The Tale of Som and Mangal: Guardians of King Jaisingh

As Vikram bore Betal on his back, he began to recount another enchanting story. In the prosperous kingdom of Jaisingh, there lived two exceptionally gifted brothers named Som and Mangal. Som was renowned for his extraordinary eyesight, able to perceive the minutest details from great distances, while Mangal possessed an acute sense of smell, able to detect scents that others could not even fathom. Their remarkable abilities earned them the esteemed position of royal guards under King Jaisingh.

One fateful day, the neighboring king extended an invitation to King Jaisingh to visit his realm. Sensing potential danger during the visit, Jaisingh decided to take the talented brothers along for protection. The evening was filled with lavish feasting and merriment, culminating in a sumptuous dinner. 

Later that night, after the festivities, King Jaisingh was shown to his lavishly decorated bedroom, where he prepared for rest. As he settled onto his opulent bed, Som’s sharp eyes noticed something unusual—a thorn embedded in the sheets. Alerted by his brother’s discovery, Mangal leaned closer and, using his keen sense of smell, identified the thorn as poisonous. He warned the king that had he slept on it, the consequences would have been dire—potentially fatal.

Intrigued, Betal turned to Vikram and posed a question: “Which brother do you believe was more talented?” Without hesitation, Vikram replied, “Som was the more talented brother, for it was his keen eyesight that detected the thorn and ultimately saved the king’s life.” 

Betal nodded in approval, exclaiming, “That is indeed the right answer!” With that, he soared into the night sky, leaving Vikram to ponder the wisdom of the tale.