pride took its place.
One day, standing on his grand balcony, he declared,
"I am the greatest power in this kingdom. No one shall worship any force higher than me."
From that day onward, everything changed.
Chapter:2 The Ban on Worship.
The king issued strict orders:
No large gatherings in temples.
No public prayers without royal permission.
No festivals celebrated without approval from the palace.
Soldiers marched through villages, closing temples and warning priests. The sound of bells grew silent. Lamps that once glowed at dusk remained unlit.
People were afraid. Many whispered their prayers in secret. Some hid their sacred books beneath their floors. Others stopped worshipping altogether out of fear.
The king believed he had won.
Chapter:3 A Brave Girl Named Pooja.
In a small village on the edge of the kingdom lived a twelve-year-old girl named Pooja. She was gentle but strong-willed. Her father was a humble temple caretaker, and her mother gathered flowers every morning for prayer.
One evening, royal soldiers stormed into their village. They sealed the temple doors and arrested Pooja's father for defying the king's order.
Pooja ran after them, tears streaming down her face.
"Why are you taking him?" she cried.
"For breaking the king's command," a soldier replied coldly.
That night, Pooja asked her mother,
"Did we do something wrong by praying?"
Her mother held her close and whispered,
"No, my child. Faith is never wrong. Fear is."
Those words stayed in Pooja's heart.
Chapter 4: The King's Growing Pride.
Meanwhile, King Rudravar sat upon his golden throne, satisfied.
"Now they will remember who rules this land," he said with a smirk.
His old minister, Somdev, spoke carefully,
"Your Majesty, faith gives people strength. Taking it away may bring unrest."
The king's eyes flashed with anger.
"Are you questioning my authority?"
Somdev bowed immediately. "Never, my king."
But deep inside, the minister feared what was coming.
Chapter. 5: The Secret Gathering.
One moonless night, Pooja gathered a few trusted villagers in her small courtyard. No bright lights, no loud chants—just a single clay lamp and silent prayers.
"We may not have the temple," Pooja said softly, "but no one can close our hearts."
They prayed quietly. The air felt heavy yet peaceful.
Suddenly, dark clouds gathered. Thunder roared across the sky. A powerful storm struck the kingdom, and lightning hit near the royal palace, cracking one of its towers.
Inside his chamber, the king trembled.
Chapter. 6: The Dream.
That night, Rudravar had a strange dream.
A bright figure stood before him and said,
"You fear what you cannot control. You silence worship because you are afraid of losing power."
"I fear nothing!" the king shouted.
The figure replied,
"If that is true, why do prayers trouble you?"
The king awoke in a sweat.
The next morning brought troubling news: crops were failing, rivers were shrinking, and unrest was spreading across villages. People murmured that the kingdom was suffering because of injustice.
For the first time, doubt crept into the king's heart.
Chapter. 7: Pooja Faces the King.
Determined to save her father and her people, Pooja decided to confront the king.
Villagers tried to stop her.
"He is cruel," they warned.
"He will punish you."
But Pooja replied,
"If no one speaks the truth, cruelty will never end."
She walked to the palace gates. The guards laughed at the sight of a small girl demanding to see the king. But her courage intrigued them, and word reached the throne room.
King Rudravar ordered her to be brought in.
Standing before the mighty ruler, Pooja felt fear—but she did not let it control her.
"What do you want, child?" the king asked sternly.
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Your Majesty," she said calmly, "are you afraid of us?"
The king was stunned. "Afraid? I fear no one!"
"Then why are you afraid of our prayers?" she asked gently. "If you are truly powerful, how can faith weaken you?"
The court fell silent.
The question struck deeper than any sword.
Chapter. 8: The Turning Point.
For the first time, King Rudravar had no answer.
He realized that he had indeed been afraid—not of rebellion, but of losing control. He had mistaken authority for greatness and fear for respect.
Looking at the fearless child before him, he saw something he had long lost: purity.
That evening, he issued a new royal decree:
Temples would reopen.
Festivals could be celebrated freely.
No one would be punished for worship.
Pooja's father was released from prison. Bells rang once more across the kingdom. Lamps were lit in every home.
Chapter. 9: A Changed King.
Over time, Rudravar became a different ruler. He listened more and commanded less. He understood that true power comes not from fear, but from justice.
As for Pooja, she became a symbol of courage. People told her story for generations.
And the kingdom learned a lesson it would never forget:
Power may silence voices for a while,
but truth and faith always find a way to shine.