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Chapter 7 STORY OF NEM-RAJUL
ONE evening after dinner Abhaybhai told Ajay and Neela a story.
Many years ago there was a handsome young prince called Nemikumar. He was to be married to a beautiful princess called Rajul.
On his wedding day Nemikumar led the procession of his family and friends, and his princely retinue, towards Princess Rajul's palace.
Everybody was in a festive mood. There was music in the air. The Prince was sitting calmly in his chariot, which his charioteer was driving
Suddenly Prince Nemikumar heard animal noises which got louder as they got nearer. They soon saw where the noises were coming from.
Prince Nemikumar asked the procession to stop and listen. Hundreds of animals and birds were packed tightly in cages. There were fishes in large tanks. The animals seemed frightened and restless. Their eyes were pleading.
The Prince asked his friends why these animals and birds were captured. He was told they were for his wedding feast.
The Prince, who was very kind and sensitive, was saddened by this. The frightened sheep seemed to say, "We will be slaughtered for this prince's feast." A beautiful deer had his eyes full of tears, as if he were pleading "I don't want to be killed, I want to go back to the forest and roam free."
Beautiful green parrots were flying here and there in their cages trying to find a way out. A wise bull seemed to be saying, "These men are cruel. They cry when their children die, but how can they kill our children? Why can't they eat only plants and fruits, as we do? How can they claim to be superior to us when they kill us all the time?"
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