THE NEMESIS

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.....)