Greeting to all my dear readers,
Why is life a journey? To my understanding, every minute that passes is exactly like we are taking one step forward. Imagine time as an escalator, moving in one direction. We are standing on it, the escalator taking us through villages, towns, cities, and countries. Time takes us to witness change, from a toddler to a teenager to an adult. Time takes us on a journey. A journey of life. In that journey, we ponder many things.
Let me share a situation worth pondering.
In a land where suspicion among clans ran deep, there lived three tribes: the Hilly, the Stream, and the Plain. For ages, after an ancient war, they lived within their own territories, protected by various defense mechanisms. A vast, dense jungle bordered each territory, a place where they sourced their livestock and other materials.
The story begins when Rajan and his companions, hunters from the Stream tribe, ventured deep into the wilderness. The thick canopy above cast dappled shadows on the ground. Lila, a skilled tracker in the group, her senses attuned to the subtleties of the forest, signaled a direction, her keen eyes following the faint tracks of their quarry.
As nightfall enveloped the jungle, disorientation set in. A sudden rustling in the underbrush sent a shiver down their spines. Without warning, a tiger leaped out, its eyes gleaming in the dim light. A fierce struggle ensued. Claws and teeth clashed with spears and knives. Bloodied and exhausted, the hunters' strength waned.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Kavi and his men from the Hilly tribe charged in, their battle cries piercing the night. They drove the tiger away, saving the battered hunters. Mira, a healer from the Hilly tribe, compassionate and wise, knelt beside the wounded, her hands working swiftly and skillfully to stem the bleeding.
Rajan, breathing heavily and covered in sweat and blood, nodded in thanks, though his eyes held a mix of gratitude and wariness. Kavi approached, his expression serious but his voice steady. "We'll get you home," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Rajan, too exhausted to protest, simply nodded. As the group began their journey back, the weight of the night's events hung heavily over them, the reality of their ordeal a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the jungle.
The journey back to Stream Tribe territory was tense but necessary. As night fell, the two groups gathered around a campfire, the flames casting flickering shadows on their faces. The warmth of the fire slowly eased the chill of the jungle night, and the initial tension began to give way to a tentative camaraderie.
Kavi shared tales of his clan's hunts, his voice animated as he described the dense jungle terrain they navigated daily. Mira spoke of her healing practices, explaining how she used herbs and plants to treat wounds and illnesses. Lila listened intently, occasionally exchanging a nod with Mira, recognizing the wisdom in her words.
Rajan, feeling a bit more at ease, recounted stories of their own village, the traditions they upheld, and the challenges they faced with the changing seasons. Amar, eager to contribute, spoke of his first hunt and the lessons he had learned from Rajan and Lila.
Around the fire, laughter began to mingle with the crackling of the flames. The shared stories acted as a bridge, connecting the two groups in a way that words alone could not. Despite the lingering suspicion, the campfire stories revealed common threads of struggle, survival, and resilience.
As the night deepened, Kavi and Rajan found themselves talking more openly. Kavi's eyes, reflecting the firelight, held a mix of determination and something deeper—perhaps a glimpse of the desperation that drove him. Rajan couldn't ignore the growing bond but remained wary, aware that camaraderie built in a night could easily be shattered by dawn.
The campfire eventually died down, and the groups settled into an uneasy sleep, the jungle sounds wrapping around them like a blanket. The journey continued at first light, the newfound camaraderie tested by the path ahead.
Upon arrival at the village, the familiar wooden palisades and watchtowers of the Stream Tribe came into view. Rajan's heart beat faster, a mix of relief and trepidation. The gates creaked open, and they were greeted by the wary eyes of their clansmen.
Elder Suraj stepped forward, his gaze as hard as stone. The lines of age and worry etched deeply into his face spoke of countless battles and betrayals. "What were they doing out there?" he demanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.
"They saved us," Rajan replied. Lila stepped forward, explaining in detail, ending with a stern phrase. "Without them, we could have ended up in the tiger's belly."
Elder Vina, standing slightly behind Suraj, spoke with a softer voice. Her eyes, though cautious, held a glimmer of hope. "We should be grateful for their help. But we must remain vigilant," she said, her words a gentle reminder that gratitude and caution must walk hand in hand.
The villagers murmured among themselves, their faces a mix of relief and suspicion. Rajan could feel the weight of their gazes, their trust in him balancing precariously on the edge of his words.
Arjun, the clan head, stood tall, his presence commanding attention. There was a voice from the crowd. "Give them something as a token. Let them leave immediately." Another voice, this time a woman, called out, "The Hilly are not to be trusted. Chase them away." A young man, Rajan's family member, spoke up, "We can't just abandon someone who saved our lives. At least let them rest for a few days."
An elderly woman added, "Let them into my home. I will tend to them. Care for a few days."
A young warrior, Suraj's nephew, jumped to the middle of the crowd. "We can't trust the Hilly. They were the ones who purposely waited for the tiger to strike. They used that to enter our territory. Saving our men was no act of sincerity." He gestured dramatically, whipping up the crowd's emotions.
The crowd cheered in agreement. The elderly woman, leaning on her cane, waved it in the air, silencing the crowd. "No matter what, they saved my son. They brought him home. If they wanted to slay him, they could have done it then. Can we at least be sensible? A few days in my home, under my care."
Kavi, Tariq, and Mira stood silently, witnessing how they were treated after risking their lives in the battle. "We mean no harm," Kavi began, his voice steady. "We were on our way home when we met Rajan and the tiger. If we didn't help, the tiger might have come after us next. That area is near their den." He took a deep breath. "Don't worry, we shall leave at first light tomorrow," he said, looking directly at Arjun, the clan head.
"Fine," Arjun commanded. "You shall follow the lady and enjoy her hospitality. But you are not allowed to wander around. You must remain inside." He turned to the crowd. "Now, dismiss. Get back to your work," he ordered, leaving with Suraj and Vina following behind. The crowd dispersed, sighing and murmuring.
Late at night, as Lila tended to her tasks under the moonlight, she passed by Rajan's verandah and noticed Kavi sketching in the dirt, Tariq by his side. Curiosity piqued, she quietly got closer. What she saw made her heart race—the sketch in the dirt resembled the village walls and the sentry points.
Confiding in Rajan, Lila's voice trembled with concern. "They're planning something. We need to be careful," she warned, her eyes reflecting the fire's light and the depth of her worry.
The next morning, the village square was filled with anxious villagers. Elder Suraj's eyes blazed with anger as he listened to Rajan's account. "They cannot be trusted," he declared.
Arjun raised his hand for silence. "We need to understand the full picture," he said. He turned to Kavi and Tariq. "Explain yourselves."
Kavi's voice broke as he spoke. "Our village is on the brink of destruction. A landslide is imminent. We had no other option. We thought we could integrate if we weakened your defenses."
Tariq added, "We know it was wrong, but our families' lives are at stake. We beg for mercy."
Elder Vina sighed, sadness etched into her features. "But they are desperate," she said softly.
The village murmured in shock and sympathy. Arjun pondered their words, his face grave. "We will send a delegation to verify your claims," he said. "But if you have lied, there will be severe consequences."
The delegation returned with grim news. The landslide was real, and the village of the Hilly tribe was indeed in grave danger.
In life's journey, we often encounter moments that test our trust and compassion. How we respond can define our character and shape our future. Until next time, dear readers, ponder this: How do we balance caution and compassion in the face of uncertainty?
Love
Old Man Em Jay