Monday, July 27, 2009

If Revenge is Sweeter than Honey

Once upon a time, in a big forest there lived a happy hen, happy because she laid an unusually big egg that spring. She was busy preparing a nest for her baby. She was really excited and whistling familiar tunes, she would ook for twigs and old pieces of clothes human beings had carelessly thrown in the jungle. She really loved the jungle and its cleanliness but at times felt sad for Mother Nature.

One day while she was on her way home from her normal work, she ran onto a fierce looking fox.

“Hey you little chicken,” said the fox. “I am starving here.”

“Please don’t kill me,” pleaded the hapless hen. “I have to take care of my egg.”

“Egg or no egg, I am going to have you now.”

“Even if you kill me, kill me once my child is big to be able to find food on his own.”

But the greedy fox landed a heavy blow on her innocent chest. The pain was too much for her to stomach and it only increased as her enemy continued hitting her with no stint of mercy. Thus, the hen ceased to live.

But now the egg was really angry when it came to know what the fox devoured his mother. He wanted to avenge his mother’s death.

“If a son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” the egg shouted, gritting his angry teeth.

So, the quest for the enemy began. The egg went rolling and rolling, up to the fox’s den.

“Where are you rolling Mr. Egg?” questioned a honeybee on the way.

“If the son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” said the egg. “I am going to kill the fox.”

“Can I join you on the mission,” asked the bee, offering his help.

“Two is better than one. You are welcome.”

The egg and the bee continued their mission. On the way, they met a nail and cow dung who wanted to join the mission. So, the egg, the honeybee, the nail and the cow dung continued their quest.

“Where are you headed my friends?” asked an iron hammer on the way.

“If the son does not avenge his mother’s death, then, who would?” said the egg. “We are all going to kill the fox.”

The big iron hammer was interested to join the mission, so, he was permitted.

“Five is always better than four. You are welcome,” they chorused.

They walked and walked and in the afternoon, the avengers reached the fox’s den. The empty house suggested the fox was out hunting. The conspirators entered the house and carefully hid themselves in appropriated places designated by the egg. They waited in patience, which human beings are unable to do.

Then there was a lightening followed a thunder. Immediately, there was a heavy downpour. Apparently, even the foxes don’t like to wet their coats. So, the fox came rushing home. He was terribly cold.

He entered his house and was about to sit by the hearthside as the nail pricked his bottom.

“Arrgggghh!” the fox wailed in pain.

But he wanted to start the fire. And as he bent down, the bee gave him a nice sting on his forehead, which sent him reeling. Still the fox was undeterred from starting the fire. And as he blew into the hot embers, the egg exploded and threw the hot embers in the air. This time, he stood up and jumped in the air quite contrary to a peacock trying to attract the peahen.

Still trying to readjust his sight from thick cinders, the fox went out. But as he crossed the doorstep, he slipped off the cow dung and banged his head on the floor. The fox was nearly unconscious when the heavy hammer, which was hidden above the door, fell on his dying body with a great force.

That was the end of the quest and of the evil.

Let good reign supreme.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sometimes Evil Triumphs

Once upon a time, there lived two friends in a big forest, a hen and a kirwa. A kirwa is a small animal that resembles a cat. The wild cat and the hen were the best friends, best in that part of the jungle.

The hen and the wild cat lived a small house built out of bamboo and wood. It was a big house by any animal standard. They worked together and collected food together.


And one day as the sun was about to set and darkness was yet to fall on in the forest, the wild cat asked the hen, "hey hen, where do you sleep today?"

The voice sounded as if it came from a pair of jalings being blown by the monks to welcome the dawn.

"Today I will sleep near the hearth," she lied and when the world was silent and shining stars were out, the hen was awoken suddenly by a loud crashing sound that landed near the hearth.

"Hey cat, what are doing there?" asked the hen from the windowsill.

"Byar rey mimang rama rema, gun ni mimang saka lung," the wild cat replied. (summer's dream is unclear and winter night's dream is terrible?)

The wild cat went to sleep feeling a little embarrassed about his nightmare.

The next day, again the wild cat asked in a voice that resembled jaling from the monastery," hey friend, where do you plan to sleep tonight?"

"O tonight I am planning to sleep on the windowsill," she responded him. Satisfied, the cat went to his place and waited for the darkness to grow thicker.

And when every voice subsided to the sounds of screeching crickets and owls, something landed on the windowsill- thud! And the hen who was awoken by the noise, asked the cat, "hey kirwa, what is wrong with you?"

"O sorry, this usual stuff, summer night's dream is unclear and winter's is terrible," he replied and went back.

And likewise every night the wild cat hunted for the hen but the hen slept in different place in the house every night. Thus, days piled onto days.

One day, the hen was really sad thinking about her friend's evil plot. And she thought if that was what he wanted, let him kill me. That evening, when the wild cat asked her the same question, she no more lied about her roosting place.

As the darkness deepened, a loud sound landed again by the side of the hearth, where the hen was sleeping peacefully. The sharp claws had pierced her stomach and the sheer weight of her friend broke her wings into pieces.

And before the hen breathed her last, the wild cat started pulling her furs and feathers.