Myths, folklore and things that speak in symbols can be interpreted in so many ways. Often the actual image is clear enough but the interpretation is infinitely blurred, a sort of enormous rainbow of every possible color you can imagine. ~ Diana Wynne Jones (British writer of fantasy novels).
Prompt ….
Thank you J.S. Brand for our photo prompt!
Nobody knows when and why the staircase was built. However, it was hidden in a dense forest and people outside had no knowledge of its existence. Deep inside the forest, nearly 2000 people lived in 10-12 villages. Till very recently they had no contact with the outside world and could meet their needs through their skills and knowledge – garnered over many thousand years. They attribute their good luck to the fertility shaft – the official staff of the tribal chief. It was a just sturdy living branch of some tree and its circumference was wreathed by glistening green leaves; new twigs sprouted from its brownish golden bark.
A few years ago a team of archeo-ethnobotanists reached this valley. They especially investigated the fertility shaft and called it a living branch of Kalp-taru*. One day a helicopter picked them up and they vanished along with the fertility shaft.
Soon the forest withered away and the stairway provides an easy access to the villages to many exploiters.
Words <175
*Kalpa-taru is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hindu mythology. It is mentioned in Sanskrit literature from the earliest sources. It is also a popular theme in Jain cosmology and Buddhism.
Thank you Priceless Joy
How sad! They were doing just fine until the exploiters came and took their priceless shaft! Great story, YS!
Thank you PJ. 🙂
According to our (Hindu) mythology, the Kalpavriksha will appear only to the deserving ones. Someone in the research team is indeed lucky. Well written, YS.
Yes that is the myth. Thanks for adding to this post.
What horrible ethics, to take away the tribe’s sacred staff. I hope the elder spirits, or whatever magic rules this area, curses them for their misdeeds.
There are many such places in the world which became accessible in last 2 -3 decades. The original people had a lot of wealth in terms of ancient knowledge and natural resources. These have been exploited by all types.
Many thanks for the interest.
It seems that even if the majority of people are kind and good-intentioned, it only takes a few people who are selfish and exploitative to ruin things for everyone else. Sad commentary.
Excellent story! Ancient knowledge and natural beauty destroyed by greed. 😦
So true and unfortunate. Thank you for the appreciation.
Very imaginative story for this prompt. They will explore and with their greed spoils everything.
They have already done that in many places. This was inspired by some places I have visited. Thank you so much for the interest.
Tell us about those places please.
Remote villages in Sundarbans, Koraput, Bastar, Chhindwara districts in WB, MP, Odisha and many others. Patakot near Panchmarhi before 90s was such a place.
Encouraged by your interest. 🙂
Please do write stories about them. Thanks for reply.
I shall. Appreciate your interest. 🙂
These dang explorers have a way of spoiling things. Great take.
Often they are sponsored.
Thank you for the read and the appreciation.