Shakuntala is a character from Hindu mythology, and there are different versions of her story. The most popular version is described in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Hindu epics traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa. This story had been adapted as a play by the 4th-5th century CE poet Kalidasa. Here is a summary of the story:

• Shakuntala was the daughter of Sage Vishwamitra and Menaka, a heavenly nymph. Menaka left her newborn baby near the hermitage of Sage Kanwa, head of a forest ashrama. Under his fatherly love and care, Shakuntala grew up as a simple but most beautiful lady.
• One day, Dushyanta, the king of Hastinapur, came near the ashrama of Shakuntala by way of hunting. He saw the beautiful deer and shot an arrow at it. Shakuntala found her deer whimpering in pain and tried to comfort it. They fell in love and King Dushyanta married Shakuntala and gave her a wedding ring with his name on it.
• The king then left for his kingdom after promising to return soon and take Shakuntala back with him. One day, Sage Durvasa came to Shakuntalas door. He repeatedly asked for water, but Shakuntala was lost in thoughts of Dushyanta and paid no attention. The sage was insulted and got very angry. Known for his temper, he cursed Shakuntala saying that the person whom she was thinking about would forget her. Due to the curse, Dushyanta forgot Shakuntala.
• After days of waiting for him to return, Shakuntala decided to go to the capital to meet him. On the way, as Shakuntala was crossing a river, her wedding ring fell into the water. A fish swallowed the ring. When Shakuntala arrived at the palace, the king did not recognize her. She then gave birth to a son named Bharata.
• Eventually, the ring was found inside a fish caught by a fisherman. The fisherman gave the ring to the king, who then remembered Shakuntala and went to find her. Upon her arrival, Shakuntala presented her son to Dushyanta. They were reunited and lived happily ever after.

The story of Shakuntala has been adapted into various forms of art, including plays, operas, and films.