An Episode in the Forest

The Tragic Murder

The chieftain of the tribal inhabitants of the forest of Singivan was brutally murdered by one of his kinsmen, Chengi. His wife, along with their infant son, Babul, narrowly escaped the clutches of the enemy, guided to safety by a faithful bodyguard of the chieftain.

A Secret Shelter

They found refuge in the home of an old villager living on the outskirts of the forest. The villager was a close friend of the murdered chieftain and kept the identity of his guests a secret.

Growing Up in Hiding

As the years went by, Babul grew into a brave and intelligent young man. However, his mother fell ill one day, and her condition worsened until she realized her days were numbered. One evening, when no one else was around, she confided in Babul, saying, “My son, you are no ordinary boy, but a prince. Your father was the chieftain of the forest of Singivan, treacherously murdered. I reveal this to you with the hope that you will one day dethrone the usurper and reclaim your rightful place.” Unfortunately, before she could finish her sentence, she passed away, leaving Babul devastated yet resolute.

A Quest Begins

Determined to fulfill his mother’s wish, Babul ventured into the forest alone one morning. Suddenly, he encountered a man riding a giraffe, adorned with the skin of a lion and a pair of horns. The giraffe-rider demanded, “Who are you?”

The Ring of Truth

Babul replied, “I am not your enemy. If you allow me to speak, I will reward you with this ring,” as he removed a ring from his finger. The stranger dismounted and, upon examining the ring, his eyes widened in astonishment. “This ring bears the symbol of our late chieftain! Where did you get it?”

Finding Allies

Babul answered, “I will explain, but not here.” The stranger, named Dingu, invited Babul to his home, where Babul revealed his identity. Dingu bowed before him, recounting how his father had once guided the chieftain’s wife and baby Babul to safety before being buried alive by the usurper Chengi.

The Tyranny of Chengi

Babul learned that Chengi had become a cruel tyrant, feared by the forest-dwellers, who despised his rule but were too terrified to oppose him. Chengi was always accompanied by a group of tantriks, believed to protect him from any threats.

Gaining Support

“What about the chief priest of the forest?” Babul inquired. Dingu informed him, “His loyalty remains with your late father.” That night, Dingu and Babul covertly met the priest, and they conspired for a long time.

The Divine Message

The next day, the priest called a gathering of prominent tribe members, including some officers allied with the usurper. “Our goddess appeared to me in a dream and instructed me that she had a message hidden in her cave. However, you must first vow to obey her wishes,” announced the priest. They all took the required oath.

The Hidden Truth

The priest led them to the cave, where they discovered folded slips of paper behind the deity. When they unfolded the slips, they were blank. Seeing this, the priest skeptically kindled a fire, while reciting the goddess’s name and instructing the leaders to hold their papers close.

Revealing the Heir

As the slips drew nearer to the flames, faint messages appeared: “The chieftain’s son, Babul, is still alive. His father’s throne must become his!” Shocked, someone questioned, “But where is Babul? Everyone believed he had perished!” At that moment, Babul emerged from the shadows, proclaiming, “Here I am!”

Proof of Royalty

There was a moment of stunned silence before one officer spoke up, “There should be a mark under your left arm—one stamped there with the royal seal at your birth. If you are the prince, reveal it!” Babul approached the fire and raised his left arm, where indeed the mark of the royal seal was visible.

The Rebellion

Before the goddess, they swore an oath to dethrone the usurper. Soon, they meticulously planned a rebellion, realizing that the proof his mother wished to share was the very mark on his arm. The slips of paper had contained the hidden message, written invisibly with onion juice, only to reveal itself in the presence of fire. Together, they would restore justice and reclaim the throne.