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

James Oinam *

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

Kannaba Wari Khara (Few Useful Stories): Part 2

Author: Raghumani
Publisher: L. Devrani Devi
Brahmapur, Nahabam
First Print: 1988
No. of Copies: 1000
Price: Rs 15
Printer: Debala Press
Paona Bazar, Imphal
Available: Debala Book Store
Masjid Road, Imphal

Few Words

The stories contained in this small book is more valuable than Panchatantra. The stories have been rewritten because I felt these stories which are full of advice might help the children. Thus, if this small book is of any help to children, then I will feel that my efforts have been rewarded.

I am grateful to the Education Department (S) Manipur Government for awarding First Prize to this small book in Children’s Book Competition, Funga Wari (Folk Tales).

- Author

Marup Sannaba (Making Friends): Part 1

In the olden days, there was a land called Avanti. From the border of its capital Avantipur stretched a deserted land up to the foothills of Vindhya mountains. In the middle of it grew an old banyan tree since the beginning of civilization. Crows coming from various lands built their nest in it.

It has been a long time since they lived in the tree. Every morning they go around to find food, and in the evening, they come back bringing food for their children. Thus, they spent their time.

Do you know what happened one day? Suddenly, a man came from somewhere at some distance to the big tree. He was a hunter.

He scattered some rice there. The over it he spread a net for the birds. After that he hid behind the banyan tree.

At the time the leader of the crows, Laghupatan, was sitting on a branch of the tree. Thus, he saw everything the hunter did. Therefore, he knew that the man was a hunter.

Laghupatan warned the crows not to go in the direction of the net. As per the advice given by their leader, the crows did not go there. Early morning they flew to distant lands in search of their food. But Laghupatan remained there looking at the net.

After a while a flock of pigeons came flying, and started circling the sky above the net. Then when they came down to pick food, they were caught in the net.

Seeing a lot of birds caught in the net the hunter came out of his hiding very happy. On seeing him, the leader of pigeons shouted, “If you all want to live keep quiet. There comes a hunter.”

Obeying their leader all the pigeons became quiet. Then the leader said, “All of us together as one let’s fly with the net.”

As per the order given by the pigeon leader all of them together flew with the net. The hunter unable to do anything look at the flying away. Not the birds flew away, he also lost his net.

Laghupatan, sitting on the branch, saw all this. Then Laghupatan followed the pigeons who flew away with the net.

To be continued .....