Marup Sannaba : Folktale from Kannaba Wari Khara
- Part 2 -

James Oinam *

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

Marup Sannaba (Making Friends): Part 2

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

The pigeons flew to a mound a far away. Upon landing on the land, the leader called out, “Friend Hiranyak, are you at home? Please save our lives.”

At the foot of a tree there was a small hole. On hearing the call of the pigeon, a mouse came out. He came near the pigeon and asked how they were caught in a net. The pigeon leader told him everything.

At that time, the mouse Hiranyak said, “All these are fate. No one has the strength to stop fate.”

The pigeon leader replied, “That is correct. But we were also not careful enough.”

Shaking his head, the mouse said, “Not that you were not careful, but under illusions of fate you were fooled. Even go Ram knowing that there can’t be golden deer was fooled. By the king’s act of abducting Sita, an entire lineage was destroyed. And look at Yudhishthira whose gambling resulted in loss of everything. However, there is no use in feeling sad over what has happened. I bit the net and release one by one.”

Thus saying the mouse Hiranyak came closer to free the pigeon leader first. However, the pigeon leader protested, “No friend, I am only the protector of all of them. You must release them first and then you can release me.”

Smiling the mouse said, “I know that friend. I was just testing you.”

The mouse released them all.

They talked for some time, and after that the pigeons flew away.

Laghupatan watched all this sitting on a branch. Seeing the manner and hearing the words of Hiranyak, he decided that he wanted to make friends with him. With these thoughts he flew near the burrow of Hiranyak.

Hiranyak had gone inside when the pigeons flew away.

Lagupatan called, “Friend Hiranyak, please come outside.”

Thinking that the pigeons might have come back, Hiranyak came out. However, seeing the huge crow like the god of death he was frightened and quickly rushed inside to hide.

Then Laghupatan said, “Why are you running friend? I am very happy with you behavior and you talks. And I want to be friends with you. Feel no hesitation and come out.”

From inside the ground came the reply, “Showing my gratitude from distance. Whoever has heard of the food and the eater being friends. You may go. I will not come outside.”

Laghupata said sadly, “I am very unhappy to hear your words friend. Crows and rats are enemies. Does that mean we can’t be friends?”

Hiranyak answered, “It will never happen. No good results can be obtained by making friends with enemies. On top of that bad people by pretending to be friends do things to destroy you. Puran says, god Indra killed Vritasur despite promise. Snake and mongoose, water and fire, cat and dog, rich and poor, fool and pandit, good and bad are familial enemies.”

But without any heartbreak Laghupatan replied, “That may be so. But only the fools are enemies, the intelligent are not enemies. Who will be enemies to someone knowledgeable and pure-hearted person like you?”

Hiranyak wanted to know whether the crow was pretending or was real. Hiranyak said, “Look brother Laghupatan, what you are saying might be true. But there is something. Making friends with someone who has been enemy from birth will be dangerous. And a knowledgeable person thinking that he is a pandit therefore no one will try to destroy him then it will be his big mistake.

It is said that the famous Panini who established rules of grammar was eaten by a lion. And famous philosopher Jaimini was trampled by an elephant. (Translator’s note: As per an article on internet, Jaimini, pupil of Vyasha and teacher of Sama Veda, was torn to pieces by an alligator.) And Pingala who wrote Chandrashashtra was carried away by a crocodile.”

At that time Laghupatan feeling dejected said sorrowfully, “Friend, you are a pandit. It is beyond me to argue with you. I simply want to say this. If you do not take me as your friend I will not go away from this place. Without eating and drinking I will remain here till I die.”

Hiranyak had a change of heart. He stuck his head out of the burrow, “No friend Laghupata. Do not do that. I agree with you. Let us meet every day and talk. However, do not come close to me. What do you say friend?”

Laghupatan saw no other way than agree with him. Thus, he agreed happily, “That’s OK. I agree with what you are saying.”

From that day, Laghupatan and Hiranyak became friends.

A long time passed.

Hiranyak was no more suspicious. The two became good friends sharing each other’s miseries and happiness.

Thus, children despite belonging to different races and religions, you learn to live together like brothers and sister.

Concluded .....