Author: Richard Wilson
Illustrator: Frank Pape
Year: 1914
- The king is goes out to hunt antelope. As he is about to shoot one with an arrow, two hermits step into the way. I could tell a story where the hermits step out too late and one is killed or wounded by the arrow, leading to a curse on the king.
- The king and Sakuntala get married in the forest while her foster-father is away. When he comes back, he gets her ready to go live with him in his palace. I could retell the story where he is not please that the king marries his daughter while he is not there or without asking his permission, leading to a curse on the king.
- A fawn who Sakuntala had taken care of since the death of its mother tried to prevent her from leaving, making Sakuntala rethink her decision. I could tell a story where she takes the fawn with her and perhaps one of the forest fairies. I could also tell a story where she tries to bring all the creatures of the forest that she had cared for to the palace of the king, eventually ending in him realizing that she belongs to the forest and that they can't be together...or that he would have to give up everything that he has to move to the forest and live like a hermit in order for it to work between them.
- Sakuntala goes to the palace and presents herself to the king who has no recollection of the marriage. I could tell a story where prior to this event, something happens to him that causes him to lose his memory, such a falling and hitting his head, or later being diagnosed with amnesia or another disease that affects memory.
- A fisherman finds the ring that the king gave to Sakuntala in the belly of the fish and goes to the city to sell it when he is captured by officers of the kingdom. I could tell the story of the man coming upon the ring and perhaps an adventure he had with the ring in his possession.
- The charioteer of Indra is sent to the king and asks for his help destroying giants that have been causing issues. The king does this at once, and on the way back, they stop to pay homage to a holy site. Here they come upon maidens and a young boy who the king feels much affection for, who happens to be his son. He also finds Sakuntala there. I could tell this part of the story much more in depth than what it was told.
Dushyanta and Sakuntala
Image Author: vintage prints
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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