Princess Kundavai took the palm-leaf letter that Vandiyathevan extended to her and read it. Until then, her face, which had been drawn tight with furrowed brows, now blossomed and shone with radiance.

She looked up at Vallavaraiyan and asked, “You have delivered the letter. What do you intend to do next?”

“My duty is done once I have handed over the letter to you. Now, I must return to my town.”

“Your work is not finished; it has only just begun!”

“I do not understand what you mean, Devi!”

“Does not the prince write here that you are worthy of being entrusted with even the most secret of tasks? Will you not act accordingly?”

“I came here having agreed to that with the prince. But I beg you, do not entrust any important task to me. I earnestly request this of you.”

“I do not understand your request. Is it the way of the Vanar clan to withdraw after once giving their word?”

“To boast of ancient glory is not the Vanar tradition; nor is it our way to go back on our word after agreeing to something.”

“Then why this hesitation? Is it some aversion you bear towards women? Or is it that you do not like me?” asked the princess, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Ah! What a question is this? Would the sea ever not desire the moon? If it did not, why would it stretch out its thousand arms of waves, leaping to clasp the full moon? Who would say the earth does not long for the blue sky? If it did not, why would it gaze all night with a thousand thousand starry eyes, brimming with yearning? Would the cloud not desire the lightning? If it did not, why would it split itself and fiercely embrace the lightning, pressing it to its breast? Is there such a thing as a bee not loving the flower? If so, why would it ceaselessly circle the flower, intoxicated, and fall upon it? Would anyone believe that the moth does not love the lamp? If so, why does it whirl around the lamp’s... Does it die when it falls into the light? Devi! You have asked a fine question! If I do not like you, then why does the glance from the corner of your eye leave me so bewildered? Why does the gentle smile that plays at the edge of your lips drive me to such a state of delirium?… All these thoughts arose in Vandiyathevan’s heart. Yet, he could not utter them aloud.

“Sir! You have not answered my question. Is the brave man born of the Vanar clan hesitant to carry out the bidding of a mere woman? When the prince gave you this letter, did he not tell you what was written in it?” the princess asked again.

“Devi! I set out fully understanding the prince’s wishes. But now it seems fortunate that I did not begin my journey at once. Along the