6-year-old Rukmini was playing in the royal garden with her friends when a peacock feather fell at her feet. The little girl gently picked up the feather and held it in her hand. Then she turned to her royal maid and asked innocently, "Vanaja aayi why I always get a peacock feather whenever I come to this royal garden. This is the 50th feather I have got."

"Daughter who doesn't love the princess of this land. Even the peacocks love you and that's why they are shedding the feather for you," replied the maid but Rukmini didn't feel satisfied with the answer and again persisted.

"But then Vanaja aayi doesn't peacocks love my friends Tara and Indumayi. It's not fair right."

"Vanaja is the princess troubling you a lot," asked king Bhishmaka walking in and taking charge of his daughter.

"No king. How can be the princess a trouble for me. She is a darling. Children of this age ask so many questions and its fun," replied the maid bowing to the king. The king mentioned he would love to spent some time with his daughter and the maid retreated with other girls. As Bhishmaka sat under the Peepal tree in the garden Rukmini immediately jumped to his lap. The king caressed her hair lovingly. Rukmini had lost her mother when she was barely three. Since then, Vanaja was in charge of her. The girl missed her mother and the king couldn't devote enough time to her.

"Father reply to me," king's chain of thoughts was broken by Rukmini's persistent query. Smiling he replied that the peacock loved everyone but when it shed its feather in affection, only she saw it. Before Rukmini could ask another question, a footman came and mentioned to the king that as requested by the king the chief minister had arranged for a music performance that day night. The musicians have arrived and he wanted to know when the performance can begin.

The king replied in another hour he will be in entertainment hall with the princes and the princess. The footman bowed and went. King told his daughter to go to Vanaja and get ready to see the performance. He will be waiting for her in the entertainment hall. The girl nodded and rushed to the room of her caretaker.

Rukmini sat beside her father as the flute performance started in the hall. As the music of the flute floated in the atmosphere the girl lost herself in it and when it stopped, she got up and clapped hard. The musicians looked at the smiling princess and thanked her. It was then Rukmini realized where she was and what she had done. She immediately moved back. But Bhishmaka took his daughter's hand and stood up and the entire assembly stood up.

"Dear performers. Your music was mesmerizing. The biggest proof is my daughter's acknowledgement. Rukmini has fine sense in art and music from infancy. Since my daughter is so pleased, I would love to reward you each with hundred gold coins."

Performers thanked the king and one of them mentioned if the princess was so enthralled by their performance what will she do when she hears the music from the original player. They were only playing the music as taught by him.

The king asked who was the original player of the music and the musicians replied it was a cowherd boy named Krishna. He was the son of Nandagopal and Yashoda and lived in Vraj. As the musicians left after receiving their reward little Rukmini asked her father can they have Krishna perform in their palace.

Bhishmaka replied he can't ask that boy to come to his palace. He resided in another kingdom and that kingdom was ruled by Kamsa. The king also mentioned usually cowherd boys never played flute to entertain anyone, they played it to manage their cows. Then he asked the princess to go and take rest. But the name of Krishna was imprinted in Rukmini's mind. She wanted to hear that divine music and she thought next day she will again ask her father to bring that cowherd boy to Vidharbha. Her father never refused any of her demands.

"Princess your father cannot bring me to Vidharbha. Only you can and at the right time you will realize it," mentioned Krishna stopping the flute he was playing.

"Which princess you are talking about Krishna," asked Radha who was resting on his shoulder listening to the music.

"A princess Radha about whom you will know when the right time comes," replied Krishna with a mischievous smile.

"Again, playing riddles with me. You are a cowherd and which princess will come for you. No one will be foolish like this Radha to follow you. How can someone stand your riddles and mischiefs." Mentioned Radha and started walking away mocking anger.

The teenagers were as usual in Vrindavan and it was Krishna's habit to tease Radha with other Gopis. But a princess coming for her Krishna was beyond the imagination of the twelve-year-old girl. As she tried to increase her pace, she felt a firm grip on her hand. She wanted to shake it off but she couldn't.

"Radhe whether a princess comes or not you know the place you have in my heart is special. Now stop faking anger. Come let us sit under that mango tree and let me play the flute exclusively for you," told Krishna and Radha felt her anger evaporating. It was always like that. She always wanted to be angry with him but she couldn't. She turned and walked with him to the shade of the mango tree and Krishna began to play his flute. Radha kept her head on his shoulders and was lost in that music.

In Vidharbha king Bhishmaka removed a toy flute from the hand of Rukmini who had fallen asleep clutching it. He didn't know how to make his daughter understand he cannot call Krishna to Vidharbha. It was not just because he was in Vraj but also because of the rumors surrounding him that Kamsa believed he was Devaki's eighth born. Any vassal king of Kamsa or Jarasandh who had anything to do with Krishna would face their wrath. He was not in a position to put his subjects in big risk.