Prince Badam saves an eagle from a poisonous snake using his archery skills. The next year, the grateful eagle returns with seeds from an unknown fruit. The seeds are planted and grow into a tree bearing dark juicy fruit that oozes juice. The juice is tested on a prisoner first and found to taste wonderful. This is how grapes were discovered in the kingdom of Heerat, thanks to the brave actions of Prince Badam and the repayment by the grateful eagle.

1. Short
story -
The
Birth of
grapes.
May 4
This is a famous story about how the grape was discovered with the
help of a brave prince Badam and a grateful eagle in the kingdom of
Heerat
Edited by
Amartya
Prakash

2. SHORT STORIES
1. The Birth of the Grape
any years ago, the kingdom of Heerat was ruled by a powerful Sultan who had
one son –Prince Badam. The prince was handsome, brave and had a special
talent.
“My son is the best archer in the whole world!’’ the Sultan boasted and
everyone agreed.
One day, the Sultan decided to go to a big, beautiful fruit garden to relax with friends and
family.
The party reached the garden and the Sultan decided to rest. Suddenly, a huge eagle landed
near the Sultan’s feet.
The Sultan pulled out his sword and the soldiers came running.
“Stop!” the Sultan ordered, “Look! There is a poisonous snake wrapped around the eagle’s
neck.”
Everybody looked in amazement at the eagle and found that the Sultan was right. The eagle
was looking at the Sultan with sad eyes as if to say, “Free me!”
The Sultan was filled with sudden sadness.
“Who amongst you can free this poor bird?” he asked his men.
“I shall do it father, please allow me,” Badam stood up immediately, bow and arrow in the
hand.
“Permission granted’’, said a pleaded Sultan. Badam took careful aim and let the arrow fly.
The snake rolled over dead and the eagle was free.
The eagle spread his wings wide as if to express his gratitude and made a screeching noise
as if to say, “Thank you! I shall never forget you!” then the bird circle over the head of the
prince and the Sultan once and flew away.
A year passed by the sultan and his party visited the same garden again. The Sultan was
about to rest when the same eagle landed at his feet, dropped something from its beak and
then flew away.
“What are these” the sultan said as he looked at the seed of some unknown fruit.
“This is the same eagle you saved a year back,” the Sultan called out to Badam. It looks like
it is trying to repay your good deed.”
But what are those seeds?” Badam asked.
Let these seeds be planted immediately.” The Sultan ordered and the seeds were planted in
the garden. Soon a tree was born which was full of dark juicy fruit.
M

3. “The fruit is shedding juice,” the gardener informed the Sultan.
“Preserve the juice in a container,” the sultan ordered
“How does it taste?” the sultan asked.
But no one dared to drink the juice of an unknown fruit lest it be poisoned.
“Let us feed the juice to a prisoner who is facing a death sentence,” the minister suggested.
Then we shall know if the juice is poisoned or not without any harm done.”
The juice was fed to a prisoner who made a face after having the first sip. His face lit up as
he sipped for the second time. At the third sip, he started singing happily.
The Sultan drank the juice himself. “This tastes heavenly!” he exclaimed.
This was how grape was born. Thanks to a grateful eagle and a brave prince!