The Buddha
1. The birth of the prince
A long time ago, at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains,
there was a small kingdom called Kapilavatthu. Here,
the righteous and mighty King Suddhodana ruled over the
Sakya clan. His capital city was a delightful place, where a
mass of joyful people with handsome features and flashing
eyes crowded the squares and market places. Young girls
walked gracefully along the streets, wearing their sparkling
jewellery. All kinds of people travelled along the roads
— noblemen in chariots, merchants on elephants and peasants on foot. Children played in the gleaming river and holy
men and villagers bathed along its shores. The city was
decorated with large gardens filled with beautiful flowers,
peacocks and cool ponds. Brave warriors on horseback
guarded the kingdom.