The mouse and his daughter

Many years ago there lived an old mouse called Eluka. His house was on the bank of the river Jhelum. Eluka lived with his beautiful little doughter, Anika. Every day she grew more beautiful. Her father was quite amazed at her beauty.One day Eluka walked along the bank of the river. After some time he lay down on the green and looked up into the sky. He was worried. He had to find a husband for his doughter. Where am I going to find a handsome husband for Anika?' he thought. The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky above. Suddenly Eluka jumped up. He pointed to the sun and shouted with delight. There is a groom fit for my pretty girl!' Eluka ran all the way home. He did not waste any time. He packed his small bag and set off at once for the sun's palace. At last Eluka arrived at the sun's palace. Everything shone like gold. The sun was very surprised to see the small, old mouse. What do you want old mouse?' asked the sun. 'O sun!' said Eluka, in a squeaky voice, 'You are strong and you are very handsome. Please will you take my daughter to be your wife. The sun did not want to marry a mouse. Oh dear me!' he said. He did not want to upset the old mouse, so he smiled and said, 'My friend, I am not strong. Look at those clouds over there. I cannot shine when they pass over me. They are much stronger. Why don't you ask them.The unhappy mouse picked up his bag and left the palace. He went to the clouds. One cloud was big and white. Eluka went up to the cloud and asked. 'Oh big, white cloud! You are big and strong, and handsome too. Will you mary me beautiful daughter. Small mouse, ' thundered the cloud, I may be strong and handsome. But I am not as strong as the North Wind. You should see what I look like when he is angry! He blows me all over the land and the sea. He makes me black and I look frightening. Try the North Wind, my friend. Now Eluka was very sad. He wen home. If the North Wind sees me beautiful doughter, he will surely marry her,' he thought. But the North Wind lived a long way off, high up in the snowy mountains. Eluka took Anika with him and went him to see the North Wind. After a long journey the two mice arrived at the home of the North Wind. Will you marry me beautiful daughter, O mighty wind? he begged. The North Wind howled. Don't think I am strong and mighty, he said, Come with me and I will show you someone who is much stronger than I am. The North Wind howled even louder. With a WHOOSH picked up the tow small mice and carried them close to their own home. very gently and carefully the North Wind put the two mice down next to a tall tower. The tower was old. The North Wind said to Eluka, 'Look at that tower. It has been standing there for a hundred years. I blow and blow, but it still won't tumble down. I am not as strong as the tower. Ask the tower to marry your daughter.' The North Wind blew away. Eluka and Anika walked sadly towards the tower.

Come on my dear.' said Eluka. 'Our house is not far from here. If the tower says no, we will go home.' Eluka asked the tower to marry Anika. The tower  creaked and groaned. I am old and ugly,' he said. ' Next year I will surely fall down. The mice that live in my walls are eating me up. They are strong. L will be happy if your daughter marries one of them.' Eluka and Anika entered the tower. They met the mice who lived in the towe. Mr and Mrs Tower Mouse invited them into their home for a cup of tea. Anika met their son, Inoki. He was handsome and brave. Soon a grand wedding was arranged, Anika married Inoki, and they lived happily together for many years. Old Eluka lived with them. He spent many happy hours playing with his grandchildren.