The snake charmer, the snake and the thieves
The huge banyan tree of the village of Rangra was situated in the heart of the village. It was the eldest of all trees that were found in the village.
The birds, the squirrels, the chipmunks and the insects that lived on and within the branches of the banyan were most probably the senior most citizens of Rangra.
Rangra lied on the coast of the ocean Brahmamghat that was treacherous for its wild waves during the night and blessed for its bringing of cool breeze and rain to its coast.
The morning in Rangra starts with the sound of the falling and splashing waves of the sea that sent chills throughout the body, and gave a rise of interest in one to dive in, forgetting its notorious behavior and remembering that you have got the chance.
The evening is sited with the flow cool breeze and the mingled fragrance of the wild berries and the Blushing flowers of Rangra and it went on until dawn. The night commences with the softened oceanic orchestra, the loud cheers, the screams, and the laughter throughout the village. The shops are crowded, the houses are lighted and a sweet smell of dates evolves as they fall from the palms.
The banyan tree was placed at the center of a huge circle which was lined by several huts, shops, date palms and coconut trees.
Beneath the banyan was a low platform made of mud and buffalo dung. It was simple, with no such decorations or elements of amusement for the children to play with or for the women to chat about.
But something amusing happened there, each morning that did attract the eyes mostly of passing and nearby children, seldom the eyes of women, ladies, and grandmothers and rarely the eyes of fathers, grandfathers. They were mostly busy with their fish catching and selling business.
The one who amused used to approach that very area, under that very tree and put a huge straw basket on the mud floor of the platform and then settled himself beside the basket.
He would then fumble in his bag that was barely a bag but a rag that was stitched on its sides, for something important and come out with an old flute carved out of mahogany.
The time was too early in the morning, so people didn’t appear out of their huts. But once the man started playing the flute, after moistening his lips (to create smooth and delicate notes), and rehearsing in softness, the children from the nearest households came running with their sandals in their hands to the tree, attracted to the tune of the flute.
Once they reached, they stood their, making no movements, dumbstruck before the three performers; the man, the flute and the snake.
Rustam was a good snake charmer, skilled and knew the dos and the don’ts of his inherent interest.
He was from a neighboring village, Roore which was actually dangerous to inhabit for newcomers because of the stunning snake population there. “Roo” itself means snakes.
Venomous snakes like Saslik, Belambela, Betaral, and Marukaat live in large numbers, mostly in swamps and lakes and are as long and deadly as a nightmare.
While non venomous snakes like Anagor, Khota and Monty looked out for the venomous ones.
Rustam had a Betaral whom he named Kunwar. He had bought it from some dealer in Roore some months ago.
It was because of Kunwar that Rustam had gradually faced a lot success and had earned a lot of money.
Betaral was known for its cunningness and betrayal that could make anyone repent.
But Kunwar was very active and flexible in doing tricks and snake dance and most of all he was loyal, so Rustam had no fear of betrayal.
One day as usual, Rustam sat on the low platform beside the basket and played the flute and as usual the crowd was massive and watched the Betaral rise from its dark hood.
It went on for hours until the women had done with their gossips and had come to call their little ones in for lunch and nap.
Everyone evacuated, everyone but, two children, who waited there everyday even when everyone was in.
Rustam saw those two orphan girls bathing in sunlight. He called them under the cool shed of the tree.
The girls were seeing the basket and the snake sleeping, coiled in four huge loops.
Rustam saw them watching it with no expression.
‘Don’t find Kunwar amusing?’ asked Rustam, keeping in mind that they were two small girls.
‘How can a Kunwar be amusing when he is cooped up in a net like jail…? Asked one of the girls.
….. When he is ought to be free like a Kunwar’ continued the other girl.
Rustam was surprised hearing such thoughtful sayings from the two girls, who were no older than five.
‘You both are twins?’
‘Yes,’ the first girl nodded. ‘But it still doesn’t justify the fact that you keep a Betaral snake cooped in it.’
Rustam looked at the straw basket and then turned towards the girls as if he was about to speak something confidential.
‘Look, dearies, I do this for income and in this you and your gangs and lot others whom you may call boring, find happiness and fun. So, why do you don’t want to have fun with them but interfere in these matters?’
‘We should have done this even earlier, but we were restricted by our parents. But now…. The girl shuddered, looked down and a drop of tear emerged from her eye.
…. No other talks, Rustam ji’ the other girl said confidently and then whispered something in the ears of her sister and came up,
‘We want to buy the snake.’
This was going too far, but Rustam was having fun, he wondered, how and where those girls would get the money he would ask for, he was enjoying thinking about it. So he felt he should drag this fun along.
He looked in his bag, he had Rs.500 in total. He thought deeply, he needed 1000 rupees for travelling to Koran and sell Kunwar for high, and buy some cheap snakes.
He calculated for a while and came up,
‘If there’s where you find peace, then why don’t you get the snake for 500 rupees?’
The girls chorused, “Okay.”
Rustam was surprised and joyous at this deal.
The girls left and didn’t return that day.
Next day, Rustam had completed his performance and was getting ready for lunch.
He knew somehow that those girls wouldn’t return.
But to his astonishment the two girls were there at a distance, bathing in sunlight.
Rustam called them in.
‘What is it children, you look glum?’ a sly grin grew on his face.
‘We’re glum because we can’t watch you glum.’ The girls chorused a sly grin on their face too.
One of the girls from her side pocket extracted some rectangular papers.
Rustam stood up, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
There, he saw. Money!
He took it and summed it quickly. And to his fear, there it was, exact five hundred.
He was desperate; the wicked smile was flushed away.
He took the straw basket and handed it over to the girls who were still on with the grin.
He went as quiet as a graveyard.
The girls opened the lid and brought the Betaral out. Then they threw the basket and its lid at the feet of Rustam, who curiously watched the girls handle the snake with perfection and the snake too seemed to have swallowed clear all his venom.
The girls left running, as fast as an athlete. Rustam was left in distress, fully out of words.
But he thought over suddenly, he now had in total 1000 rupees. And his happy face returned as if a bulb had started glowing after going dark for long.
He looked in his bag but he couldn’t find a money to count. A flash of dark fear came to him. He had no 1000 rupees, but just the 500 rupees he had in hand.
He was confused, and was in huge depression. What had happened? What exactly had happened?
In this darkest situation a white bumble of paper flew and stuck on his face. It was a windy day.
He got it out and looked at it.
He found an interesting headline; “WANTED, YOUNG THIEVES” and it went like this......
Two short girls, as shown in picture are Twins and look the same. May even look small but are actually of twenty. Have been infamous for records of betrayal and may even betray you.
If they come to you to deal for snakes then for god sake, never go to their looks and innocence and never ever agree.
They’ve fooled at least 20 snake dealers and have robbed at least 27 houses.
If they look to you like orphans then forget it because their parents and their whole family tree is bathed in dirt. Their parents are the mastermind who have been arrested and are not giving any thing clearly but are producing puzzles:
“If and if I have ever given you a Betaral,
Then beware oh! friends and foes,
Because he is snappy,
And get your pockets clean, ha ha ha!!! ”
This explains that they have this snake named Kunwar who has been resold many times and the current owner is someone in danger because this snake is as clearly an accomplice.
Please be careful and if spotted please call us at the number below:
0000000000000
But the number went on fading and fading. And before Rustam knew anything, he had already fainted.
WREEK KUNDU
9-06-011
6:11 pm
