It hides not where the kingdom was. But it stands tall, far where only the stars light the night sky.
The great banyan tree stood far away from the lighted cities, far from the reach of kings, princes and the landlords.
Legend had it, that the tree was planted a thousand years back by the lady Ornatia.
She was the queen of the land; but she never acted as one. She was called the keeper.
I know not of the order of trade over her lands but yes the lands were cared for. The trees and the birds were cared for. The animals and water kingdoms were looked after. A wise old man, I once met, told me that the few waters were rich as they were connected with the great oceans thousand miles away.
Legends they are, myth they could be. I was so told by the fathers of the house. The wise traders even called it a story build by a queen grandmother to make her princesses sleep. They had traveled even farther then the waters and as far as the lands of east and west and found the tree nowhere. The kingdom was no where. How come, if the tree was real, they never found it. A kingdom as rich as written in pages cannot exist without trade.
Yes! True they sounded, and as my brothers repeated again-n-again - to a man of world like me they do not earn bread.
But the shoes were not fitting right, they were of my own size but they could not gather up the dark I was. But yet! I headed for the merchant quarters. The place where the stories mattered least- the only matter was how much can I earn to the merchant. He was a good man in his own limits of fortune.
I had several of beauties working around me, and the times were sweet for I was young. The dreams of touching the creams of the colors ruled my minds, even the rising sun, the approaching dusk then the
Moon ahead ruling the nights did not matter. It was a dream of its kind. It felt as if I was here to stand forever. But the moons didn’t agree with me. They grew then disappeared, then they shined again.
The only mirror reflecting time was my beard which grew with time and the paychecks in my account which came before next month. And then again the time disappeared. One day my little nephew asked me a strange question- what if the tree of thousand years is real, would it have a name. I knew not what to say to the little heart. I had never seen it- I know not, little crittle. I haven’t seen it. Brother Mooros says it is just a story to make me sleep, is he true. I could see in her eyes a light, I know not, little crittle.
Is it only a story, traveling in my own world of lust and glamor planning unreal mating seasons. I was thirsty enough to get rude to her and say- Yes!! It is just a story. But the moment I turned towards her and looked into her eyes that glitter in her eyes. I could lie no more- could be. For a moment something inside wanted to lie and say- it is real. But I did not. And told her the answers I heard from the story tellers. It all is inside, if you dream it is, if you do not it is not.
I was unable to think again of those women in glittering dresses and about those men walking below holding them in arms. I tried again to imagine a woman in my arms on that bed covered with silver below us, little swan adventures. But I failed.
I looked again, the same place which told me of the stories. Yes! The stars sang again
Real it is. Real it shall always be.
What you believe it is, what you not, it is.
--
I do not know why! But I asked him a question- ever too strange of me to ask- have to ever hear of the great banyan? Do you think it is real?
And the man disappeared. I was dreaming with open eyes. The craziness mattered not. I looked outside the window the cart was passing the rallies of shops and beautiful women all around. A rather lovely one caught my eyes; slender, marvelously dressed to hold even the winds. Next moment even she was gone. Where you wish to go! I gave him the money and bought the ticket. An hour of peace was bought in a few rupees and it brought the devil back inside of me.
What if I go and search for the tree? The devil was astonished? Why ask me this question?
You are the closest and I know you will not lie to me.
But I do, lie.
But I trust you on this.
This is not fair! I am a devil, you can not trust me. You are not supposed to.
I smiled and looked again back to his eyes. Was he afraid! Was he planning, but there was nothing I blankness existed. He too looked into my eyes and said- I know not.
And I looked at him with astonishment and changed my words- does the exists or does it not.
His eyes were even blanker as if pulling me inside and then I heard him say-
I can not say yes or I can not say no to thy question. For I know not.
There was only the whistle of train passing by. The time was not existing, the time never existed the passing of train brought a silence, nothing could fill. He did not say no, he did not say yes.
Yes! He did not say no.
….the silence was there to stay.
You should have lied to the boy!
I could not he was looking deep into my soul. You are a soul, stupid. He was looking inside of me!
What does he knows then? Asked another.
That the doubt exists.
The tree is not real! Stop lying will you. We do not know.
So the boy knows now- the truth is not hidden.
You should have seen the signs, before going to him.
The happened can not be changed, said and old brown colored object from behind the dark.
He will move away now! But where will he go?
Food remains food. He is still a being, let him go. the places he can leave to are again in our world. But the other places could be far away in someone elses territory. We can not feed on him.
The happened can not be changed.
Make it difficult for him to leave! Try to hold him stronger.
Angrily the crowd dispersed.
Only the old object and the devil were left.
The object came into the light and was looking more human then any object around.
Why could you not lie?
A silence followed.
did he really look deep into your eyes? This concerns me.
Father does the tree really exist?
They were gazing at each other. The lion and his cub both waited for the storm to explode.
The seed of doubt has been sown. I will have to take care that he does not escape. But you have shown the way, go ahead with the boy. Once you leave you will be hunted too. I myself will hunt you. But as a father! I want you to be with him.
Does the tree really exist?
I am not obliged to answer to your question, little one.
Now go and find a way to return back!
It was not a fairy tale! Was it?
No it was not.
what about the ghost part papa! Was it real too?
I aren’t sure.
Why not? I don’t know!
