The King of Persia was loved by his people as the kingdom was prosperous and the King was kind and just. One day, a merchant came to his court, leading a slave girl whom he presented to the King. She was so beautiful that the King fell in love with her and decided to marry her and make her his Queen. He loved his wife dearly and gave her lavish gifts: robes of silk, jewels, gold and works of art. But he always found her sad, looking out of the window in her chamber at the sea. She never spoke to anyone, the attendants, the ministers and courtiers or even to the King! A year later, a son was born and the King’s happiness knew no bounds. He begged the Queen to speak to him and tell him why she was so unhappy and silent always.
The Queen’s Story
The Queen finally spoke, thanking the King for his kindness and gifts. She told him she loved him too now, but she was unhappy because she missed her family and kingdom. “I am Gulnar, the sister of Saleh, the King of the Sea,” said the Queen. Their country was conquered by an enemy and they were forced to hide. Saleh wanted her to marry the King of the Earth, so that she might be safe from the wicked people around them. But she did not wish to marry him and when she could not make Saleh understand, she quarrelled with him and ran away to the Island of the Moon. An evil man, seeing her beauty, kidnapped her and wished to marry her. However, she stubbornly refused to marry him. As a punishment, the evil man sold her as a slave to the merchant who had brought her to the court of the King of Persia.
Queen Gulnar became more cheerful after sharing her story with the King. She often spoke about the wonders of her brother’s kingdom–the fabulous palaces and the jewels. One day, the King said he would be glad to meet her brother and family. Gulnar was very happy and cast a magic spell into the fire in her chamber to summon her brother. King Saleh came with some of his relatives. She asked the King to watch from behind the curtains, till she had reassured her brother first, so that the two Kings might not quarrel. King Saleh was delighted to see her looking so happy after so long. He requested her to return to the Kingdom of the Sea with him. Then she called her husband and introduced him, telling her brother how well she was cared for and how much she loved her husband. The two Kings met each other with great courtesy and affection.
It was a day of great joy for the King and Queen of Persia. A feast was held in honour of the King of the Sea. The best moment was when the royal baby was brought to meet his maternal uncle! King Saleh was delighted to see his nephew Badar. Taking him up in his arms, he leapt out of the window into the sea. The King of Persia was horrified, but Queen Gulnar told him that Saleh had taken the baby to visit his mother’s old home and he would be very safe. The King waited anxiously and soon Saleh returned with Badar who was chuckling happily! But Saleh had come with many attendants, bearing rich gifts from his kingdom, emeralds, rubies and pearls, for his sister and the King of Persia. And there were special gifts for Badar too. The happiness of the King of Persia and Queen Gulnar was complete!
