November 14 is Children’s Day. This year, SARA BUBBER brings to you a world of forests, magical flowers, festivals, and some animals you may have never seen. In the activities feel free to explore your imagination and transform into any creature you want to be. Visit your innermost wishes. Your possibilities are limitless! With creativity and love, every day becomes a children’s day.
The Kherengbar Flower—A Folktale From Tripura
Once upon a time there was a man named Dhananjoy. He celebrated the Garia festival after completing a period of service, and then left for his village with his new wife. On the way home, he had to cross a forest which had a beautiful scent.
His wife Sumantra asked him where such a lovely fragrance was coming from. Dhananjoy explained that this wonderful fragrance came from the Kherengbar flower, which only grows for the creator. Sumantra asked if she could decorate her hair with some of the sweet smelling flowers. Dhananjoy explained that they were meant for the use of the creator so Sumantra asked how he knew all of this. Dhananjoy told her that he had heard the dairi (soothsayer) of the village talk of these magical things.
Sumantra asked him what would happen if they were used by humans. Dhananjoy asked her to look carefully at the tree, which appeared disconnected from the soil. It was brought by a heavenly nymph to Earth when she visited. Being a heavenly nymph, she had to go back, and leave her favorite flower behind. The flower was waiting for her and did not wish to serve anyone else.
Sumantra looked very sad, so Dhananjoy asked her to be happy as he would pick her some flowers. He warned her, though, not to put them in her hair, as there would be consequences. Sumantra’s eyes widened as she heard the consequences: Dhananjoy would turn into a hoolock gibbon and Sumantra would turn into a pangolin! She promised that she would not put the flowers in her hair.
Dhananjoy climbed the tree and plucked some flowers. As the flowers fell in Sumantra’s lap, she couldn’t resist the urge to put one in her hair. As soon as she did, she realised that Dhananjoy’s arms had started changing. She quickly pulled the flower out, but it was too late! She called out to Dhananjoy, but all she heard was “hoo, hoo.” Before she knew it, she had developed scales and become a pangolin!
The heavenly creatures felt sorry for what had happened and made the sweet flower odorless so that no one in the future would go through the same thing.
Some Facts From North-Eastern India
Hoolock gibbons are the only apes found in India, and they are native to India, Bangladesh, and China. They get their name from the “Hoo, hoo” sound they make. Their song can be heard for miles!
A lot of north-eastern tribes have soothsayers who are seen as diviners, communicators, storytellers, and religious experts.
The Garia Festival is celebrated in the state of Tripura as a celebration of a god named Garia, the deity of wealth and livestock.
Activity 1
North-eastern stories often choose to integrate conversion of humans and animals believing that we are all one. Is there an animal that you would like to be?
Activity 2
It is good to have wishes and dreams. But sometimes these wishes may or may not serve us well, just like Sumantra’s wish did not help her.
Take a moment to note three wishes and the pros and cons. Let me give you an example of my wish:
Illustrations by LAKSHMI GADDAM
Sara Bubber
Sara is a storyteller, Montessori consultant, and a children’s book author. She is also a naturalist, doing her doctoral work in eco-consciousness in childhood. She has been practicing Heartfulness for eight y... Read More
