The Cage - 1/3

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I saw sadness in his face when I flew off from his shoulder and turned to see him to tell him that I earned my freedom. I could see disappointment in his reaction; he seemed blaming himself for taking me outside from my cage since the day he picked me from that shop where many like me were caged. Humans called as birds and forgot the meaning the word when they put us in cage.

The shop-human who sold me to my master-human told that I am a rare bird and will be a loyal friend to him. I still do not know the meaning for those human words of course some of their own species itself do not know.

I was happy flying for the first time after months of being caged. My wings were rusted and it was painful at the beginning but became easy as I went on. I am not born to fly and see the world around! Why my master-human caged me in his home and called it love for birds?

After long time of flight I was tired and hungry for the first time in my life. I found a tree branch and sat on it for a while. Where will I find food, the pocketed grains and covered fruits that my master-human keeps ready even before the time I get hungry!

Below the tree I saw another human just like my mother-human that is what my master-human call her. I went and sat on her shoulder so that she might feed me like my mother-human does. The moment I sat on her shoulder she become excited and called other humans of her family. I search all around but there is no cage in their house; happy. She handed me to another bigger human whose eyes looked like the four legged cats which I see in television. The cage I lived, my master-human hanged it near to their television.

The cat eyed-human caught hold of me in one hand and waved me up and down twice and said “enough for three today”. I quite didn’t understand what he meant. I asked for food. He didn’t react instead he handed me over to the mother-human of the house and went inside. I waited for him to come back with the pocketed grain that my mother-human feeds me. Meanwhile the four legged creature that my master human calls Roger looked different now, dirty and ugly I guess this is not Roger. The new-roger lifted his triangle face and looked at me and barked which Roger never did.

I guess this new-roger didn’t like me. The human went inside to get me food came back with a metal piece in his hand. I thought for sometime, O! I remembered it is the one that cuts the body. I have seen my mother human cuts the chicken bird. I looked around for dead chicken birds but none I found. The mother-human of the house handed over me to the cat eyed-human.

The cat eyed-human left me down near the bowl filled with water. “Thank you my new-master-human, I was very thirsty” I said and dipped my beak in to the bowl. When I drank enough and dipped my beak for the second time I saw the chicken body cutter aimed to my neck which I saw in the water reflection. I panicked and moved away and the chicken body cutter smashed the bowl spilling the water all around. I flew away. I guess this new master human thought that I was a chicken I guess. I should have told him that I was not a chicken bird but a rare bird, loyal and friendly so that he should have given me grains to eat.

Poor new-master-human!

I flew away as I do not want to be treated like a dead chicken bird. I landed in a tree branch where I saw something in red. I went near and that looked like a fruit. I quenched it in hurry as I was hungry. My daily routine was to sleep after a good meal. I closed my eyes and the place become dark sooner. My master-human keeps his lights for a long time, until he falls asleep but here somebody had turned the lights off earlier. The place become cooler and as time passed it become cooler that I could not bear.

Sounds...

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Last night it rained. The rain drops knocked my glass window like an old typewriter keys hitting the paper with letters producing a good writing. Every hit on the window is a letter dropped from up above the divine hand writing in my brain. Long gone are the screeching sounds of the nib of a pen over the paper, long gone are the sound of the type writer keys hitting the paper, now it is only the sound of the fan over head, television in the living room, beep sounds of the mobile key stokes and beep sound in the videos in mobile phone.

The feel of writing in motivated with the acoustic of the writing, like the Ahum sound for the yogi’s body and that of the universe. The surroundings made writers ears deaf and demotivated the writing process.

I threw my smart phone, that made me a dumb, away and switched my television off. I am still not motivated. My room was silent, my mind was calm but the acoustic of my writing was not heard. It is the jotted pieces of metal that was revolving around scattering the air to all direction disturbed the acoustic to reach my ears. I shut the fan up. There was only an oozing sound of air, frying sound from the kitchen, and spices smell from the pan.

I hit key of my computer key board. It sounded like a keys of a piano and there is the motivation; the water drops from the sky hit the window and it rained.

The Lord of the War 6/6 – The Celebration

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Lord of the war 1/6 Lord of the war 2/6 - Valli Lord of the war 3/6 - The Vow Lord of the war 4/6 - Veera Lord of the war 5/6 - The War

Kalingan the pet and war elephant of Murug came down to the river waiting for Murug. A huge bonfire was lit on the shore to signal the on coming boats. Murug looked at the distant fire asking for the bow and the arrow Murug bundled a clog of cotton cloth. Winding the cloth at the tip of the arrow and dipping it in the oil Murug asked for fire. He waited for few minutes calculating the distance that which the fire in the air will be visible to the people in the shore. Murug shot the burning arrow high in the sky to signal His arrival.

Looking at the fire in the sky Kalingan the mighty forest elephant got up and triumphed aloud hitting his feet hard on the ground signalling other elephants in the forest. Within seconds the entire forest woke up. Sound of the elephants vibrated from all directions. Murug and His warriors heard the sound of the Kalingan’s welcome.

The entire tribe assembled in the shore around the bonfire and withing minutes the boats arrived. Murug’s boat was the last to come and Veera’s was the first leading the pact.

Long live Murug shouted the crowd.

A big garland of Vaagai flowers was made and Kalingan waited with the garland for his master. Murug jumped out from the boat. Valli ran towards him along with Kalingan. Looking at Valli, Kalingan slowed down for he has learnt who she was. Valli could see that kalingan slowing down so she too slowed down and walked along with Kalingan. Valli hurried and hug Murug at the first sight. The first hug. She was so soft but her grip was strong. She smelled like a flower. The hug was so tight for Murug could feel her heart beats on His body. Murug covered her in his arms and Kalingan decorated both of them with the garland he was carrying.

Men and women lined up and showered flowers as Murug and Valli walked to the hut. The decoration started, traditional Trumpet and Chanda melam was played, and celebration began. It was the wedding of Murug, the lord of the wars.

Murug reminded silent so as Valli, both adoring each other in celebration sound around. Nobody slept, happiness were around everywhere. It was hours before the sunrise when the river was calm, air was smooth, and animals in the forest were resting. Murug and Valli were decorated with garlands and fragrant oil. Both the bride and groom walked to towards the river where the fire was still burning.

From this day on, before the witnessing good people, the holy river and the might fire, I take you as my better half. Like the water in the fire and fire in the water I leave you not for anything and anyone. I promise.

Murug cut His thumb with the edge of His Spear and placed it as vermilion over Valli’s forehead. Valli’s father held her hand and hand it over to Murug with happy tears in his eyes.

You both were destined to be. Long live the lord of the wars; long live the couple Valli’s father shouted when the flowers showered from all direction over the couple. Sun rose blessing the couple. Kalingan bent down for the couple to climb over. Valli sat over the neck of Kalingan and Murug behind her. Kalingan triumphed in happiness and walked to the top of the mountain. Murug the saviour, a fierce warrior, god of protection and the Lord of the wars was worshipped from then on by the tribes of the forest and His fame spread all over the land.

Long live the warrior’s fame.

The Lord of the War 5/6 – The War

Lord of the war 1/6 Lord of the war 2/6 - Valli Lord of the war 3/6 - The Vow Lord of the war 4/6 - Veera

He looked mighty and gigantic. Never have I seen such a mighty human being in my life. He looked godly and same time a demon. When he walks the lands shivers and the building vibrates; a worthy opponent for my lord finally. I offered peace, at the least not to intervene in our lands and not to cross the river anymore and touch our women. He had no ears. He offered me no chair. Then I broke one of their doors cascaded it and piled it one after the other and sat equal to him. All I could do was to increase his rage which will eventually suppress his brain. Victory will be ours. We will face his army tomorrow. Veera spoke to the warriors after returning from the Sooran, the king of plain land, one among the mighty warrior the earth had seen.

The army of hundred assembled to face the army of thousands; Veera at the front leading his men, Murug in the middle. On the other side Tharaga, brother of Sooran, leading the army and Sooran in the middle ready to kill.

Tharaga looked no smaller than Sooran. When the army clashed Tharaga walked straight to Veera with his heavy executioner’s sword. The attack was heavy; never in his life had Veera seen someone striking a sword with such might. Veera withdrew a little, looking at which his entire troop withdrew.

Veeraaa…. Murug shouted. Veera who was about to fall down managed to stand still and looked back. Murug, with His raging eyes saw Veera and hit his spear on the ground passing on the rage to Veera. Meanwhile the executioner sword neared Veera’s neck missing at an inch.

Victory to Lord Murug screamed Veera and jumped high in air aiming his sword to the middle of Tharaga’s head. Blood splashed all around, Tharaga’s head splited into two and his elephant huge mighty body fell on the ground. Veera stood over his body and screamed again looking at Murug Victory to the Lord of the war.

Looking at the death of Tharaga, Sooran got down from his chariot with his spear in one hand and a long sword in another. Soldiers who saw the death of Tharaga ran away. With the rage of Veera his men wielded their sword and spears fiercely with extra power and confidence Veera has passed on with the big kill. Now the army is almost half.

Murug stepped down to the front with his heavy spear rotating it against the enemies’ pact killing tens in one spin injuring tens in another. Looking at the speed of Murug no soldier from the enemy’s dared to near him. Meanwhile a thousand were killed in the Sooran’s army and left outs ran away.

One hit with the spear of Sooran threw Veera away. When he was about to thrust his sword on Veera’s heart Murug swirled and smashed Sooran on his shoulder. With heavy blow the sword flew away from his hand leaving Veera alive. Sooran in no time realized the danger and changed his attack towards Murug. Sooran stroke Murug with his spear with all his might knowing not who he is challenging. The return strike was equally powerful.

Sooran stepped back a little and smiled at Murug exclaiming worthy hands to die he said and aimed his spear towards him. Sooran took all the blows, beard extreme pain but nothing could stop him from fighting back.

Worth the kill Murug thought.

Murug stepped back swirled and hit Sooran’s spear making it fly in air and with all his might which he has never used plunged his heavy spear right at the middle of Sooran’s ribs tearing almost half of his body. Murug’s warriors shouted victory, victory. And with all his might withdrew His spear from Sooran’s body splitting Sooran in to two.

Murug stood with unquenched rage and blood of the demon all over his body. Murug’s warriors looked terrified at the scene; everybody went down on their knee in praise of Murug. The war is over.

Victory to the Lord of the war.

Lord of the War 4/6 – Veera

Lord of the war 1/6 Lord of the war 2/6 - Valli Lord of the war 3/6 - The Vow

Veera stood before the statue of deity of the mountain with fire in his hands. Murug stood behind him and Valli next to Murug. The boats were ready for the sail. The river was calm and the wind was if favour for the sail. The prayers were done, foods were loaded, and warriors were ready for the fight. The troop was small, hundred to fight and twenty to help; one leader of troop – Veera and one Lord of the war – Murug.

Veera was strong, a fierce mighty warrior, a blind devotee of Murug. He asks no question to the orders of His lord. He protected Murug just like His spear.

The boats started to sail. Valli walked till the boats and to bid come as soon as possible back to Murug and troop. The lord of the war nodded to finish the war soon. Veera carried a heavy sword in his hip, a small heavy saber tied to his calf. Warriors on board carried spears and swords, few carried bow and arrows made up of bamboo with sharp metal tip. The arrows were typically longer than the usual skilfully straightened and attached with the metal tips.

They know the direction to sail and the sail was peaceful so far. Enemies came from the north and the escaped in that direction. Murug knows that the journey is not far than few hours. With the feature of the men he killed he know he belong to plain land where they climb mountains on legs but with horses. The rope marks on his hand showed he was a skilful horse rider and with the aim and speed of the arrow that he shot towards Him he should be a trained archer. With the wardrobe and shoes he should be from an organised army. Murug reckoned the dead soldier. Murug also knows if all were like that dead man then only ten men can equal one man of His troop.

River narrowed down at a place after few hours of sail. Veera turned back and looked at his lord as the wind slowed down and the water level lowered. Murug nodded in agreement. No words exchanged. They both know each other well by heart. Veera raised his sword and called for halt. Boats were shored and tied. It was twilight. Food was prepared. Veera jumped in the river when the tent was prepared and fire was ready for cooking. Veera came back with a heavy big fish.

The troop was fed well and comforted to sleep but mentally prepared for fierce fight coming to them. Twelve men guarded the troop hiding away from the troop. Veera lead the twelve men. It darkened and the sky lit with millions of stars and one fanning moon.

It was just before midnight; Veera could hear hissings of men and crackling of swords. Veera whistled to alert the warriors guarding. Everyone was ready for kill. A small group of twenty came slowly without any noise towards their tent. They didn’t see the Veera hiding, they walked passing him. And when they started running towards the tent Veera came out from his hiding freeing his sword from the scabbard shouted kill. The soldiers who were running stopped and turned back to see a might figure standing firm with his sword. Ten of them stopped and challenged Veera and the other ten ran towards the tent.

The swords rattled none of the ten expected the speed of Veera’s sword. He was wielded his sword like a mad animal any weapon that touched his sword flew in the sky. One man cradled from his back with his sword and by mistake a glint of the sword from the light of the moon alerted Veera.

Veera turned back and kicked the crawler in his torso. He flew in the air and landed few yards away and didn’t come back to life.

Eight were dead. One ran towards the tent where gigantic Murug was standing out with this spear in his hand. Veera tore the ninth apart and saw the tenth running towards might Murug. Few yards before he could reach Murug he fell down screaming in pain. Veera walked to the man on the ground below Murug’s feet and plucked his sabare from his back. He saw him only half dead, Veera walked over his throat crushing his neck to death.

Two of the soldiers were captured alive. One was sent back with a message to their king to prepare for war and the other was kept with them to show them the war field.

Murug patted Veera on his chest and held him by his shoulders.

Veera shouted Victory to the Lord of the war.

Lord of the War 3/6 - The Vow

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Lord of the war 1/6 Lord of the war 2/6 - Valli

The council gathered, Murug was in the middle and Valli stood with her father – the head of the tribe. Murug’s strong men stood behind Him and He left His spear rest over right side of His chest. Murug looked at Valli with adoration with a wrapper of lust and love.

The council men and the head of the tribe spoke. The men from the other side of the vast flowing river comes crossing and crosses their limits to their women and resources. They were soldiers who seem not to cross for fun but with the intention to learn the depth of the forest and its men. Hundreds were killed in a year protecting their tribe. Since there whereabouts were not known and in a doubt that the pride and courage of their tribe will put underestimated, the Lord of the forest, Murug, was not informed.

I have seen your pride and courage. But as a ruler I am supposed to know. Today they crossed the border and entered my eye sight. One was killed but other couldn’t be spotted Murug went on I could be of a small help to find who they are. Prepare the boats.

The council dispersed by the twilight. When the His men was expecting to get back to the mountain top to their respective homes the tribe wanted Him to stay with them for the night as a guest. And Murug accepted. He allowed His men to get back to their homes and to return the next rise but none left Him. He called the new man of His little troop and asked him to go back to the top and to Veera to pass on Murug’s order to come down to the river, to Him with hundred of His best me.

The sky started to lose its colour, the sound of the river become loud with that all the acoustic of the forest was shunned.

Murug walked along the shore with His heavy spear in His hand. To His sharp ears along the oozing river He could hear a singing anklet following Him. He walked a little distant from the people and turned around to see a beautiful warrior who stroke with her sword earlier that day and now with her eyes. The raising moon shone over her body and lit up her face. Her nose pin twinkled like a start in the sky.

Sorry She said.

You look beautiful, Valli He replied.

I have heard about you but couldn’t recognize you. I rose by sword against you… She bent her face down

If you wish to own me and stand by my side till the end of my days, you should never put your face down for whatsoever Murug asked for her hands showing His palms asking for her permission and love.

Valli lifted her face to see His eyes and turned back to see her people. To her surprise her father stood behind her little far from where she stood. Her father nodded, she grabbed Murug’s hand. They both walked back to the tribe hand in hand. Her father walked in front of them. Flowers were showered over them.

Let us bring peace to this place and I will take her as mine. Murug promised.

Lord of the War 2/6 - Valli

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Lord of the war 1/6

The lord of the war, Murug, after two kills walked down towards the flooding river. He dipped His spear into the speeding stream and the river washed the dirt and the possibility of poison from the metal. His men were with him looking at his strong arms, tight biceps carrying the heavy metal like a tiny stick.

Murug walked back from the river though the rage in his heart though he quenched His spear in water he could not quench is burning heart out of anger. At a long distance away from the speeding river He saw a silhouette of a woman sitting on a rock with her hands behind her back, her legs swinging out from the rock and her breasts pointing upwards. The Sun had hallucinated to look her like a shadow. Murug stopped and saw the silhouette and asked His men to stop there were they are and He walked towards the woman.

A mild scepticism protruded in his heart, is she an angel or a nymph of the river or a evil ghost!

He knows no fear. Only the one who is afraid of death know fear, Murug know even the death could not fight with Him. As He walked towards her the colors unveiled like a Sun light penetrated drizzle. A long strong tiger skin which was softened against the rocks to make it as a wrap-around for her hips, soft red cloth covered her breast unveiling the firmness and the beauty of her femininity. She wore a hip chain which looked to be loosened lately as she become lean. A black thread with multiple knits and knots and a sharp tiger tooth hung from her neck just over her bosom.

She twisted and turned playing with the air and the anklet in her feet sang to the dance of her body. Her long hair that ran till her thighs was properly knitted and bunch of flowers in yellow decorated her hair. Her forehead was small, contemplating her eye thick dark eye brows. She had black eyes sharp and shiny. She looked like a mix of twilight and night in her complexion. With all that her hand was strong and her legs were firm.

Murug walked slowly towards her and before He reached her a group of girls came running towards the girl on the rock. He moved little forward.

What is your name? He asked. She didn’t reply. She neither feared nor taken back. She slowly got down moving her hip from the rock and stood firmly on the river shore sand. Murug looked her from her feet to her forehead. What is your name? He asked again.

Who are you? Why are you here? She replied with questions. He saw the rage of a warrior in her eyes. He moved little further. The girl climbed the rock on which she was playing and drew a sword from behind the rock. She released the sword from its scabbard and lifted it towards the sky. The blade glinted by the Sun. She jumped down to the sand wielding the sword towards Murug’s chest. He didn’t move, instead stopped her sword with His spear. The strike was strong. Hearing to the sound his men rushed towards Him with their spears and daggers in hands. He knew that would happen so He raised His right hand towards the sky signalling them to stop and stand where they were.

Strong hands He said. Stronger than you think She replied.

Meanwhile a girl from the group ran back to their livings and a group of men with their swords came running to protect the girl with the sword. She saw her people coming for her support.

Call your men, get ready for the fight She screamed. Not required He replied still adoring her courage and beauty; a rare combination.

Men behind the girl rushed in attacking formation but as soon as they neared the girl they changed the formation and walked towards The Man standing tall opposite to her and went on their one knee, a salute to the great warrior and the lord of the wars. Praise to the Warrior Murug, Praise to the lord of the wars they shouted in unison. Along with them the girl went down on her knee. Murug gestured them to stand.

She left the sword on the ground and went behind the oldest man in the group.

Come out. She walked towards Him. Take the sword. She lifted it like a warrior. She was still adorable. What is your name? He asked.

Valli She said with her heads down in shy.

Lord of the War 1/6

On the top of the mountain, with skin of the bison in his feet, which he had torn in one of his hunts, with a rock crushing stance one foot over a rock and other on the land he stood firmly like midday sun on the summer. He was born in the colour of tender mango leaves and with the eyes of a crouching tiger. No more could the rays of the Sun penetrate his tanned thick skin. Under his feet lied a heavy metal spear that which only he could lift. Never the hunt failed, never the hunt survived. He was neither brutal nor cruel because he knows he does what is imbibed in his heart; the destination of his birth.

He was the God of protection. The Mid day on the mountain top with the millions of trees and thousands of people under his feet was a usual day. A flock of birds was flown disturbed from far north of the forest down the mountain. The sound of the waterfall in the east, rushing flood in the river below the mountain, and the roar of a hunting lion; all he could hear for his ears become sharper over the years. Amongst all the sound the disturbed birds disturbed his ears; he knew it could be a new animal that entered into the forest missing its way or a stranger hunter exploring new hunts.

He bent down to lift his heavy spear which looked like a pocket Saber knife in his hands. Rush he called out and ran towards the north where something new has entered his regime. With his roar to rush, men who were strong, but only that of half of their lord, rushed behind him trying to cope up with his speed. A few minutes of non stop and resilient running He reached the exact spot where He smelled disturbance.

An Elephant triumphed near by. Silence he commanded his men and signalled to stay low. The forest went silent and only the sound of oozing wind prevailed along with a sing of a distant bird and chirping of tiny insects. His ears sharpened to the situation. He could hear the sound of the metal rubbing in the hands of a strong hand. Within seconds the sound become feeble and the sound of a metal tearing the air become vital. He had only minuscule seconds to react. He turned to the direction of the sound rotating his spear. A strong long metal arrow with a sharp tip penetrated the near by tree after hitting His spear. The spear was sharp, different from the normal spears. The edges were curved inward; instead of the diamond tip of any normal spears His was polished. When other spears tip was sharp to penetrate the target His entire spear acted as that tip; only he could wield.

The arrow vibrated hitting tree. The tree bled in white. The arrow was shot from a short distance, He calculated with the speed and intensity of the hit. He turned towards the directions from which the arrow had come and awaited for another arrow with his chest firm. He wielded his spear and the arrow that aimed his chest broke in to two pieces with the vibrating sound of his metal spear. Within the second as the arrow broke He aimed at the direction and He knows what to hit and threw his spear.

Can a heavy weight metal travel faster than a arrow that was shoot from a fastest bow? Will it hit the aim before the target escapes?

Before all this questions got raised in the mind of the fresh man of his troop, a screaming sound of a man in pain hurled everybody’s ears. His men ran towards the sound and found a dead man on the land with a bunch of arrows in his basket and a tin of venom in his bag.

The spear went through target’s chest and penetrated the earth. He unplugged the spear and looked at one of his finest man to put the body into pyre. He collected the venom and remembered the tree that has hit by the venom dipped arrow.

Everybody went back to the tree which was bleeding. The arrow hit spot blackened and He knew that the tree would not survive and the poison could have spread all over its branch and fruits. He lifted his spear drew His hand back like a bow, said Sorry brother you will not survive and would be danger to the other lives and shoved it in the middle of the tree. The tree cracked at the middle and with the force he drew back the spear it split into two halves and fell on the ground.

He turned towards His men and grounded his Spear on the earth.

His men shouted victory to Murug, the lord of the war.

Drop of water

Like a drop of water from the drizzle wet leaf, of an autumn suffered tree, falling from the top branch to the water pool below the tree in the side of the rain washed road; your image drops from my memory branch to my heart. Ripple in my emotion pool. I lay still like an undisturbed leaves covered mud settled pond. Fishes swim as the water is clear, breeze is slow, there is no in flow or out flow of the water. And there comes the song, that reminds me of the day when our eyes met, fingers touched, magic happened, as a meteor from the sky, from outside the earth, part of the planet that earth doesn’t owns, and falls into the pond stirring the water, disturbing the fishes, causing the mud to unsettle and heating up the wind around. Life gives diamond that is selected, cut, shaped, and sharpened so that you could cherish for the life time. All that you need to do is protect, love, and polish. You throw it in the pool of glass pieces, fake diamonds and ice cubes. Searching the given diamond is painful because glass pieces hurts the fingers, ice cubes numbs the hand and when you pick one from the collection thinking, even if that is not the original, will behave like a diamond and try to place it near your chest, all you will do is bleed.