I
It was autumn again and was
already getting cold at night. Soon, winter will set in and the chill will be
unbearable. Tarú, the mosquito sat crouching on the thatched roof of the house.
He hated this house, but now it was providing him some warmth. It was time to
leave this country - the country of Miyù, the man.
Early next morning, Tarú started
its long journey back to its own country. The adventure for this season was
over. He glided down the knitted bamboo wall, across the front veranda and into
the narrow lane. Some early risers were already heading towards their fields.
The humans in this part of the country never ceased to work.
As Tarú flew out of the village,
he glanced back, thinking “I will be back.”
As the first rays of the sun penetrated
the thick mists and touched the drying paddy stumps in the vast expanse of
fields, he had reached the periphery of the valley. As he flew higher up above
the pine trees, he could not help but admire the meandering streams flowing out
of the hills and tantalizing paths leading to the woods. He felt a wave of envy
passing through him. Miyù had set up such an orderly life.
Flying higher up, Tarú could see
the familiar resting place, the Nyatù on the ridge of the mountain.
As he came
nearer, he felt a waft of cold air and saw Tapiñ, the ice. They had been allies
as long as they could remember.
They had decided to join hands in their struggle against Miyù. Tarú
would attack Miyú in summer and Tapiñ in winter. As long as they could
remember, they crossed path twice in a year – once in the autumn and the other
in spring. Those were the occasions they would meet at the Nyatù and exchange
words.
“Hey, my friend!” Tapiñ called
out. “Good to see you!”
“Good to see you, my friend,”
Tarú said with an air of despondency.
“You don’t look too happy,” Tapiñ
said. “How have your expedition been this time?”
“As usual,” Tarú told
despondently. “I tried my best but Miyù prevailed again.”
“Let us not lose heart,” Tapiñ
tried to cheer him up. “Tell me all about it.”
“As per our plan, I took the responsibility of attacking Miyú
in summer. Since the last spring, I had been following Miyù wherever he goes. I
have followed him to the fields and forests where he works. I tried to attack
him when he is busy working, but as soon as I reach his skin, he swats with his
palm. Even the humming sounds of my flapping wings alarm him. He is too agile!”
“But he must rest sometimes!”
cried Tapiñ.
“Yes, he does,” Tarú tells. “Even
in rest, he is always alert. I cannot attack him. At night when he sleeps he
wraps himself in thick layers of cloths. I prod him with spears, but to no
avail. My spear - the proboscis, is too short. Miyù is too clever!”
“However clever he may be,” Tapiñ said. “I will finish him
this time!”
“I could not defeat him with my
long spears and short spears. I could not kill him with all the poisons I
have,” Tarú said. “You are formless and without weapon. I am afraid you may not
be able to do much.”
“I will wait for him in front of
his house and attack him with my chilly bites when he comes out,” Tapiñ said.
“I will attack him at the village well when he comes to collect water. I will
numb his limbs in the fields and freeze him to death in the forests where he
works.”
“I wish you could!” Tarú said.
“May you succeed where I failed!.”
Tarú and Tapiñ bade farewell and
agreed to meet next season again. Tarú continued its journey towards the warm
forests while Tapiñ proceeded towards the country of Miyù.
(To be continued.....)
