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Adam and Durkhane
Long ago, in the beautiful valley of Swat, lived Hassan Khan, a Yousafzai Pathan. His son Adam was an excellent horse-rider and a brilliant Rabab player.

Adam told his father that he had met the most beautiful girl at a blacksmith's shop, when he went there to get his horse shod in a nearby village.

Hassan Khan called his son's best friends, Meero and Balo, and sent them to trace the girl and ask her father for her hand in marriage. They reported their findings the next day. Durkhane, was the name of the girl and she was the only daughter of an influential man called Taos Khan and was already betrothed to someone.

A few days later Adam sent Durkhane a message through an old aunt who took pity on him. Durkhane was greatly moved but told her aunt to ask Adam to forget her for she was about to be married to another man. From then onwards, the old lady frequently visited Durkhane bringing one message or taking back another. One day, she even arranged a meeting between Adam and Durkhane, while Taos Khan was away on some errand.

Adam and Durkhane's love grew with time. When Payao, Durkhane's betrothed, pressed for marriage, the lovers were most distressed by their helplessness. Eventually, Durkhane was sent away with her groom.

Adam's father, fearing for his son's life, went to a Phatan chieftain he knew well. Meermai headed many fighter tribes assured Hassan Khan that the girl would become Adam's wife. A few days later, Payao's house was raided and Durkhane was brought to the chieftain where she was to stay until they got a divorce for her. Payao was furious but he knew he couldn't fight such strong people. That is when he devised his plan. He bribed Meermai and took Durkhane away.

A few days later, Adam died. Durkhane was so grief struck that she too fell seriously ill. Her only wish was to hear the tune that Adam used to play. Meero came to play the notes one last time as she lay unconscious on her deathbed. She opened her eyes, just once and smiled as her life slipped away from her.

A little distance away from Swat is a place called Bazdaza, where the twin graves of the lovers still exists.

Pakistan, as rich as it is in culture, folklore and history, has many more stories to offer. From the grave of Anarkali, a dancing firl of the Moghul court to the tombs of Jahangir and Nur Jehan in Lahore. From the tale of Noori, the woman who died for her husband Jam Tamachi's honor, to the interesting tale of Saiful Maluck, the prince, a fairy fell in love with or the equally interesting story of Momal and Rano. These and many more enrich the fabric of a society, of a land, that is steeped in time honored traditions, tales and practices that will enthral and fascinate visitors, from near and far.