Updated version on portfolio.
There had been talk about a "Raja Kumari" travelling to city after city, helping people in need wherever necessary. This Raja was gradually becoming known throughout the country. One day, Raja Kumari arrived in Nila city and saw an old woman weeping about the death of her sons. She explained how they were killed by a pack of giants who come to the city once a week to take a sort of tribute from them. Each week the giants would take something else - a house, a buffalo, a villager, loaves of bread, etc. By now, the giants had taken six of the woman's seven sons. She was terrified that they would take her last son away from her. Raja Kumari consoled the woman and reassured her that no harm would come to her only remaining son.
"But how?" The old woman asked. "The giants can pick whomever they want."
"I will go to the giants' dwelling myself and volunteer myself ," replied Raja Kumari.
The next day, Raja Kumari elegantly adorned in heavy armor with a shining sword, went to visit the giants. As the horse approached the giants' cave, the guards became alert. They questioned why the stranger had arrived in their land, not believing that this was Raja Kumari. With a quick slash of a sharp sword, Raja Kumari sliced off the arm of one of the giants. Terrified and taken aback, they rushed inside the cave to alert the other giants. The ground suddenly trembled with their hurried footsteps, and dust from the ground rose up in their midst. When the air cleared, the giants were surprised to see the new arrival to their land, for it was a woman.
"Come forth, for I am Raja Kumari, born enemy of the giants!"
Silence. Then, laughter. The giants were both surprised and amused.
"You can't be Raja Kumari, young lady," one of the giants finally stated. "Raja Kumari is a mighty soldier, known for defeating his enemies in every city he crosses! You look like the many villagers and kids I have eaten."
Raja Kumari said nothing, but instead brandished her sword and took aim at the giant who spoke to her in such a condescending manner. With a single movement of her right arm, she was able to pierce the giant's heart and kill him immediately.
The remaining giants now began to fear the girl, yet continued to deny the identity of Raja Kumari.
"We have eaten so many children that look just like you! You cannot be the Raja Kumari that the giants have come to fear so much. When the real Raja Kumari comes, his sword will pierce seven girdles placed one behind the other."
The giants haughtily assembled seven iron girdles one behind the other, then stood behind them as if it were a shield. Raja Kumari spun her sword above her head, and when she let go of it, it effortlessly pierced all seven girdles, as well as the giants.
"And that is what you get when you underestimate a woman's ability," said Raja Kumari, as she picked up her bloody sword from the ground.
The onlooking giants fled. They took refuge in a nearby cave, hoping that the mighty Raja Kumari would not venture into its dark corners to seek them out. Correct they were, as Raja Kumari resorted to having a statue made in her likeness to stand guard over its entrance.The giants were not a problem for the Nila City furthermore.
This is the story of how Raja Kumari Defeated the Giants.
Author's Note: I kept most of the details from the original story, but changed it to reflect a female perspective. In the Hindi language, Rajakumari means "princess." I decided to keep this name because it could also mean there was a Raja (king) named Kumari, which is the reason nobody knew that Raja Kumari was actually a woman. I kept the main plot details, such as the old woman losing her sons to giants, the Raja volunteering to take the last son's place, and the giants not believing that the person in front of them will soon kill them. I also kept some of the same dialogue because I enjoyed that part in the original story.
Mulan from the TV show, Once Upon a Time. Source
Bibliography: Flora Annie Steel, Tales of the Punjab, Source
