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Kathmandu
Friday, November 8, 2024

In-Law’s House

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Satya Narayan Sardar

Bholu came home and asked his mother, “Mom, where’ my in-law’s house?”

“Why are you asking such a question today, Bholu?

“My friends are talking about their in-law’s houses and dishes served there. So, I also want to go and enjoy there.”

What do they say?”

“They say they are served duck meat, pakauda curry and many more.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Well, in that case go straight following the tip of your nose and whichever village first appears in front of you is your in-law’s village.”

“Thank you.”

 Saying this, Bholu prepared to leave for his in-law’s house.

He started his journey. Unfortunately a coconut tree stood on his way. He was confused what to do. Eventually he decided to climb the tree so that he would not miss the direction. Though he climbed, he did not find another branch to step while climb down. He hanged himself holding a leaf of the coconut tree, asking for help. 

Meanwhile a mahout came  by together with a wild elephant. Bhola asked for help. The mahout disagreed saying that that had a new elephant to be trained and if he shook the tree, the elephant would run away. Bhola promised not to irritate the elephant. The mahout came under him and caught Bhola’s hanging legs. Before the mahout had caught hold of Bhola’s leg, he shook the tree. Seeing the shadow move, the elephant ran away. 

The mahout kept hanging by Bhola’s leg. 

Bhola told him to play the flute, praising mahout’s talent in doing so. The mahout denied. Bhola warned to release by leaving the leaf. The mahout agreed and played the flute with a single hand. After he had finished playing the flute, Bhola released both his hands and both of them fell on the ground. The mahout yelled in pain and burst at Bhola. 

But Bhola asked for some coin from  the mahout so that he could bring some oil to massage his body. The mahout gave him a coin. Bhola went to buy some oil in a small lidless bottle. The shopkeeper gave him full bottle of oil. Bhola asked for thapani—some additional grace. The shopkeeper told him that the bottle was full. Bhola turned the bottle upside down showing a small curved place that could accommodate a little more. When he did, all the oil spilled and flowed on the floor. The shopkeeper turned him away. 

The oil got spilled. With the little oil left in the bottle, he returned to the mahout. Bewildered, the mahout asked about the oil. Bhola told him that all he had was only the thapani. Said, the bottle was full, but as he turned it upside down, all the oil spilld out. The mahaut wanted to beat him, but Bhola escaped, running as fast as he could. 

As he took his way again, he found another tree in front of him. This time, he decided to knock down the tree with his nose. He began to hit the trunk with his nose but began to bleed. Meanwhile a pedestrian asked what he was doing. Bhola told him that he was trying to drop down the tree. The pedestrian said, “Why don’t you continue moving right or left?”

“Is that so? Well in that case, I will follow your instructions,” Bhola said and moved uttering, “Left right! Left, right! Left, right! Left, right!”

As Bhola moved ahead, he found a group of bird-catchers, trying the trap a bird, but it flew from one direction to another. Several of the catchers’ efforts had failed. One of the catchers heard the boy utter, “Left, right! Left, right! Left, right! Left, right!” and thought that he was a bad luck. He to him and slapped. Bhola started crying and asked why he had been hit. The catcher said several of their efforts had failed. Bhola asked what he could do. The catcher told him to utter the words, “Let two be stuck in a trap.” 

Bhola moved ahead uttering the same line. 

He reached a village that was gripped by an epidemic. Many persons had lost their lives. There was lack of people for funeral works. So, two dead people were being taken in a single coffin. Hearing the boy utter the line, “Let two be stuck in a trap,” one of the mourners came and slapped. Bhola began to cry and asked what was wrong. The man told Bhola to utter, “Let it never happen at any cost.” 

Bhola moved forward uttering the same line. As he reached a village, he saw some people digging a well. They were putting efforts but there was no sign of pure drinking water. Standing in one corner, Bhola kept uttering the line. One of the villagers heard him say so. He approached Bhola and slapped him. In tears, Bhola asked what he could do. The man told to enchant the line, “Let it be fast, and very quick.” Nodding his head, Bhola moved ahead. He eventually reached his in-law’s village. 

He noticed that some of the houses were in fire. People were in panic and were trying to extinguish the fire. One of the villagers saw Bhola standing at corner uttering the line. He approached Bhola, and on recognizing him, asked what he was doing. Bhola asked what to do. The man advised Bhola to put ashes into the source, wherever he saw the smoke coming out of it. He took Bhola to his in-law’s house. 

He was given a warm welcome by his in-laws. Due to the panic situation, the in-laws could not manage delicious food. They served him bamboo shoot curry. 

Next morning, as he got up, he saw his father-in-law smoking hookah and sending out curls of smoke. Remembering the advice of the person last night, he took a palmful of ashes from the dead fire and put it into the mouth of his father-in-law. He was very badly injured. Everyone scolded him. Bhola ultimately ran away.  

He remembered the lines his friends had uttered before and remembering the previous night’s dishes. He decided to memorize it so that he could tell his friends. He thought for a while and prepared a line. “Bamboo shoot instead of duck meat; shoot curry instead of pakaura.”

Memorizing and uttering, Bholu moved towards his house. Continuous uttering made him thirsty. He searched for drinking water. Meanwhile he happened to see a small pond and decided to drink water from it. As he tried to drink, he forgot the line. 

He dived into the pond uttering, “I got lost, oh God; I got lost.” At the same time a porter came and asked what he was doing. Bholu did not respond instantly. Later, he told the porter that he lost a piece of gold. The porter asked him for the share and he agreed. The porter followed Bholu uttering the same line, “I got lost, oh God; I got lost.” After some time, Bholu farted inside water producing a bad odor. The porter said, “Oh no! what did you have last night; fart inside and smells like bamboo shoot.”

Bholu remembered the line. He came out of the pond and ran towards his house uttering, “I got it; I got it.” The porter asked for his share but Bholu ran faster and faster. Later, he began to utter the line, “Bamboo shoot instead of duck meat; shoot curry instead of pakaura.” a

Trying to interpret his words, his mother prepare the meal accordingly. Bholu, on his part, was happy that he was back home safe. 

(Based on a popular Nepali tale)

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