Whispers of the Wild
Many years ago, nestled in the foothills of the towering Everest, there was a humble village named Gatlang. Set amidst cascading terraced fields, azure skies, and peaks that touched the heavens, Gatlang was a picture of serene tranquility.
A young woman named Keshari lived in this village. She was known for her radiant beauty and compassionate heart. Her raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her eyes held the calmness and depth of the village lake. Her smile could thaw the coldest of hearts and did often, even during the fiercest winters.
Keshari lived with her father Amrit, a humble farmer who raised her single-handedly after the untimely demise of her mother. Despite encountering countless hardships, the father-daughter duo had managed to cultivate a warm bond. But Keshari felt the constant tug of a missing piece, like a lost story waiting to be discovered.
One sunny morning, Keshari was lazily swaying on a wooden swing when she saw a tattered old man approach their Waranda. He was a sight of despair, lost and disoriented. Acting on instinct, she welcomed this stranger into their home, fed him and allowed him to rest.
As the old man regained his energy, he expressed his gratitude and decided to share a secret in return for her kindness. He confessed of being a nomad who walked the earth in search of knowledge and shared lore. Hearing Keshari's story, he realized he was now endowed with a tale that she ought to know - the tale of her mother, Damayanti.
Damayanti was not a regular woman. She was a whisperer – an individual endowed with the ability to communicate with the Wild. She could take on the essence of any animal and converse with them. As Amrit was aware of the dangers that came with the gift, he decided to keep it a secret.
At first, Keshari staggered under the weight of the revelation but regained her composure. She felt the whispers calling her, deep corners of her very soul awakening to this dormant gift. Terrified but excited, she decided to explore this power, this legacy left to her by her mother.
Under the careful guidance of the old nomad, Keshari ventured into the forests, her heart pounding, but her spirit obstinate. There, she met creatures in many forms, from small insects to large herbivores, even the predators. They all spoke to her, their whispers coming alive in her mind, painting pictures she had never seen before.
It was during one of these early morning expeditions that a chilling silence struck the forest. The whispers dropped to hushed echoes. A rogue leopard had invaded their sanctuary, having strayed far from its territory in search of food. The villagers attempted to scare it away, but it only became more aggressive, causing unrest and endangering lives.
It fell upon Keshari to calm the beast. Both frightened and braving, she approached the leopard, her heart pounding like a war drum. With all the courage she could muster, she reached out with her whispers. At first, the leopard snarled, but then something miraculous happened. The aggressive leopard relaxed, its eyes reflecting Keshari's calmness. She urged him back to his homeland, promising humans would not harm him.
The news of the leopard’s peaceful exit spread across the village like wildflowers in spring. Keshari lived to become a bridge between the humans and the wild, ensuring that the balance of nature was never disrupted. The village now not only nestled in the lap of nature but also resonated with the whispers of the wild.
As the tale concludes, it is said that Keshari's whispers still echo amongst the mountains of Gatlang, a testament to the strong woman who embraced her gift and became the voice for the voiceless.