छातिभरि दुख्छ देश

–गोपीकृष्ण ढुंगाना

मुस्कान छर्न खोजे पनि छातिभरि दुख्छ देश,
सुसाउँदा नि सूल बनी छातिभरि दुख्छ देश ।

हँसाउने खोज्नुपर्छ, रुवाउने जताततै,
सताउने हुँदा धनी छातिभरि दुख्छ देश ।

कोमलबाट कठोर बन्छ उही मन मुटु पनि,
धोकैधोका पाउँछु अनि छातिभरि दुख्छ देश ।

अँध्यारोलाई चिर्न सधैं बोकी हिँड्छु हातमा राँको,
सूर्य रोज्छु तर पनि छातिभरि दुख्छ देश ।

पत्थरको छातिभित्र हुन्न भन्थे कत्ति माया,
संसार यस्तै रै छ भनी छातिभरि दुख्छ देश ।

कृतिहरू ः मौनताका रातहरू (गजल संग्रह), काठमाडौं गजल संग्रह (सहसम्पादन) र आफैंभित्र (प्रकाशोन्मुख गजल संग्रह)

प्रकाशोन्मुख बालसाहित्य ः फुच्चे हात्ती (बालकथा), कमिलाको डाक्टर (बालकथा संग्रह), सानी जुली (बालकथा संग्रह), आमाको माया (बालएकांकी) र कारको कल्पना (बालएकांकी)

सम्प्रति ः अन्नपूर्ण पोष्ट दैनिक (वरिष्ठ संवाददाता)
सम्प्रति ः बोडे उच्च माध्यमिक विद्यालय भक्तपुर (उपप्राध्यापक)

सम्पादक÷प्रकाशक ः काव्यकुञ्ज डट कम (अनलाइन साहित्यिक पत्रिका)

अध्यक्ष, स्थानीय विकास पत्रकार मञ्च (फोल्डेज), काठमाडौं

सचिव, सरस्वतीनगर विकास समाज, गठ्ठाघर, भक्तपुर

गौरादह–७, झापा, मेची हाल ः काव्यकुञ्ज, सरस्वतीनगर, गठ्ठाघर, भक्तपुर

मुस्ताङमा ‘मर्निङ वाक’

— गोपीकृष्ण ढुंगाना

सबेरै निद्रा खुल्यो । पहिलोपटक पुगेको हिमाल पारीको जिल्ला मुस्ताङको पहिलो रात सर्लक्कै छिचोलिएछ । जुरुक्क उठेर झ्याल खोलें । सामुन्नेको निलगिरी हिमालले घुम्टोमात्र उघारेको रहेछ । तुँवालो र बादलले अन्नपूर्णलाई त छपक्कै छोपेको रहेछ, पोथीकुखुराले चल्ला छोपेजस्तो । म हस्स परें । हिजो पनि धवलागिरी समेतले दर्शन नदिएको झोक मसँग छँदै थियो । उन्मुक्त मन एकाएक खसक्क भयो, ‘होइन, हिमाल पारीको जिल्ला मुस्ताङ आएर पनि अघाउँजी हिमाल हेर्न नपाउनु ?’
सोह्रमध्येको एउटा दुर्गम तर सुन्दर गाउँ रहेछ कोबाङ । नेपालको स्वीट्जरल्याण्ड मानिएको मुस्ताङको यो गाउँलाई हेरे पुग्नेरहेछ । नेपाली कला साहित्य डट कम प्रतिष्ठानअन्तर्गत अध्यक्ष मोमिलाले दर्जन स्रस्टालाई कलासाहित्य यात्रा २०७० मा त्यहाँ पु¥याएकी थिइन् । वर्षको पहिलो महिनाले बिदा लिएको थियो त्यहाँ पुग्दा । तीन गते शुक्रबार बिहानका लागि अघिल्लै दिन हाम्रो गाँस र बासको जिम्मा लिएका लज थासाङ भिलेज भुर्जुङकोटका प्रमुख अर्जुनसिंह तुलाचनले मर्निङ वाकको संकेत गरेका थिए । साढे पाँच भने पनि थकित स्रस्टाले बीस मिनेट ढिलो गरेरै छोडे । आहा, कस्तो मीठो स्वागत ः सामुन्ने धवलागिरी मुसुक्क हाँस्यो । सूर्यको किरण पाएको धवलागिरी हिमाल सुनझैं टल्कियो । हामी सौन्दर्यमा लुटुपुटु हुन पाएका मख्ख । मन लागेजति फोटो खिच्यौं ।
अर्जुन दाइ अघि लाग्नुभयो । सुकर्म ब्याण्डका डा. ध्रुवेशचन्द्र रेग्मी, शेखर खरेल र म पछि लाग्यौं । हामीलाई पछ्याउँदै कलाकर्मी राजन काफ्ले, सञ्चार एवं साहित्यकर्मी जयदेव भट्टराई, मणि लोहनी र ठाकुर बेलबासे पनि लम्किए । ‘ढिलो गरे मर्निङ वाक नमजा हुन्छ है, बिहानको सिरसिर हावासँगै हुइकिनुको मज्जा लिनुपर्छ है, लौ चाँडो’, अर्जुन दाइले बाटो तताउन हतार लगाउनुभएथ्यो । हामी पश्चिम हानियौं । ढुंगाको बाटो सुरु भयो । बाटोमात्र होइन, पर्खाल पनि ढुंगाकै अनि बाटोमा भेटिएको स्कुल पनि ढुंगाकै । दर्जनौं घरको बस्ती नाउरीकोट सबै ढुंगैढुंगाले बनेको । इट्टा, बालुवा, रड र सिमेन्ट नभई घर बन्दैन भन्ने मनस्थिति बनिसकेका हामीलाई यो दृष्यले फरक महसुस गरायो ।
ढुंगे बाटोमै रातै फलेको चेरीको बोटले बोलायो । तर घरधनी नभएकाले हामी मुखमा आएको थुक सुकाउँदै भाग्यौं । करिब पाँच मिनेटको भ¥याङे ढुंगे बाटोले हामीलाई छोड्यो । एकछिन दुःख लागे पनि तुरुन्तै सुखद् अनुभूति गरिहाल्यौं, किनकी घाँसे तर उकालो मैदानले स्वागत गरेको थियो । सबै कपडाका काँडे सोल भएका जुत्तामा थिए, म भने छालाको त्यो पनि चिप्ले सोलमा । आयोजकले दिएको जानकारीअनुसार कार्यक्रम स्थल सबैमा सवारीसाधन पुग्नेछ र कतै घुम्ने तालिका थिएन । मैले यही सूचनालाई आधार बनाएर कपडाको जुत्ता बोकेको थिइनँ । मर्निङ वाक गर्ने भनेपछि चाहिन्छ भन्ने थाहा भए पनि अरुका लगाउन चाहिनँ । शित छरिएको घाँसे उकालोमा छालाको जुत्ता चिप्लिन थाल्यो ।
‘हेल्थ इज वेल्थ’, अगुवा अर्जुन दाइ मर्निङ वाकको ‘प्रोमोसन’ मा लागे, ‘स्वास्थ्य राम्रो राख्न सके जीवन सर्वोत्कृष्ट बन्दोरहेछ । जवानी र पैसाको पछाडि लागेर स्वास्थ्यलाई समय नदिनेहरुको बुढेसकाल असुरक्षितमात्र होइन, अस्तव्यस्त हुँदोरहेछ ।’ हिमालको चिसो हावा र मूलको पानी पिएझैं थिए उनी । उनको सक्रियपनले पनि बताउँथ्यो, उनको स्वास्थ्य । स्वास्थ्य मानिसलाई कुनै हुरीबतासले केही गर्न नसक्दोरहेछ । पढ, पढ, पढ, कमाउ, कमाउ, कमाउ... अनि रोग कमाऊ । मीठो खाउँ भन्ने बेलामा खानै नपाउने भएपछि पो चाल पाउने । दाइका स्वतस्फूर्त निस्किरहेका वाक्यहरुले हामीलाई रोगीलाई सूईले झैं च्वास्स च्वास्स पार्दै थिए ।
‘घुर्साङपो’ को उकालो सुरु भइसकेको थियो । छेवैको आठ हजार एक सय ६७ मिटर अग्लो धवलागिरी हाम्रो मर्निङ वाकको साक्षी थियो । हाम्रो जाँगर देखेर सायद ऊ बेलाबेला मुस्कुराउँथ्यो । पहिलोपटकको उकालो मर्निङ वाकले थकाउँदा रोकिनु परेको दृष्यले सायद रिसाउथ्यो, त्यसै त्यसै बादल ओढेर गजधम्म पथ्र्यो अनुहारै लुकाएर । प्रकृतिले पनि धेरै कुरा सिकाउँदोरहेछ, हिमालले पग्लिएर र सुनामी गर्जिएर पनि हामी मानिसले धेरै ज्ञान पाएका छौं । ‘ग्लोबलाइजेसन’ को समयमा हामीले प्रकृतिबाट सिकेर स्वास्थ्य बचाउन सकेनौं भने...। पचार नाघेका अर्जुन दाइ चिट चिट पसिना काढ्दै सुनाउँदै थिए । हामी पनि अघिको चिसो बिर्साउने पसिनालाई नचाहेर पनि स्वागत गर्दै थियौं ।
घुर्साङपोले हामीलाई अग्ल्याउँदै थियो । काठमाडौंबासी हामी पनि धुँवा र धुलोको सामना गर्नु नपरेकाले अग्लिँदै थियौं । सम्म सडकको सट्टा उकालोमा स्याँ स्याँ जमाउँदै थियौं । जंगलको मध्य भागमा पुगेका हामीलाई न कुनै गाडीले दुःख दिएको थियो, विगतको मर्निङ वाकझैं । बरु थियो थासाङमा पालिएको काले (कुकुर) की काली । मर्निङ वाक निस्किएदेखि अघि लागेकी ऊ हामीलाई बाटो देखाउँदै अघिअघि लागिरही । ‘एई... उता होइन एता...’, अर्जुन दाइको स्वर र इशासालाई पछ्याउँदै कालीले मूलबाटो छोडेर दाहिने मोडी आफूलाई र हामीलाई पनि । अब सुरु भयो झनै ठाडो उकालो । जुत्ता चिप्लिएर हैरान भइसकेको मैले प्राडा तारानाथ शर्मा र उनको ‘घनघस्याको उकालो’ लाई सम्झें ।
लामो तर ठिकैको ठूटो बोकेर गोठबाट फर्किएको करिब तीसको ठिटोलाई दाहिनेपट्टि पारेर हामी चार अघि बढ्यौं । लगभग सुरुदेखि नै पछि पछि आइरहेका बाँकी चारले नभेट्दै हामी घुर्साङपोको टुप्पोमै पुग्यौं । अर्जुन दाइले उत्तरतिरको अग्लो पहाडपट्टि फर्किएर भूइँमा ढोग्नुभयो । डा. ध्रुवेश, शेखर र मैले पनि ढोग्यौं । धर्ती मातालाई कुल्चिएवापत क्षमा माग्नुपर्ने प्रसंग निस्कियो । झन्डै आकाशलाई छुन आँटेकोजस्तो अग्लो पहाडका चार पाँच ठाउँबाट स—साना झरना हेर्दै रमाइरहेका हामीलाई क्षणभरमै अर्जुन दाइले ओशोतिर मोड्नुभयो । त्यतिञ्जेलमा सबै भेला भइसकेका थियौं । ४५ मिनेटको उकालो चढेर थाकेका हामीलाई फोटो खिच्ने उत्साहले राहत दियो । ओरालो झर्ने समय सुरु भयो तर मलाई अबको ओरालो सामना गर्ने सामाथ्र्य दिएको थिएन जुत्ताले ।
‘घुर्साङपोलाई ‘ओशो डाँडा’ मा परिणत गरेका छौं, यो हामीले सन् २०११ नोभेम्बर ११ का दिन घोषणा गरेका थियौं’, अर्जुन दाइले नयाँ नाम राख्नुको कारण हामी सबैलाई सुनाउनुभयो, ‘ओशो साहित्यले ज्ञानी र शक्तिशाली बनाउनेरहेछ, ठूलो मान्छे त बनाउँदैन तर असल र गुनिलो बनाउनेरहेछ । कम्तिमा जीवनको मूल्य र मान्यता सिकाउँदोरहेछ, बढाउनेरहेछ ।’ डा. ध्रुवेशले आफू पनि ओशोको दर्शनबाट प्रभावित भएको बताउनुभयो । एकैछिनको मौन हिँडाइमा हामीले चराचुरुंगीका चिरबिर सुन्यौं, मोहित भयौं । सल्लाले आधिपत्य जमाएको घुर्साङपोमा ओरालो यात्राको कामना गर्दै सुसेली हालिरह्यो, सायद बिदाइको क्षण ठानेर सुस्केरा पनि । फरक बाटो फर्किन पाएकोमा केहीबेर खुसीको तालमा पौडिएको मेरो अब भने सुकेर झरेका सल्लाका पात र ठाडो ओरालोले सातो उडायो । तल हेरेकोे त मुटु नै थरर भयो ।
उकालोमा साथ दिने दाइ ध्रुवेशको हात च्याप्प समातें र म अघि लागें । शेखर दाइले राजनजीलाई अघि लाग्न सल्लाह दिनुभयो । बीचमा दुईतिर हात समातेको म दुई मिनेट मुस्किलले ओरालिएँ । दुर्घटना हुनुअघि जोगिनु राम्रो भन्ने लागेर जुत्ता खोलेर घुमाउरो ओरालो ओर्लिएँ । ‘दुःख पाइस् मंगले आफ्नै ढंगले’ भनेझैं बेलामा बुद्धि नपुग्दा तिखा ढुंगामा बाह्रैमास जुत्ता लगाएर कलिला बनेका पैताला घोचाउँदै हिँडें । मलाई मानसिक रुपमा साथ दिने दाइहरुले भन्नुभयो, ‘बिहान खाली खुट्टा हिँड्नु एकदमै राम्रो कुरो हो । यसको अनुभूति जुत्ताचप्पल लगाएर हिँड्नेले कहाँ पाउनु ?’ हामीले नचिनेका थुप्रै जातजातिका रुख र बुट्यानलाई समात्दै छोड्दै ओरालो ओर्लिरह्यौं । ओइलाएका लालीगुँरासका दर्जनौं बोट देख्दा लाग्थ्यो, जवानी चुसेर बुढी भएका वेश्याको पनि हालत यही हो । फुलेको मौसम भए हामी नै गाउँथ्यौं होला, म त लालीगुँरास भएछु...।
आधा घण्टा ओर्लिएपछि समथर फाँट देखियो । नदेखिने खोलाको छङछङ आवाजले यात्रामा संगीत भरेको आभास भयो । झुलुक्क देखिने घामले हिमालाई घरीघरी जिस्क्याउँथ्यो । फाँटबाट देखिएको हिमाल पग्लिएर स—साना झरना झरेझैं लाग्यो । केहीबेर जौ र आलु बारीसँग लुकामारी खेल्दै मर्निङ वाक हिड्यौं । पुनः ढुंगे बाटोले स्वागत ग¥यो । मैले पनि टेरिनँ, जुत्ता नलगाएरै भ¥याङजस्तो ढुंगे बाटोलाई कुल्चिरहें । थासाङ भिलेज पुगेर गिजर घुमाउँदै मज्जाले नुहाएँ, डेढ घण्टे उकालोओरालोका पसिना सारा पखालें । जीवनमा मर्निङ वाक धेरै ठाउँमा धेरै हिँडें तर यस्तो जीवन्त स्वाद पहिलोपटक महसुस गरें । शरीर दिनभर चंगा बनेर उडिरह्यो ।

INLS, Formosa Chapter, Taipei, Taiwan                        PRAYAS Online Bi-Monthly                              Volume: 3                             Issue: 4                          Number: 22             July - August. 2013
अ. ने. सा. स. फर्मोसा च्याप्टर,  ताइपेई, ताइवान      प्रयास अनलाइन å}dfl;s          बर्:ष ३        अंक: ४          संस्करण: २२        जुलाई - अगस्त २०१३ 117

INLS, Formosa Chapter, Taipei, Taiwan                        PRAYAS Online Bi-Monthly                              Volume: 3                             Issue: 4                          Number: 22             July - August. 2013
अ. ने. सा. स. फर्मोसा च्याप्टर,  ताइपेई, ताइवान      प्रयास अनलाइन å}dfl;s          बर्:ष ३        अंक: ४          संस्करण: २२        जुलाई - अगस्त २०१३ 118

Garib Pashupatinath

Sthaniya Chunab

प्रज्ञाप्रतिष्‍ठानका कम्प्युटरलाई छाता !

गोपीकृष्ण ढुंगाना
काठमाडौं : कमलादीस्थित नेपाल प्रज्ञाप्रतिष्ठानको भवन कति जीर्ण भइसकेको छ भने वर्षाका बेला कर्मचारीले काम छोडेर ओत लाग्नुपर्ने अवस्था छ। पानी चुहिने समस्याबाट कर्मचारीलाई धेरै सकस भए पनि समाधानतर्फ व्यवस्थापन पक्ष उदासीन छ। ‘पानी दर्केपछि कागजपत्र र किताब बटुलेर कुनातिर ओत लाग्नुपर्छ भने कम्प्युटरलाई छाता ओढाउनुपर्ने अवस्था छ’, प्राज्ञ बुँद रानाले भने।
प्रतिष्ठान भवन चुहिन थालेको बर्सौं भइसकेको छ। भवनको पूर्वीदक्षिण भागको बरन्डामा पानी चुहिन्छ। कर्मचारी कार्यकक्षको उत्तर लङबाट पनि पानी चुहिने गरेको रानाले बताए।
तत्कालीन कुलपति राजा महेन्द्रले २०१४ सालमा प्रज्ञाप्रतिष्ठान स्थापना गरेका थिए। प्रतिष्ठान भवन भने २०२६ सालमा निर्माण भएको थियो। ११ वर्षअघि सार्क शिखर सम्मेलनका लागि सामान्य मर्मत भएको थियो। त्यसपछि मर्मतसम्भार भएको छैन। रानाका अनुसार भवनको एक दर्जनभन्दा बढी ठाउँबाट पानी चुहिने गरेको छ। कुलपतिको कार्यकक्ष पनि चुहिने समस्याबाट मुक्त छैन।
भवन निर्माणसँगै जडान गरिएका करिब डेढ दर्जन एअरकुलर काम नलाग्ने भएका छन्। प्राज्ञ विष्णु प्रभातले भने, ‘भवनसामुन्ने बनाइएको पोखरीको पानीसँग सम्बन्ध गराएर कुलर चलाइएको थियो। एक दशक भएछ, पोखरी पनि सुकेको छ। फोहोरा चल्दैन। कुलर पनि चल्दैनन्।’
प्रतिष्ठानको मुख्य हलमा जडित साउन्ड सिस्टमले पनि काम गर्दैन। कार्यक्रम सञ्चालनका क्रममा झकिझकाउ र झिलिमिली बनाउनुपर्ने भए पनि सामान्य रूपमा जडान भएका बत्तीसमेत सबै बल्दैनन्।
एक कर्मचारीले भने, ‘आयोजक आफैंले साउन्ड सिस्टम ल्याएर काम चलाउँछन्। एकपटकको कार्यक्रमलाई पचासौं हजार तिरे पनि बिजुलीबत्तीको पूर्ण व्यवस्था छैन।’ तेस्रो तलामा कुलरका सामग्री यत्रतत्र छरिएका छन् भने पुराना कुर्सी, सोफा र टेबुल पनि लथालिंग छन्। ती कर्मचारीले भने, ‘भवन जति जीर्ण छ, यहाँका अन्य सामान पनि त्यस्तै छन्।’
प्राज्ञ प्रभात तत्कालीन राजाले निजी सम्पत्ति लगानी गरी बनाइदिएको भवनलाई सरकारले मर्मत गर्न नसक्नु दु:खद् भएको बताउँछन्। उनले भने, ‘छुट्ट्याइएको बजेटको झन्डै ९० प्रतिशत प्राज्ञ र कर्मचारी तलबभत्तामै जाने भएकाले मर्मतका लागि रकम पुग्दैन।’
उपकुलपति गंगाप्रसाद उप्रेतीले प्रतिष्ठानको भवन पुनर्निर्माण गर्न अढाइ करोड रुपैयाँ आवश्यक पर्ने बताए। भवन पुनर्निर्माण तथा मर्मतसम्भारका लागि आवश्यक बजेटका सम्बधमा मन्त्रिपरिषद् अध्यक्ष खिलराज रेग्मी र संस्कृतिमन्त्री रामकुमार श्रेष्ठलाई भेटेर ध्यानाकर्षण गराइएको छ। रेग्मी प्रतिष्ठानका संरक्षक र मन्त्री श्रेष्ठ सहसंरक्षक हुन्। भवन चुहिएको देखेपछि मन्त्री श्रेष्ठले केही समयअघि तत्काल बजेट निकासा गर्ने आश्वासन दिएका थिए। उप्रेतीले भने, ‘अढाइ करोड रुपैयाँ विनियोजन गरिदिने आश्वासन दिनुभएको थियो तर रातो किताबमा कतै देखिएन।’
संस्कृति मन्त्रालयको संस्कृति महाशाखाका प्रमुख भरतमणि सुवेदीले जायज माग आगामी दिनमा पूरा गरिने बताए।

sahid budget party maa

A Doctor of Ants

A  Doctor of Ants

                                                                                                              -  Gopi Krishna Dhungana

It was 9 o’clock in the morning. Riyaj, as usual, was waiting for the school bus sitting on the brick platform around the house. His father also was with him. Riyaj looked around, and saw a cordon of ants. Some of the ants crawled on his legs and others on his hands. He began shaking the ants    off his hands and legs.

After a while,Riyaj began to poke the row of ants with a twig. He was enjoying it. Most of the ants were moving on a queue. The morning sunlight was warm. Riyajasked,“Daddy, where are these ants goingto?” Teasingly, his father said,“Might be going to school as you do.” The first grader Riyaj again curiously asked,“Do ants have schools too? How about their school bus?” His father laughed and responded, “May be they are going to play some games or might be in search of food in group.”

Riyaj wished to play with them when he saw many ants. He began poking them. Those ants dispersed as he poked them. They started running hither and thither. Some of them whispered by joining their mouth together. “Riyaj! Why are you poking those creatures? They are trying to hide themselves thinking that their enemies have invaded them. We shouldn’t trouble them during their hard times,” Father said.

As Riyaj stopped prodding them, the ants, in single file, walked along their path. The frolicking Riyaj, oncemore, disturbed the ants’ movement. Father tried to convince him, “ Riyaj! Don’t disturb them. They might bite you”. In reality, Riyaj is not a mischivious boy at all. Nevertheless, an urge came from within to goad those ants that were walking on a line like students singing national anthem in school. His habit is to do the things that he likes. Once again, he goaded those ants. The ants dispersed.

An ant climbed over his hand. Riyaj didn’t notice it in the beginning but only then when it reached to his throat. He touched the little insect. A nasty sting it gave to Riyaj as it was perturbed. Riyajshouted out. His father, who was talking to a neighbor, frantically asked, “What happened to you Riyaj?” Riyaj took the ant out of his neck, put it on his hand and said, “This ant stung me”. “I had already reminded you not to disturb the ants’ movement. You didn’t obey,” Father said.

The school bus had not arrived yet. There is a regular coincidence that the bus arrives late when Riyaj is on time and the bus is early when he is late. Never ant-bitten earlier, Riyajwept bitter tears of pain. Saliva from mouth and mucus from nostrils did flow. The dispersed ants were moving around. The neck- touching small Riyajwas furious. He gave a kick to an ant with his leather shoes. The wounded ants began fidgeting about. But the ant didn’t produce any sound of weep. “Why hasn’t the ant cried?” Riyaz asked. “Why have you trampled the ant underfoot?” Father asked. He further said, “Ant doesn’t weep as human beings. But, see, he is feeling extreme pain. He doesn’t have father as you have to soothe him. Now, he can’t walk anymore”.

The injured ant alone fidgeted in pain for a while. Then his friends saw him. One by one they came to him, touched him and went away. But nobody could soothe him. They neither took him with them nor stayed together with him. Riyaj’s heart was overpowered with love to see everything that was going on. He tried to touch that injured ant with love. But he did retreat his hand back that he recalled its sting some minutes ago. Father said, “Riyaj, see this ant is under severe pain. What happens if he dies? Where do his children find their loving father?” Riyajbegan to weep when he heard everything from his father. He frantically asked, “What shall we do then, father?”

As father kept mum, Riyaj found a wayout, “Dad! Can’t our doctor uncle treat perfectly to this ant? Let’s take him for treatment”. “Doctor applies treatment to animals but not to ants”, father said. “Dad! I will never tread on ants today onwards”, Riyajmade a promise with a sense of regret. The ant was wriggling about on the brick platform around the house. Riyaj felt sad to see the ant fiddling about.

Riyaj went on asking questions as follows- “Which hospital do ants go to when they fall sick? Which medical do they buy medicine from? Do ants possess an ambulance?” Riyaj grew apathetic about going to school that he was sentimental about the ant’s agony. He insisted, “Dad! Let’s take this ant to consult the ant’s doctor.” In the meantime, the bus blew its horn. Father said, “Mydear child! Nowhere there is ant’s doctor. Human beings should protect and look after all creatures. See, the ant, you had trampled, died. Forget that ant. Your bus arrived. You ought to go to your school.”  But Riyaj had no interest at all to go to school.

Translated by Suresh Hachekali

A bird holding an Umbrella

By Gopi Krishna Dhungana

Aastha’s parents were in a field for cultivation. Aastha and her younger brother were helping their grandmother to cook some delicious food for their parents who were busy in field. Grandmother was preparing the white rice (chamre) with some pumpkin vegetable.  As, Aastha’s father mostly like the sour and spicy food, her grandmother was especially trying to make a best and yummy food for them.

Aastha and her brother study in a local school in III grade which is quite nearer from their house. They eagerly want to watch how their parents are cropping at ‘Besie’. So, they were just acting in front of their grandmother for making her agree to go in Bessie. But instead Grandmother responded to Aastha completely turned out this way – “Aastha just sit at home with Ashish, it’s about to rain”, adding, “If you will go, then definitely Ashish will be also asking to come along with us” Grandmother tried to make Aastha agree with her. However Aastha rejected whatever her grandmother said and was repeating the same words again and again. “We all will go in Besie and will eat together”, she said.

At last Grandmother was tired of Aastha and Ashish. Indeed she takes them along with her. Aastha and Ashish followed their grandmother with full of joyous and cheeriness. Grandmother carried the food. She makes Aastha to carry water in a small jug whereas Ashish a glass. Holding Ashish’s hands grandma moved forward. Aastha said “OK you guys can go on; I am grown up now… I can come”. As, she was saying she slipped into mud and then to wheat field. The water she had carried for her parents in order to wash hands and drink, it all got spoiled to floor.

Grandmother started to scold her. She was screaming and saying “In the middle of field, where could I get the water”. By making them to look after the food, grandmother went and she brought the water from neighbor house. She screamed to kids in a loud voice: - “These kids are not listening to me, Oh God!”. Holding the food and water, grandmother moved forward to the destination whereas Aastha and Ashish just shut their mouth in a whole journey.

“Huh huh Tare”, pinching the tail of an Ox, father said.Oh how could you guys did not get slipped into mud… At that time Grandmother was slightly giving a smile. “Mum I am also coming to grow a wheat”, Aastha mentioned joyfully. Father was kidding with his son, “Do you want to give a try to grow a crop?” Ashish asked his father, what happened to your face?, your clothes are wet as well; Ashish was asking it by seeing the clothes and face of his father. Suddenly mother came out over there to spend some quality of time together with her family while eating. Then they started to eat, five individuals were sitting together to eat the food. Aastha and Ashish had never tried the food of farming and fielding before that’s why they said astonishingly “Mmmm Yummy..really we never have had imagined before that the food of field is going to be this much tastier...Really amusing food grandma”. Grandmother added, “If you would have worked until now since morning then it could have become more delicious,” adding, “No worries after all you guys ate it happily.”

The cloud was turning darker and becoming blacker. However, they have already finished their meal, at the same time the rain started to fall on the floor. Both women (Grandmother and mother) started to put their shawl on their head. Likewise, father started to wrap the plastic on head, and then he gave one umbrella to Aastha and Ashish. They all tried their best to protect themselves from the rain. However the rain was falling more heavily. While everybody was sitting silently grandma just said “See both of you are soaking now” when I said to sit at home, you did not listen to me, now you both are paying for it.” No matter how much they are trying to protect from the rain but due to wind as well as rain all of them were soaking.

Flying Birds were returning to their shelter because of the darkness. Some of them were coming to stay with them though. This all was happening due to the heavy rain and storm. Even the birds are trying to express their sad feelings because of weather. However after a certain time stepwise step they kept moving forward to their roof. But unfortunately one baby bird was not been able to move ahead, it was fully wetted and soaked badly. Babybird was not being able to move from there. Watching the view Aastha cannot control her feelings towards the bird so she rushed out and started to show him (baby bird) great affection. As, she was touching the baby bird, her father said: - “Aastha, don’t touch it...Will bite you”...After hearing father’s words she came back.

“Daddy why birds are not carrying an umbrella with them?”, Aastha asked in a curious way adding, “Why his parents left him alone in this condition?” She directly went to protect that baby bird – “what are you doing Aastha?” Her father replied in astonishing manner. “Here, your brother and you are soaking but rather thinking this what are you staring and concerning about?”  All of a sudden, her daddy scolded her,” Aastha how birds are going to take an umbrella with them?” Although the sun is shining or rain is falling down on the surface they never carry an umbrella with them. They even don’t know the meaning of an Umbrella my dear daughter.”

“Well to be honest I don’t believe you dad, see when I cover them by an umbrella they become so happy can’t you figure it out” soaked Aastha said and started to talk with her mother “ Could you please buy an umbrella for this little baby birds, otherwise I will give my own umbrella.” Aastha’s mother tried to explain her politely- Aastha birds are never going to take or carry an umbrella with them …-“what kind of bird is this, not wearing an umbrella” Aastha replied randomly.  To clear the misconception of Aastha’s feelings Grandmother said, “You cannot gain and achieve all the knowledge from school, god has created this creature in such a way that they couldn’t wear anything in their body neither they have sense of thinking style like us. Not only birds but including cow and elephant except human beings no else has permitted by god to wear anything in their body. They are not aware of being wearing and covering their body from rain. This is the rules that god has innovated in this whole world.”

Suddenly, the rain stopped, the drop of water on the floor was slowly disappearing itself. Instead of raining, the wind started to blew in an unconditional way. While everyone was fully surprised of changing weather, an umbrella blew off far way. Fortunately the baby bird went to sat on a stick part of it. Then Aastha and her brother clapped their hands in an extreme way by saying- “Baby bird is holding an umbrella J umbrella…Wahoo, Hurray, yeah we won it”...Aastha’s grandmother, father and mother spoke at a same time saying:- “What a Surprise!”….Grandmother was totally astonished and shocked and she added: - Baby bird really carried an umbrella in reality.”

Altogether they raised their voice….hahahahhha J yeah yeah “A BIRD HOLDING AN UMBRELLA”.

(The original story is in Nepali language and translated by Shusma Sapkota)

I will be God

I will be God

—   Gopi krishna Dhungana

Anchit does not want anything, except cartoon. Neither food nor water, either friends or parents. Parents don't get any chance to watch news if there is Anchit in front of the television. He holds the remote all the  times and changes cartoon channels like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Cbbiz, Disney and so on.

Father comes home late from the office, they have their dinner late. So Anchit has the habit of sleeping late. He doesn't like to sleep if he gets chance to watch T.V.

"Early to bed and Early to rise

Makes a man healthy and wise"

Parents  always remind the rhyme to Anchit. Anchit reads in grade two in a Montessori School. He is very clever. But he pretends as if he did not understand the parents saying.

Maternal grandfather brought some new clothes to Anchit while he came back from Brindaban of India. Anchit looked like Lord Krishna  when he wore the clothes. Anchit becomes more happy when he's with his mother.

One day his father was laying on the couch. Anchit came through and sat on his father's chest in meditating position. Seeing the activity and the style of her son, mother told," Wow! Anchit you really look like Lord Krishna. From now, our son is god". All the activities  of Anchit  were different than other children. He used to act like a god when he visited the temples with his parents. Sometimes he really looked like god.

One day Anchit got up late. He was vey late for breakfast. Both father and mother were dressing him up. Mother made Tiffin for him and father put all the stationeries in the bag. Anchit was very unhappy, so parents tried to make him laugh. To save him from the sun, father put some sunscreen on the face and hands of Anchit. Mother put some hair- oil on his head and black Tika on his forehead.

Some days ago Anchit had told 'I didn't want to put the black tika, none of my friends put it.' Mother told  ' You look very cute with this black tika, It also saves you from people's ill eye'. Hearing this he was very happy.  After some days he was even more happier. He said his mother,' My teacher told me I  look very good with  black tika. ' Father was listening to their conversation. Then he said,' now its my turn to put you tika my son.' But Anchit objected and told, 'No. I'll put it myself, please.'

Anchit went to the dressing table and returned after some time. He had put tika very differently than other days. Upright, left, right and every where.. Mother shouted angrily,' Oh Anchit! what did you do?' Let me wipe the mess.' Father also asked,'What is this, Anchit?' Then Anchit replied,' I want  to be god father.'

'Oh so you are copying from the cartoon, Krishna and Balaram.'You are already late for school. Come on I'll wipe it up.' Mother said, 'I'll wipe it myself.' said Anchit and again went to the room. He came after a while, his tika was smeared all over his forehead. Seeing the activity of Anchit, father became stunned. Mother showed him on the mirror an told,' you are looking like a ghost'. Anchit began to cry.

Father remembered,' the meaning of Anchit is 'worshipable' as given by the priest. His habits were really good except some of them.  He's really like a god. After wiping the smeared forehead mother lured Anchit,' son you are like a god for us.' Anchit wiped his tear and replied happily, 'if  I am like a god then come here.' Then father and mother came nearer to Anchit. Anchit put his hand on their head and told,' I am a god and my blessing is with you both.'

Translated by : Harihar Timilsina

हरिवंश आचार्य, टेन्सनै टेन्सन र चिना हराएको मान्छे

हरिवंश आचार्य, टेन्सनै टेन्सन र चिना हराएको मान्छे
- गोपीकृष्ण ढुंगाना
प्रत्येक वर्ष आजका दिन पत्नी मीराको जन्म दिन मनाउँथें । तर आज दोस्रो पुण्यतिथि मनाएर आएँ । उनलाई रातो सारीमा रंगीन रूपमा देख्थें । तर आज पहेलो रंगले पूजा गरेर आएँ । घरमा बाहिर छोरो थियो, म कोठाभित्र भक्कानिइरहेको थिएँ । दुःखबीच आज अर्को सुख मिसिएको छ । आज मेरो किताब निस्किएको छ, चिना हराएको मान्छे।  यस मानेमा म खुसी छु ।
म आफू खुसीले जन्मेको मान्छे होइन । बुबाआमाको रूचीले जन्मिएको । जन्मेपछि घस्रिनै पर्दोरहेछ, दौडनै पर्नेरहेछ । बुबालाई छोरा चाहिएकाले जन्मिएको रहेछु म । जन्में, उहाँहरूका लागि म एउटा ‘सन’ जन्मिएँ तर म मेरा लागि ‘टेन्सन’ मा छु । मलाई नजन्माइदिएको भए बुबाआमाप्रति दोब्बर कृतज्ञ हुने थिएँ । सानैमा आमा बित्नुभयो । आमा, बुबा दिदीहरू जसले जतिबेला देखे पनि पढ् भन्ने । पढ्न भनेपछि मलाई रिस उठ्ने । मन नपर्ने वस्तु थियो मलाई पुस्तक । आँखा अक्षरमा हुन्थे, तर मन चंगा, लट्टाई र गुच्चामा हुन्थ्यो । जसलाई किताब देख्दा ‘टेन्सन’ हुन्थ्यो ऊ आज किताब लेख्ने लेखक भएको छ । जसमा लेखकको कल्पनासम्म थिएन। जीवनजस्तै किताब पनि ‘टेन्सन’ ले भरिएको छ ।
मन परेको मान्छे नपाउँला कि भनेर ‘टेन्सन’ । नपाए झुण्डिएर मर्छु भन्ने ‘टेन्सन’ । पाएपछि छोराछोरी नहुने हो कि भनेर ‘टेन्सन’ । त्यसपछि हुर्काउने, पाल्ने ‘टेन्सन’ । मानिस चेतनशिल प्राणीभन्दा जनावार भएको भए हुन्थ्योजस्तो लाग्यो । तर जब टेलिभिजनमा एनिमल प्लानेट हेरें तब भेजेटेरियन मानिने ‘नडराउनु नबिराउनु’ भन्ने सिद्धान्तमा बाँचेको मृगलाई समेत ‘टेन्सन’ हुने गरेको पाएँ । लखेटेको र मारेको भयवह दृष्यले झनै ‘टेन्सन’ थप्यो । तपाईहरूलाई लाग्ला, जंगलको राजा बाघलाई के टेन्सन ? तर होइन, उसलाई जति ‘टेन्सन’ बुढेसकालमा अरूलाई हुँदैन रहेछ ।
जलचर प्राणी भए राम्रो होजस्तो लाग्यो । तर माछा भागाभाग गरेको र गोही पनि अक्टोपसले हत्याउँदा त्यहाँ पनि ‘टेन्सन’ भेटें । अनि आकाशमा स्वतन्त्र भएर उड्ने चरा भए बेश जस्तो लाग्यो । तर बाजले झम्टिएको दृष्य अनि गुलेलीको निशानाबाट बचिरहनुपर्ने दृष्यले झनै ‘टेन्सन’ बनायो । अनि गुँडमा बस्दा पनि सर्पले डसेर मार्ला भन्ने डर। सबैलाई ‘टेन्सन’ रहेछ । सोच्दै गएँ, यी सबैको सृष्टिकर्ता देवता हुन् । तर देवता पनि रहस्यकै विषय लाग्छ मलाई । कसैले भेटेको प्रमाण छैन । छैनन् मान्दिनँ भन्दा पनि बिगार्देलान् भन्ने ‘टेन्सन’ । करले देवता छन् जस्तो लाग्छ । त्यसैले देवतासँग कहिल्यै कामना गरिनँ, केही मागिनँ । भन्दाभन्दै पनि मीरालाई बचाउन जीवनमा एकपटक देवताको चाकडी गरें । यति चाकडी गरें कि मन नलागे पनि उनको जीवनको माग गरें । तर तिनले छिनेर लगिदिए ।
मीरा बचाउन डाक्टर, आफन्त र शुभचिन्तक सबैले सघाए । तर केही सीप लागेन कसैको । गाली गरेर देवतालाई कविता लेखें,
अर्को जन्ममा देवता हुन्छु
देवताहरूलाई मान्छे बनाउँछु
तिमेरूको चिना आफैंले लेख्छु
भएजति दशा तिमेरूलाई खन्याउँछु
सानो हुँदै टुहुरो बनाउँछु
जन्मस्थलबाट उठिबास लगाउँछु...
मलाई मेरो किताब लेख्न सघाउने र सम्पादनमा सहयोग पुयाउने दुवैले हरिवंश जिद्दी छ भने । मैले किताबमा यो कविता पनि राखौं भनें तर उनीहरूले मानेनन् । त्यसैले यहाँ सुनाएको । म त अझै पनि भन्छु यो कविता किताबमा हाल्नैपर्छ । बुबा पण्डित भएकाले मेरो चिना लेख्नुभएको थियो । तर सानैमा कसैले चोरिदियो । संसारमा सबैभन्दा भाग्यमानी पनि ठान्छु आफूलाई अनि अभागी पनि हुँ संसारको । सानैमा आमा गुमाएँ । दुःखी भएँ । त्यस्तै माया गर्ने दिदीहरू पाएँ, खुसी भएँ । सानैमा फेरि बुबालाई गुमाएँ अनि दुखी भएँ । तर बुबाजस्तै माया गर्ने छोराहरू पाएको छु, खुसी छु । मदनकृष्ण श्रेष्ठजस्तो सर्वश्रेष्ठ व्यक्ति साथी पाएँ, झनै खुसी छु । यो मेरो ठूलो भाग्य हो । तर के गर्ने मैले माया गर्ने अनि मलाई माया गर्ने मीरा गुमाएँ । सायद यति ठूलो पीडा अरू के होला ? त्यसैले पनि अभागी म। तर पुनः रमिला पाठक भेट्टाएँ । उस्तै माया गर्ने । यस मानेमा म भाग्यमानी । मीराकै प्रतिमूर्ति बनेर आएकी छिन् रमिला ।
डेढ वर्षसम्म अत्यन्तै तनावमा रहें । एक्लो भएँ । म मृत्युको नजिक पुगें । धेरैले अर्की बिहे गरेको अझ प्रेम रहेछ रमिलासँग पनि भने । पर्नेलाई थाहा हुन्छ यस्तो पीडा कति भयंकर हुन्छ भनेर । कि मैले डिप्रेसन रोज्नुपथ्र्यो कि मृत्यु । कि त विवाह गर्नुपथ्र्यो । मैले विवाह रोजें । मैले रोजेकै मान्छे हो रमिला । हतारमा निर्णय गरें हुँला तर राम्रै गरें भन्ने लागेको छ । कलाकार बसुन्धरा भूसाल दिदीले मागिदिनुभयो । अमर प्रेम छ अहिले तर यसअघि प्रेम थिएन । म चिना हराएको मान्छे । यतिका भोगें । ‘टेन्सन नै टेन्सन’ को जिन्दगी भोगें । थाहा छैन अझै कति आरोह अवरोह भोग्न बाँकी छ । लाग्छ, जति दुःख पाउनु थियो पाइसकें अब त्यस्तो नहोस् ।
मेरा यस्ता दुःख र पीडा कसलाई सुन्ने फुर्सद यो व्यस्त समयका मानिससँग भन्ने लाग्यो । र सुनाएँ कलम र कपीलाई । कलम र कपीले अब तपाईलाई सुनाउने छ...। फाइन प्रिन्टले प्रकाशन गरेको ‘चिना हराएको मान्छे’ को आइतबार राजधानीमा भएको लोकार्पण समारोहमा वरिष्ठ कलाकार हरिवंश आचार्यले व्यक्त गरेका उद्गार हुन् यी । पत्नी मीराको दोस्रो पुण्यतिथिको अवसर पारेर सार्वजनिक गरिएको यो कृतिलाई नेपालमै पहिलोपटक ‘लिमिटेड एडिसन’ का रूपमा बजारमा ल्याइएको छ । हरिवंशले रमिला पाए पनि आफूले मीरालाई बचाइराख्ने प्रण गरे । लोकार्पणको शैली पनि फरक थियो । कृति विमोचन गरिएन, वरिष्ठ कार्टुनिष्ट दुर्गा बराल उर्फ वात्सायनले तयार पारेको ‘लेखक हरिवंश’ को स्केचलाई उनै वात्सायनले पर्दाको घुम्टो खोलेर लोकार्पण गरेका थिए । उनले भने, ‘हाँस्यव्यंग्यका क्षेत्रमा हरिवंश शिखर पुरूषका रूपमा स्थापित छन् ।’
यसैवर्ष मदन पुरस्कार पाउन सफल ‘सेतो धरती’ का उपन्यासकार अमर न्यौपानेले हरिवंशलाई नेपाल र नेपालीलाई शितल छहारी दिने ठूलो वृक्षको संज्ञा दिए । कृति सम्पादनमा सहयोगी बनेका उनले दुःखद् घटनाहरूले जन्माएको सुखद् आविष्कार ‘चिना हराएको मान्छे’ भएको बताए । उनले भने, ‘हरिवंशलाई एसएलसी पास गर्न तीन वर्ष लाग्यो । त्यसैले सायद उनी एकैपटक सारालाई हसाउने र रूवाउने वरिष्ठ कलाकार भएका छन् नत्र कुनै कोठामा, होटलमा, चोकमा हसाउने मान्छे बनेर बस्थे होला ।’
कस्तुरीको संज्ञा दिँदै उनले हरिवंशलाई आफ्नो सुगन्ध बेलैमा थाहा भएको बताए । भने, ‘कस्तुरी भए पनि आफ्नो सुगन्ध थाहा नपाउनेहरू यसै बिलाएका छन् । हरिवंशको सुगन्ध अब हाम्रो पनि हो ।’ जीवनमा भन्न मिल्ने भन्दा नमिल्ने कुरा धेरै हुँदा रहेछन् । औपचारिक भन्दा अनौपचारिक धेरै रहेछन् । तर कलात्मक ढंगबाट जीवनलाई विम्ब र संकेतमै भए पनि हरिवंशले चिना हराएको मान्छेमा कलात्मक ढंगले धेरै कुरा गरेको न्यौपानेको भनाइ थियो । उनले भने, ‘लेखक बनेका हरिवंश इमान्दार देखिएका छन् । आत्मप्रशंसा छैन । बालकको जस्तो निर्दोष अभिव्यक्ति छ । अहंलुकाउने तर अस्तित्व बचाउने मान्छेका रूपमा प्रस्तुत भएका छन् उनी ।’
हरिवंशलाई ‘चिना हराएको मान्छे’ लेख्न प्रोत्साहित गर्ने साहित्यकार डा. रविन्द्र समीरले चिना हराएको मान्छेले कसरी शुन्यबाट संसार जित्न सक्छ भन्ने उदाहरण हरिवंशले कृतिमा प्रस्तुत गरेको बताए । उनले भने, ‘डाक्टरी भाषाको इसिजीको ग्रामजस्तै रहेछ हरिवंशको जिन्दगी ।’ तर उनले यसलाई आत्मकथा भन्दा मनोकथा भन्नुपर्ने तर्क राखे । सरल भाषामा बोधगम्य तरिकाले पुस्तक लेखिएको उनको भनाइ थियो । ‘यो कृति हरेक तह, तप्का र वर्गका मान्छेले आफ्नै कथा पढेजस्तो लाग्नेछ’ उनले भने, ‘निराशावादी मानिसहरू शोक परेपछि आत्महत्या गर्छन् तर आशावादीहरू शोकलाई शक्तिमा परिणत गर्छन् । हरिवंशले पनि पत्नी मीराको शोकलाई शक्तिमा बदल्नुभएको छ ।’
डा. समीरले हरिवंश आफूलाई ‘सपनाको मान्छे’ लाग्ने गरेको बताए । भने, ‘होइन भगवान्ले पनि कस्तो व्यक्तित्व बनाएका होलान्, ठिटोदेखि वृद्धासम्म जस्तो भूमिकामा पनि उत्तिकै फिट । बोली पनि भनेजसरी फेर्न सक्ने । मलाई आश्चार्य लाग्थ्यो ।’ उनले विश्वप्रसिद्ध चार्ली च्याप्लिन, मिस्टर बिन, कादर खान आदि सफल हाँस्यकलाकारभन्दा हरिवंश झनै धेरै र भव्य क्षमता भएको व्यक्तित्व रहेको बताए । उनले भने, ‘सौभाग्य भनौं कि दुर्भाग्य, नेपालमा जन्मिनुभयो नत्र ओस्कारले थिचिइसक्नु हुने थियो हरिवंश दाइ ।’
फाइन प्रिन्टका प्रमुख कार्यकारीअधिकृत निरज भारीले हरिवंशलाई संकेत गर्दै भने, ‘मरेर जानु अपवाद, बाँच्नु संघर्ष हो ।’ उनले ‘चिना हराएको मान्छे’ लिमिटेड एडिसनका रूपमा पनि ल्याएको र सोवापत प्राप्त रकमको ९० प्रतिशत हरिवंशकी पत्नी मीराको नाममा आजैबाट खोलिएको मीरा केयर सेन्टरलाई उपलब्ध गराउने जानकारी दिए । सेन्टरका लागि काभ्रेको शंखुमा हरिवंशले दुई रोपनी जग्गा प्रदान गरेको पनि जानकारी दिइयो । लोकार्पणअघि नै विभिन्न स्थानमा पुस्तक बिक्री गरी उठेको पाँच लाख रूपैयाँको चेक पनि भारीले सेन्टरकी प्रमुख अर्थात् हरिवंशकी हालकी पत्नी रमिलालाई हस्तान्तरण गरिएको थियो । सेन्टरमा नेपालका गरिब, अनाथ, अपांग बालबालिकालाई राख्ने योजना रहेको छ ।
कार्यक्रममा हरिवंशका प्रिय सहकर्मी वरिष्ठ कलाकार मदनकृष्ण श्रेष्ठ अनुपस्थित थिए । धेरैलाई जिज्ञासा लागेको यो कौतुहललाई डा. समीरले मेटिदिए । हरिवंशले भाउजूको लिभरमा क्यान्सरको दाग देखिएकाले भारतको नयाँदिल्लीमा यतिबेला शल्यक्रिया गर्न मदनकृष्ण पुगेको जानकारी दिए । उनले भाउजूले पुनर्जीवन पाएको पनि बताए । कार्यक्रममा ७३ वर्षअघि बुबाले हरिवंश पूराण लगाएपछि २०१४ साल कात्तिक २७ गते हरिवंशको जन्म भएको पनि जानकारी दिइयो । तीसको दसकमा अभिनय यात्रा सुरू गरेका हरिवंशले ५० बढी टेलिश्रृंखलामा अभिनय गरेको, फिलिम र जे भो राम्रै भोनामक चलचित्र निर्देशन गरेको, विश्वका ३५ बढी राष्ट्रमा सय बढी प्रहसन गरेका छन् । यस्ता विशिष्ट व्यक्तित्वको जीवनी कृतिका रूपमा ल्याएर जनमानससम्म पु¥याउने फाइन प्रिन्ट, यसका नेतृत्वकर्तात्रय अजित बराल, निरज भारी र सुवर्ण लामिछानेलाई मुरीमुरी धन्यवाद ।

The Black Demon

The Black Demon

By : Gopi Krishna Dhungana

As usual, Ramesh, Naresh, Stuti and Smriti came out to the school ground. During tiffin time, they use to have their luncheon together and then start to play. All four took out the tiffin snack that their mothers had put in their school bag. All of them had clearly understood that home made snack is far better than junk food. they bring different sancks item everyday. Since they are close friends in school, they share their snacks with one another.

Today Ramesh has brought parched maize and soyabean. Naresh took out dry bread and pickle of gundruk§. Similarly, Stuti has brought fried rice and curry of pumpkin sprout. At last, Smriti served Sujiª and fried potato on the paper. Today's snacks items are favorite for all. Smriti happily said 'wow ! we'll have very tasty snacks today'. When they were ready to have their preferred items. A tall and fat demon having long hair, beard and teeth appeared nearby and roared - 'This is tiffin time of mine also like yours; Now I'll eat you all'.

All of them, Ramesh, Naresh, Stuti and Smriti, who were having their snacks at a corner of school ground, were frightened, became nervous and started to cry. It was obviously natural for them to frighten. All of them had heard much about demon but had never seen. They had seen demon only in picture. They easily recognized that the tall and fat creature is a demon. Saraswoti Primary School, where they had been studying, is located near a jungle a bit far from village. The giant demon had reached at school since he could find nothing to eat. It is believed that two years ago also, A demon had taken two girls to the jungle from the school and they were never found.

All four students from grade two started to cry when they suddenly saw a dangerous demon in front of them. But who would listen to their cry? All other friends were playing in their own way on the ground with loud noise. The weather had changed. It was about to rain; So chirping noise of the birds from the jungle was loud. As it was tiffin time, all the teachers were in their matter. There was not any matured person nearby them. They found no helping hand and escaping way. Thus they started to cry and shout. The demon shouted in loud voice - "Oh Children! I have been hungry for seven days. I will eat you and satisfy my hunger.' All four were further frightened and looked at one another's face.

When nobody came to save them, all of them started to run towards teachers. The demon suddenly caught Smriti, who was thin and small. Other three, who were running away to save their life, didn't know this thing. Ramesh, who was also fat, could not run and sat on the ground. The demon caught to Ramesh as well. Naresh and Stuti ran away for sometimes. But they dashed against other friends and fell down on the ground. The demon caught them too. Ramesh shouted 'leave me ! leave me ! please save me !' Goma Miss heard Ramesh's shout of asking for help. Shre also ran towards the demon she also shouted - 'please save us ! save us !'.

Gopal sir, who was coming out from toilet, also ran towards the demon, who had been kidnapping students. Thinking that the luckily found food would be snatched away, the demon ran to the Jungle. And he concealed himself in bush. Like the saying 'Misfortune is sudden and unplanned', other teachers were absent that day Goma miss and Gopal sir went to the jungle to search for the students but they couldn't see the demon and the children. They became nervous and started to sweat. 'What to do now?' Gopal sir said to Goma Miss 'We must release our students from the demon in any cost. He has been hidden somewhere here' - Goma Miss said. Both of them took branches of tree and started to strike in the bush.

Goma miss heard the sobbing noise of scared Smriti. After hearing the noise, she shouted - 'The demon has concealed here' The demon again fled and jumped to a runlet. The heart of both Gopal Sir and Goma Miss shook due to the love of the students. 'Alas ! The demon may have finished all four students at a single spot'. Saying that Gopal Sir sat on the ground squatly.

But Goma Miss forced him and both of them reached at the runlet.

Ramu, Smriti's father, who was working in the farm land near the runlet saw the demon running away by carrying the children. When he saw the demon carrying his own daughter also Ramu followed him with spade on his hand. Gopal Sir and Goma Miss, who had been carrying branches of tree, also ran to follow Ramu. Ramu shouted 'Help ! Help ! The demon is eating the children. The demon is kidnapping the chidren.' The demon reached at village while running. When villagers saw the demon, they came out of their house with stick, mallet and domestic weapons. Thinking that the villagers would kill him, The demon started to run in high speed.

While running in high speed, Ramesh, the fat boy fell off from demon's left hand. Gopal sir picked up Ramesh. Meanwhile, the demon fell down in a pit and by chance Smriti also got escaped. Goma miss caught Smriti. The demon again fled. Naresh and Stuti were still crying. The villagers surround him from all directions. A person charged on demon's leg with a stick to catch him. Then he fell down and the villagers caught him. Ramu embraced Naresh and Stuti and started to console.

The villagers shouted that the demon should be killed by beating him. Smriti's father, Ramu slapped on his check very forcefully. The demon's beard and hair fell down on ground Gopal sir added another slap. By that slap, his tusks fell down surprisingly, the demon was not somebody else but Kale, one of the villagers. Kale had tried to frighten the children by making artificial hair, beard, moustache and teeth. By this artificial gait up, he had tried to entertain by creating fear to the small children. By knowing this bad habit of Kale, all the villagers became angry. That was a great crime of Kale. Thinking that he wouldn't do such type of misdeed in future, the teachers and guardians took him to the police station and handed over him to the police. The rays of happiness were seen on the face of Ramesh, Naresh Stuti and Smriti.

Translated By : Pawan Aalok

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§ Gundruk: Fermented and dried vegetable made from green vegetable

ª Suji: A food item prepared from wheat flour.