Marup Mari : Folktale from Kannaba Wari Khara
- Part 1 -

James Oinam *

Marup Mari :: Illustration from the Book 'Kannaba Wari Khara'

Marup Mari (Four Friends): Part 1
Kannaba Wari Khara (Few Useful Stories): Part 2

Author: Raghumani
Publisher: L. Devrani Devi
Brahmapur, Nahabam
First Print: 1988

Once upon a time in a large forest, there lived a crow, a mouse, a tortoise, and a deer as good friends.

Do you know what happened one day? The deer got caught in a net set by a hunter while on his way to eat. They followed a rule. That was they will all meet at their place at noon. Then after resting for a while, they will go back looking for their foods. Then in the evening they will meet again at their dwelling place.

However, on that day, the rule was broken. Being caught in the, the deer was unable to come at noon at their dwelling place. The crow, the tortoise, and the mouse waited with much alarm. Even late afternoon, there was no sign of the deer. After much deliberation they decided that the crow will go and find out what happened to their friend.

And so the plan was carried out. The crow flew around looking at the ground. The spotted the deer struggling to get out of the net set by the hunter. However, he was unable to free himself from the net.

Tears fell from the eyes of the crow. He flew near the deer and asked, “How did you get caught in the net friend?”

The deer replied, “While eating the green grass, I got into the net unknowingly.”

The crow said, “Why didn’t look around and be careful while going?”

The deer said, “It is my fate. What will be the use regretting? Why have you come here?”

The crow replied, “You did not come back. So I came looking for you.”

“I’m glad to see you friend,” said the deer, “I badly caught in the net and wouldn’t be able to escape. The hunter will surely kill me. I am happy to see my friend’s face before I die.”

The crow said, “Do not say such things again friend. Don’t be afraid. I will bring our friend the rat right now. He will gnow this net and set you free.”

But with broken hope, the deer said, “It will be a waste trying so hard to set me free. In the end even you might get into trouble. It is better that you return and give my love to my friends the rat and the tortoise.”

At that time, the rat reached the place. He came near the deer and said, “When our friend the crow did not return I came in search for you. Do not worry now. I will set you free.”

After saying this, the rat gnawed the net and the deer was free. At that time the tortoise came out of the thick forest. He said, “As you did not return, I became impatient and came. I’m so happy that our friend has been set free from the net.”

On hearing his words, the deer said, “When I was caught in the net, I thought about you friends. However, coming like this is not right. What if the hunter came now? You cannot run like us.”

To be continued .....