The Contest

Emperor Akbar looks in awe at the painting of the splendid palace garden that is held up before him, as the storyteller, painter of ideas, draws another picture in the minds of his audience.

Malik Argus had the most splendid garden in the world. It was paradise. Rose buds and pomegranates shining like rubies, decorated the bushes. Th e pebbles in the stream sparkled like turquoise jewels. Th e fl owers smelled so sweet, that when a breeze ruffl ed their petals, the whole city was perfumed. In a corner of this garden stood a majestic chinar tree, blazing with copper and amber-coloured leaves. Th e tree looked as if it was on fi re.

Th e people of Takaw thronged to the royal garden. Th e air was full of excitement as the palace drums rolled and the trumpets blared. Two arrow-shots away, a pavilion had been erected for the King Malik Argus and his guest, the giant Zumurrud Shah. Everyone took their places. Th e contest was about to begin.

Th e past champion, Mahlaj Khan, galloped into the garden on his handsome horse and boasted, “I can lift the heaviest weights in the world. Let me prove my strength. I will win again this year!”

A camel strapped with heavy sand bags on its back was brought before him. Th e champion stabbed the camel with a long spear.

Th e spear went right through the animal and came out on the other side. Th en he lifted the camel with one arm and tossed it over his shoulder. As the poor camel groaned in pain and died, Mahlaj Khan lifted his arms in victory.

For the second part of the contest, Mahlaj Khan charged on his horse and plunged his spear into the huge trunk of the chinar tree. Like a bolt of lightning, the spear split the massive tree in two and remained fi rmly embedded in the trunk. Zumurrud Shah put his fi nger on his lips, amazed at this show of strength.

Th e crowds cheered as King Argus, in a bright yellow jama, showered Mahlaj Khan with money. Th e coins fell all around Mahlaj Khan, like golden rain.

First published in India in 2007 by Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Distributed by Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 10B Vidyanagar Society Part I Usmanpura, Ahmedabad 380 014 India T: 91 79 2754 5390/91 • F: 2754 5392 E: mapin@mapinpub.com • www.mapinpub.com

Text © Mamta Dalal Mangaldas and Saker Mistri Images © as listed

All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-81-88204-84-7

Designed by Bhavika Shah Design assistance by Janki Sutaria and Gopal Limbad / Mapin Design Studio Edited by Anita Roy Copyedited by Ayesha Kagal Printed in India

“The story is a retelling but as gripping and entertaining as the original. ” —The Hindu

Mamta Dalal Mangaldas loves reading children’s books and understanding how children learn. She has conducted museum workshops to introduce art to children.

Saker Mistri is a Speech Pathologist and Museum Educator. She has spent 25 years living in the Middle East, Europe, South East Asia and the US where she has developed museum programmes for children and contributed to travel and art publications.

CHILDREN’S BOOK

The Kidnapping of Amir Hamza

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56 pages, 42 illustrations 8.5 x 11” (216 x 280 mm), hc & hc-plc ISBN: 978-81-88204-84-7 (Mapin) hc-plc ISBN: 978-0-944142-86-8 (Grantha), hc ₹395 | $16.95 | £11.95 ₹295 hc-plc 2007

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