Topic Research: Raja Rasalu

 

("Bow and Arrow;" Web Source:  Pixabay )

 

 I really am interested in creating a storybook on Raja Rasalu from Flora Annie Steel's Tales of the Punjab. 

The first story that really stood out to me is The King and His Two Queens. Raja, the king, had two wives. One had a son and the other did not. This story discusses envy as the one without a son attempted to rid the son of the other wife. He survives and answers people's prayers. The wife asked him for a son, and he promised her a son that would make her cry as much as his own mother cried because of this woman. 

The second story that I enjoyed was How Raja Rasalu was Born. His parents were not allowed to look at their son for twelve years. However, he leaves on his twelfth year. He is naughty, but the king cannot do anything because he cannot look at his son. Raja Rasalu doesn't understand why his parents turn their backs on him. 

The last story I enjoyed and think would go along the other two is how Raja Rasalu killed the giants. A woman said that all of her sons except one were killed by the giants. Raja Rasalu was brave and ended up killing the giants. He initially just cut off one's arm. Seven giants tried to challenge him and scare him, and he ended up killing them all with his bow and arrow. One was alive, the giantess, but he made sure that she died due to starvation.