The village

A small village situated in the laps of tall mountains. A small river ran through it, adding a special charm to it. Only one way went out of that village across the mountains. A long, path snaking through the mountains for days to reach the next village.

 

It was a mirror of peace. Only the residents knew its dark secret. Every young man and woman of that village had to go out by that road after attaining teenage, hardly half of them returned. Others vanished without traces. Of course they were replaced by brides, but these brides never crossed that mountain road two times in their whole life.

 

Those who returned shared wonderful stories about the world outside and always returned loaded with gifts for every one. Their life became dream-like after that journey. Full of riches and spiritualism. As if they have taken a trip to heaven and come back with its riches and divine words.

 

 

 

It was her turn this month. The softest and purest girl of the village, Chandralekha. Her mother and father asked her to get ready.

 

They left together. The whole village bade them goodbye and asked them to come back as soon as possible.

 

They galloped their horses in the road. Every man, woman and child of the village was a good equestrian.

 

Soon dusk started to settle in and they retired in a cave. The small girl was too tired and soon fell asleep. She thought she heard her mother crying in the night a few times but was not very sure if she heard it or it was a dream.

 

They reached under a hill on the tenth day. There was a small temple on the top of the hill.

 

“We all have to worship in that temple.” Her father said. They started to mount the hill.

They reached the top at the noon. “Go and take your bath in the pond.”

 

“After that change in these clothes and come to the temple.” Her father said.

 

 

 

She went to the pond. It was a huge pond. Clear water was rippling in the sunlight. She placed the clothes on the stairs and slowly stepped into the water.

 

Suddenly an ice-cold hand gripped her feet and dragged her inside the water.

 

She lost her consciousness within a few minutes. When she opened her eyes she was in a bed. A soft, slithery bed. A fade light was spread in the huge room but was unable to give it enough light. Far corners were lost in darkness.

 

She heard a hissing voice and saw a strange looking creature was coming towards her. Its body was human but its head was of snake.

 

“Whenever a girl or boy of your village becomes a teenager their parents sacrifice them to Nagaraja.”

 

“They have to serve Nagaraja; if Nagaraja is happy with their service they are rewarded and released. If they are not then they are transformed into his slaves, like I was.”

 

“Get ready; I will take you to him.”

 

Chandralekha started to sob. “I can’t live here. It’s so dark and scary.”

 

“Please let me go. I don’t want to work for any one. I want to go home to my mother and father. I don’t want rewards.”

 

The strange creature looked at her. Chandralekha thought that she too was sad. “No one goes out of here without Nagaraja’s permission.”

 

 

Chandralekha took her dresses and went to the changing room. She gently tiptoed out of the room and started to look here and there. Suddenly she heard a hissing sound and turned. Another snake-headed creature was standing there.

 

“I heard what you said. Take this pearl. Put it inside your mouth and think about the place you want to go. You will reach there.”

 

Chandralekha thanked the creature and did as she was told. She opened her eyes and saw that she was standing in her village.

 

The villagers were shocked to see her. “From where did you came child? Where are your parents?”

 

 

 

A dark cloud covered the sky before she could answer. The villagers started to run towards their homes. Leaving her behind, alone.

 

She saw a monster was standing in front of her. It had a human torso and hundred heads; every head was a snake’s hood. They were hissing fire.

 

“How dare you escape from my palace?” he roared.

 

“I don’t want to stay there. Its dark and scary.” She said.

 

“You are criticizing my home!” the king seemed amused.

 

“I am sorry but it’s scary and dark. I won’t go back there.” Chandralekha insisted.

 

“I will give you pearls and diamonds to play with and keep. When you return home I will give you lots of gifts.” The king smiled.

 

“I can’t live without sunshine, flowers, trees and birds.” The little girl said.

 

“Then let it be so my dear one. I am happy that you resisted greed.” The king disappeared.