In the verdant Jhum fields of Arunachal Pradesh, a devoted mother set out to work, her newborn baby snugly carried on her back. As the sun climbed high in the sky, she thought of her child’s comfort and decided to help the little one sleep peacefully. She found a large banyan tree (Mn Khung) and gently wrapped her baby in a cloth, placing them in the soothing shade. The mother kept a watchful eye, glancing back frequently to ensure her baby was safe.
Suddenly, a fierce Poisah Ranghie (cyclone) erupted, shaking the trees and whipping the air into a frenzy. The powerful winds caught the child, whisking them away and leaving them tangled in the cloth high up on a branch of the banyan tree. An eagle(Laang), perched nearby and always on the lookout for an easy meal, saw this as the perfect opportunity. It swooped down and seized the child, beginning to devour the helpless little one.
|A Wancho Tribe Folktale from Arunachal Pradesh
The mother’s heart shattered as she witnessed this terrible sight. She cried out in desperation, pleading with the eagle to spare her child, but the eagle paid no heed. In her anguish, the mother begged the eagle to at least return the skull(Khusak Rang) of her child, so she could perform the last rites. Compassion stirred within the eagle, and it reluctantly dropped the skull into the mother’s waiting basket(Khing).
With tears in her eyes, the mother cradled the skull carefully and began her journey home, praying fervently for her child's life to be restored. As she walked, she crossed many rivers, stopping at each one to wash the skull, all the while whispering prayers to the gods for a miracle. Through her relentless faith and love, her child was miraculously brought back to life, filling her heart with immense joy. She thanked the gods, overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessing of her child’s revival.
However, as she approached home, she was confronted by a large python(Paujung) stretched across her path, blocking her way. The mother implored the python to let her pass, explaining that her child was hungry and trembling with cold. The python, however, was not easily swayed. It declared that it would only move if she promised to say a prayer: “Mai Leh Rei Rei, Pow Leh Jon Jon,” which means "Humans will die and snakes will shed their skin."
Determined to do anything for her child, the mother agreed without hesitation. She repeated the words of the python’s prayer, her voice strong despite her sorrow. Satisfied, the python slithered away, allowing her to continue on her journey.
This tale conveys a deep truth: while humans face the inevitability of death, snakes possess the unique ability to shed their skin and renew themselves. The mother’s prayer became a blessing for the snakes, symbolizing the interconnectedness of life and the power of a mother’s love.
Moral of the story: A mother’s love knows no bounds and can bring forth miracles, showing that true strength lies in unwavering devotion.
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