Road to Doom
Introduction
Long ago, the frontier of Nepal was frequently invaded by a notorious gang of dacoits. They plundered villages and killed anyone who attempted to stop them. One day, the gang entered Nepal with the intention of robbing a wealthy merchant, whose daughter’s marriage was to take place that very evening. Their goal was to steal the jewellery and valuable items that the merchant had likely prepared as gifts for his daughter. However, the gang was unaware of how to reach Falana, the merchant’s village.
The Encounter
On the border of Nepal lived a lonely shepherd. The gang approached him and asked, “Do you know the way to Falana?”
“I do know,” replied the shepherd.
“Is it true that the rich merchant of that village is performing the marriage of his daughter tonight?” the gang demanded to know.
The shepherd quickly understood the gang’s intentions and felt anxious for the merchant’s safety. He responded, “As far as I know, what you heard is true.”
Leading the Way
“Listen, we want to proceed to the merchant’s house. Now, show us the way!” ordered the chief of the gang.
“I can describe the way to you, but you must go by yourselves,” said the shepherd meekly.
“That won’t do! You must lead the way yourself!” shouted the chief.
“But how can I? My cow is about to give birth to a calf. I cannot leave my cottage today!” grumbled the shepherd.
“You fool!” screamed the chief. “Do you think it’s up to you to decide whether you come with us? We are determined to plunder the merchant’s house. We have to reach there somehow. If you refuse to guide us, we will kill you and find another guide. On the other hand, if you obey us, you will be richly rewarded.”
A Reluctant Agreement
After some thought, the shepherd replied, “I would prefer to lead you there than to die at your hands. But why do you want to go right now? The marriage will take place at midnight. You should time your arrival so that you’re there just when the ornaments are brought out for display on the marriage platform. If you arrive earlier, they might hide the valuable things. You could kill them, but you might return empty-handed.”
The gang considered the shepherd’s advice and found it reasonable. They decided to wait until evening. They cooked a delicious meal and even shared a generous portion with the shepherd.
The Journey to Falana
The hilly region quickly became dark after sunset. The shepherd lit a torch and walked alongside the gang. At times, he guided them forward and at other times stopped to illuminate the path behind them.
The roads were narrow, with some winding below rocky overhangs and others abruptly ending at cliffs or gorges. However, the shepherd was intimately familiar with the entire region.
A thick mist hung over the hills, making it difficult for anyone to see the light from the shepherd’s torch. They had to rely solely on his verbal directions.
As they approached a particularly dangerous path, the shepherd led them forward until they reached a sudden drop into a deep chasm. Standing aside, he shouted, “Go ahead, quickly! We must reach Falana before midnight!”
Urged on by the chief, the gang hastened their pace, and each member fell headlong into the chasm. Only the last few slowed down, but the shepherd pushed them forward, and they too followed suit.
The Aftermath
The shepherd then changed his route and soon reached Falana. He recounted his adventure to the marriage crowd. Some listeners believed him, while others were skeptical. The next morning, the merchant and several villagers rode with the shepherd to the chasm, where they found the entire gang lying dead on the sharp rocks below.
The clever shepherd was not only rewarded generously by the merchant but also honored by the king. The villagers rejoiced at being rid of the notorious gang of plunderers.