Long, long ago, in a kingdom in India, a play was being staged in the royal court. It was called, “The Princess of Kashi.”
The role of the Princess of Kashi was to be played by a little girl. Since there was no little girl in the palace, the queen thought that the prince, who was five at the time, could be dressed up as a girl and play that role.
It wasn’t a big role and all the prince had to do was to stand there. He looked so adorable as a princess that the queen ordered a painting to be made of him.
When the painting was done, the artist brushed in the words, “The Princess of Kashi” at the bottom and dated it.
After some years, the painting was taken down to the palace cellar and stored there. By now, the prince was a young man of 20. He was good looking, confident, smart, and was being trained in the affairs of the land.
One day, while wondering through the palace, he found a set of stairs leading to the cellar and decided to explore what was in there.
He chanced upon a painting of a little girl, dressed up in royal garb. Underneath was written, “The Princess of Kashi.”
Looking at the date, he realised that the princess would be the same age as he. She was so pretty that the prince fell in love with her! He decided he would marry no one but her.
Like any young man in love, he became dreamy and preoccupied with thoughts of the Princess of Kashi. He lost his focus on his princely activities and responsibilities.
The king and queen noticed the change in his mood and behaviour and were concerned. When they asked him what was wrong, he was too shy to tell them.
Finally, a kind old minister met the prince and asked him, “What’s wrong, son? Why are you not yourself these days?”
After gently assuring the prince that he would keep his secret, the minister was able to coax a reply out of the prince.
“I’m in love,” said the prince, bashfully.
“Oh, that’s great news,” said the minister. “Who is she? Where is she?”
“She’s the Princess of Kashi. I saw a painting of her in the royal cellar. The date of the painting shows that she would be 20 years old, just like me. I want to marry her.”
On hearing these words, the minister fell silent and started to think. He knew he had heard of the Princess of Kashi before but couldn’t remember where and when. So he asked, “Can you please show me this painting?”
The prince took him down to the royal cellar. When the minister saw the painting, he immediately recognised who the princess was.
Placing his hand on the prince’s shoulder, the kind-hearted minister looked him in the eye and said in a serious tone, “I have to tell you something. . .”
“What is it?” asked the prince, sensing that something was amiss.
“You can’t marry this girl,” said the minister.
“But why?” the prince asked, alarmed. “Is she already married? Is she. . .dead?”
The minister then told him the story of the play that was staged 15 years ago and how he, the prince was dressed up as a girl and made to play the role of the Princess of Kashi.
“Dear prince, you can’t marry her because you are the Princess of Kashi!”
The prince staggered back in shock and bewilderment as he heard the minister’s words.
On realising the truth that the Princess of Kashi didn’t exist, and that he himself was what he was yearning for, his desire for the princess melted away.