TextCopyright©2025RadhikaRajeshRaikar
IllustrationsCopyright©2025PavaniKaushik
Cover&InteriorDesigner:RadhikaRajeshRaikar
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ISBN:978-1-937675-54-7
PublishedintheUnitedStatesby: LekhaPublishersLLC.
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“Well...well...well... do I have a story to tell...,” crooned Mother Earth with glee seated beneath the Parijata tree. She whispered with an air of suspense, “It is the secret that birthed your delightful scents!”
The blooms gathered around Mother Earth had always wondered about their birth. Soaking in the glorious sunlight, they nodded their heads with sheer delight! Juhi giggled and clapped her hands. Padma’s eyes began to dance. Champak laughed and bounced in place, excitement shining all over his face.
(Chorus)
“Oh yes! Oh yes! Oh, please do tell! We love secrets! We’ll listen well!”
Breathing in Pari blooms’ fragrant smell, with a twinkle in her eyes, Mother Earth began to tell…
“High… High… way up in the sky where the enchanting fairies fly, in a castle fashioned by a mystical aura, lived King Nimbus and the lovely Queen Flora. Fog and mist spun hazy shrouds, which the wind whipped up into fluffy clouds.
The castle seemed like numinous cloud-trees, guarded by the ever watchful royal bees!”
Inspired by the castle’s mystical vapors, Queen Flora opened her bag of favors.
Bestowing seeds with magical powers, she sprouted blossoms of vibrant flowers!
The blooms were charming, their colors bright! Yet, there was something not quite right.
“OH MY!” said Flora, “That did not go well! These look so pretty, but they have NO SMELL!”
“Sad that her magic did not succeed, she craved for a way
to fulfill her need.
In the cool radiance of a moonlit night, she wished upon a star with all her might.
It was as if her wish took wing to soar past the milky Moon and sing in a voice so clear across an inky sky into the heart of a star twinkling high!”
“Soon they were blessed, the King and Queen, with a gift of nature unforeseen.
Lustrous as a pearl in its womb and endowed with a distinct perfum
“Princess Pari was born!!”
“Her ethereal gift, her sweet fragrance, soaked the air with its magnificence.
The King and Queen were wondrous witnesses to the magical prowess of their lovely princess!”
“Pure and loving in spirit was she, and shared her gift generously! Blossoms swooned with her every caress, filling up with special scents to impress!
Some sweet, some strong, some soothing, some light. The myriad scents were a bouquet of delight.
Blissfully breathing in frenzied fragrances buzzing bees burst into drunken dances. The world turned fragrant! All was well!
And soon, the fairies came to dwell.”
“And then…,” paused Mother Earth. Her merry eyes shone, dancing with mirth. Malati quivered; she could barely sit still. Ketak protested, loud and shrill!
(Chorus)
“And then? And what? Oh! Please do hurry! Let’s get onnnnn with Princess Pari!”
“Pari blossomed bright and bold, her soul full of grace and a heart of gold! Her magic spread far and wide like a colorful flowery fragrant tide!!”
“Now, who should whiz across the skies one day on his fast, fiery chariot in dazzling display?!”
(Chorus)
“Who?? Who was it?
Oh! Who could it be?! A bird! No–a dragon! Oh, would you tell us pleeeeeze?!”
Looking up at the sky... Mother Earth sighed. Her eyes sparkled; her smile beguiled.
“Why?! T’was Prince Sun, of course! Ruler of the skies and all of life’s source!”
“He spied the fairies and the bees dancing in abandon with Princess Pari. Enchanted, he paused to take in the sight, dazzled by her beauty shining bright!
Caught in the midst of her frolic and fun, Pari’s lively eyes alighted upon Sun. His warm brilliance filled her with rapture, her heart found the bliss her eyes sought to capture. And in that moment, time stood still as two pairs of eyes drank in their fill. Not a word was uttered, nor a greeting spoken lest the bewitching spell be broken.”
“Ohwow!”saidChameli, hervoiceahush caughtinthefog oflove’sfirstblush. GulandGulab chitterandchatter, “Dotheylive happilyeverafter?”
“Alas!” said Mother Earth, “He could not stay, although he yearned to that fateful day. He rode on, the Prince of luminescence, for the world would perish in his absence!”
“Pari’s gentle heart firmly fixed on Sun was entranced with love and overrun.
Bursting bright in her devotion, she sought to express her adoration!
Gathering the fairies and the bees, she spun her magic upon the breeze.
Lo! And behold! What should appear?! Blossoms as radiant as her love so dear. Standing tall like glowing towers were the most amazing sunflowers!”
Seeds enchanted with a whispered spell took flight and flew to dip and swell!
(Chorus)
“Did he come see them? Tell us he came! If he did not, it's such a shame!”
“If only ...” Mother Earth said, sadly shaking her head, “As much as we cherish our hearts’ desire, there are duties to which we must aspire!
Prince Sun was bound by Nature’s command, to travel the breadth of the skies so grand! East to west he blazed a trail… a royal duty it did entail!
Sun witnessed her vivid tribute. His light dimmed with his greying mood. Sadness spread across the sky darkening as the days went by. He yearned to join her in song and dance, and share his happy love-filled trance! Duty was fulfilled with a heavy heart for every moment they spent apart!
Pari watched him and felt his pain, while her gift of fragrance began to wane. For when the heart is so dejected, gifts of nature are then rejected.
The flowers wilted, their colors paled, a mood of growing grief prevailed. Birds and bees forgot their song sensing something was wrong.”
Angels and fairies saddened by this tragic scene, tried to cheer and console.
“We know love set your hearts on fire. Sadness follows unfulfilled desire. Sometimes life does not fare well. Such pitfalls no one can foretell. So, today you are in sorrow. But, you must look to tomorrow.”
King and Queen shared words of wisdom to show they cared.
“
Do
not lose your gifts and live in pain. Find new purpose and be happy again!” “Wise words spoken with quiet calm heal hearts as might a gentle balm. Prince Sun took comfort, so did Pari. The truth was plain for both to see!”
(Chorus)
“Please, oh please! Do make them smile... if only for a little while.”
“Oh yes! They did!
A happy fact!
They smiled, took courage, and made a pact!”
(Chorus)
“A pact. A pact?! What d’you make of that?”
“When one loves another strong and deep every wish becomes a promise to keep.
A pact is your word freely given knowing you strive to fulfill your vision.”
“As Princess Pari lifted her face, his light held her in a warm embrace. A fragrant tear slipped free to glow, as a dewy dazzling rainbow!”
Sun said, “Gifts so special can truly shine, when united as yours and mine. Finding love is to find a reason to shape life’s purpose in unison!”
Pari agreed, “Spirits shaped by joy instead of sorrow can forever help us celebrate tomorrow!"
“
Stronger and wiser in heart and mind, eager to fulfill her duty in kind, Pari’s seeking eyes came to rest, on a sad scene at the end of her quest.”
(Chorus)
“What
did she find? What did she see?!”
Mother Earth smiled,
“She found me!
But, not as you see.”
“My body-once a verdant Eden lay defeated, weak, and beaten. The pursuit of mankind’s excess resulting in my painful distress! Dry and desolate, wasting away... despair holding my spirit at bay.
Hazy memories of fertile times clouded my murky wasted climes. Joy forgotten; all hope was lost. My time was done, or so I thought. Death and decay seemed foregone, until that moment at the break of dawn.
When gazing upon my dreary pallor, she saw a harsh lifeless world devoid of color. Spurred into action by this sorry state, Pari declared, “I must make haste! Now is the moment for me to act, and uphold the spirit of our pact!
To bring hope and set Earth free, I resolve to end this tyranny!”
And so, declaring her noble intent, Pari embarked upon her descent. Bravely venturing to fulfill her duty, and spreading a message of joy and beauty.”
“The King and Queen were filled with pride! Her selfless act helped them decide to bind together in her act of love. They too descended from the skies above.
The fairies followed, as did the bees. The birds flew down upon the breeze singing a cheery chorus of rebirth, as they helped restore my mirth!
Pari’s loving heart spilled happy tears. The air filled with joyous cheers! Her courage shone for all to see. I began to green and felt so free!”
“
“I Came Alive!” said Mother Earth…
With their magic sweet and strong, I awoke from my slumber long. Bright and bountiful, richly clad, feeling blessed, gratefully glad. My spirit restored, fresh and verdant, my soul full of love, now resplendent!”
“Bursting with hope and joy so strong, I then remembered my heart’s song!”
(Chorus)
“Sing it! Sing it!! Can we join in please?
Let’s thank Sun and our darling Pari!”
“
Let me tell the rest my dears! If only you would lend your ears! For this is
a beginning, not an end. True love’s magic will transcend!”
“Settling her spirit into my fertile clay, Pari transformed without delay! Taking root and greening fast, Parijata tree was born at last! As the light fades in twilight’s sway... until the dawning of each new day, the Parijata blooms in sweet splendor filling the air with fragrant grandeur!
Its blooms are pure and pearly white. Like Pari’s soul, they shine bright! Their fiery stalks glow with Sun’s light, as he settles for the night!
Morning brings Sun’s gentle rays trailing cool fingers of misty haze.
Delicate flowers covering the ground are a testament to their love abound!
In the quiet dew-filled dawn, listen to their lilting song! They speak of a love set aglow within the promise of a rainbow!”
Together soon… my love, someday!
