Once upon a time, nestled in the verdant plains of Odisha, there was a humble village. In this village, there lived a poor, but virtuous, intelligent, and beautiful girl named Manjuri. Manjuri lived with her mother, and despite their poverty, their house was filled with love and warmth.
Life was a daily struggle, yet Manjuri’s brilliance often brought rays of hope. She had a sharp mind and a quick wit, and her stories and solutions to everyday problems were popular in the village.
News of Manjuri’s intelligence spread far and wide, eventually reaching the royal court of the king. Intrigued, the king and his minister decided to test Manjuri’s wit. They thought they could outsmart her with their challenging riddles and complex questions.
One day, the king sent a Kotia, a small pitcher with a puzzling message, “Fill this pitcher in such a way that it is neither full nor empty.” The villagers were baffled, and all eyes turned to Manjuri. With a calm smile, she took the pitcher, placed a betel nut inside it, and then filled it with water. She explained, “Now, the pitcher is neither empty because of the water, nor full because there is still space around the betel nut.”
Hearing this, the villagers cheered, but the news of Manjuri’s answer did not please the king. Determined to stump her, the king sent another challenge, “Come to the palace, but without coming.” Once again, Manjuri had an ingenious solution. She sent her mother to the palace carrying her portrait, explaining that in this way, she had come to the palace without actually coming.
The king, although slightly irked, was impressed by Manjuri’s intelligence and decided to make one last attempt to outsmart her. He invited Manjuri and her mother to a feast at the palace but served them food without salt. The king then asked them how they found the meal. Manjuri, understanding the king’s ploy, responded, “The food is as tasteless as a ceremony without music.”
The king burst into laughter, acknowledging Manjuri’s wit and wisdom. In the end, not only did the king honor Manjuri for her intelligence, but he also offered her the position of the queen, recognising that a wise queen could help him rule wisely.
And so, Manjuri, the poor but intelligent girl from a small village, became the queen. Her wisdom, combined with her compassionate rule, led the kingdom to an era of prosperity and happiness. The tale of Kotia Manjuri became a legend, celebrated for generations, reminding everyone that wisdom and wit can come from the most unexpected places.
