by Iram Dana
Rain waited outside the gates while Pepito entered inside to inform the village head of the waiting visitor. Pepito narrated to Dammy Kunga the entire sequence of events that had taken place until now and a short while later, the village head came outside to greet Rain himself.
The man looked young, like he was maybe in his late twenties. Rain was shown the way inside the house where a lavish lunch was served up for him and Pepito. After lunch, they were served fragrant herbal tea.
Rain decided it was time to reveal the reason why he was here and was wondering how to bring up the subject when Dammy Kunga himself provided the perfect opening for it.
“So tell me what brings you here, Rain?” inquired Dammy Kunga, fingering a huge jewel studded ring on his index finger absently.
“I have come here on a Quest, actually. I am searching for a wisdom.” replied Rain, carefully sipping the hot tea.
Dammy Kunga stopped toying with his rings. He stared at Rain with a strange expression on his face, making Rain squirm in his seat, wondering if he had said something wrong.
Dammy Kunga rose silently from his seat and disappeared somewhere within the large house. Rain glanced nervously at Pepito, who looked as confused as Rain felt. Dammy Kunga returned a short while later with a large rectangular box made of ornately carved wood with ivory inlay work. Each side of the four sides of the box had a heavy lock on it. Dammy Kunga barked a few orders to his waiting servants who scurried forward and cleared the leftovers and empty tea-cups. They then placed a short glass table down before the gentlemen and left the room. Dammy Kunga placed the box on the table gently and with great care, as though it contained something very precious.
“My father gave me this box before he died and he gave me four riddles to solve along with it. Each riddle that I solve will allow me to open one of these locks. Once I have opened all the four locks I will get the gift that my father has left me.” said Dammy Kunga, looking intently at Rain.
“My father forbade me from marrying unless I had opened the box. I begged him for some sort of clue, some help. He told me this - that I will not be able to solve the riddles until the day there is rain…heavy, heavy rain. And that day, along with the rain, there will be sun. And the sun will help me solve the riddles …” he trailed off, looking at Rain’s blonde hair with its streaks of burnished gold. Rain stared back blankly for a moment and then his eyes went round as saucers.
“You … you think I am what your father was talking about?”
Dammy Kunga did not answer the question. He just kept looking at Rain’s hair.
“We had the stormiest night ever experienced by us last night.” He said in a low voice, almost as though he was talking to himself. “Also, for the past several days, the village soothsayer has been telling everyone about the imminent arrival of a fair haired traveler…”
“The golden traveler.” said Rain, watching Dammy Kunga’s eyes snap to his face.
“You know?” asked Dammy Kunga, looking astonished.
Rain nodded. “Yes. A little girl … I mean, I met some children this morning. They told me.” said Rain, deciding to omit the mention of Pu incase giving him this information should land her in trouble. “Are you sure, though? That I am the one everyone’s been talking about?” Rain wondered aloud, “I don’t see how -?”
“Rain,” Dammy Kunga interrupted him, “I think the solution to both of our problems lies inside this box.”
Rain thought about that for a moment.
‘What do you think?’ He asked his Geeya.
‘I think you are on the right track, Rain.’
Rain looked at the ornately carved box in front of him and made his decision.
“Tell me the riddles,” he instructed Dammy Kunga, “and we will try to solve them one by one.”
Dammy Kunga’s features brightened.
“The first riddle goes like this – Be the person young or old, never shake a hand that’s cold.”
Rain repeated the lines in his head.
‘What do you think this means?’
‘Rain, I cannot solve a Quest for you.’
‘Can you at least tell me what to do?’
‘Yes. Listen carefully to the riddles. Take your time and think over their possible meaning. Once you feel you have the right answer, come and inform Dammy Kunga.’
Rain spoke loudly this time, addressing Dammy Kunga.
“Dammy, I will need some time to think this over. Is there any place here where I can rest? I do not have any money with me, so I would be happy if you would let me rest in a barn or a shed, if you have one.”
Dammy Kunga looked enraged.
“What a preposterous request! You are my guest now. In fact, you are willing to help me solve the riddles my father left me. The thought of putting you up in a shed! ” Dammy Kunga took a few deep breaths to calm himself.
“No. you shall stay here; in my house, as my esteemed guest. Please take all the time you need and do not worry about food or lodging.”
Not one to question good fortune when it came knocking on his door, Rain happily accepted the village chief’s offer. At least this man wasn’t a lunatic like the rest of the people here. As soon as the thought had crossed his mind Rain threw a guilty look at Pepito who looked back at him and smiled encouragingly, thinking Rain was asking for his opinion on the matter and making Rain feel all the more worse for his mean thoughts. But it’s true, he protested to himself. Pepito was a nice man, yes, but also very foolish, no doubt about that.
Dammy Kunga ordered one of the servants to show Rain to a guest room and Rain stood to follow the servant. He thanked Pepito for his help and then turned to Dammy Kunga to do the same but the resolute expression on the latter’s face warned Rain that this act of his would only add insult to injury. He, therefore, quietly followed the servant to his room.
*****
Rain spent almost the entire night lying awake and pondering over the meaning of the riddle. Despite the lack of adequate sleep he woke up early the next morning and headed towards the dining hall, where Dammy Kunga was already present and waiting for him. He was sitting in front of the wooden box, toying with the many rings on his fingers. On seeing Rain approach the chief rose to greet him with a broad smile on his face.
“I have been waiting for you, my friend.” said Dammy, taking Rain’s hands in a warm handshake. “Did you have good night’s sleep?”
“I did.” lied Rain. “And you?”
“Oh, it was as usual, but do not worry about me. Since you are my guest, it is my work to see to your utmost comfort. Now then, any luck yet with the first riddle?”
Rain sat down on the opposite side of the box, facing Dammy Kunga.
“I am not perfectly sure but Dammy, I think I understand what your father meant by those words … ‘be the person young or old, never shake a hand that’s cold’…”
Dammy Kunga leaned forward eagerly.
“Let’s hear it, then.”
“I think what your father was trying to tell you, is never to enter into an agreement of any sort with a person who is a coward. Such people will be there when the times are good, but will be the first to abandon you at the smallest sign of trouble.”
No sooner had Rain finished his sentence than one of the locks on the box snapped open and fell to the ground.
Rain and Dammy Kunga looked first at the open lock and then at each other in amazement.
“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Dammy. “That’s what it actually means! Wonderful! Wonderful! Let us not waste another precious moment. This is the second riddle – ‘Cover your head with a pack of ice, in order to make a decision wise.’”
“Hmm …” said Rain, leaning forward on his elbows and supporting his chin on his fists, “this one seems to be simpler, in fact. What I think it means is, never make a decision in haste.”
They waited, looking at the wooden box expectantly, but nothing happened.
“My instinct tells me you have got the correct meaning, Rain.” said Dammy. “
But why won’t the box open? I think there is something you are missing.”
“I got it!” said Rain, snapping his fingers. “What he meant was, never make a decision when you are angry. Always wait to cool down first, because a man always makes the most unwise decisions in a state of anger.”
The second lock on the box snapped open, falling to the floor with a dull clang.
Dammy Kunga looked like he would burst with happiness.
“Rain …” he said, looking at him in admiration, “I have spent most of the last few years pondering over the meaning of these words, but with no luck. Then you arrive and in twenty-four hours, two riddles have been solved!”
“Hey, it’s just luck.” said Rain, feeling a little embarrassed at the shower of praise. “Let’s move on while things are going so well. Tell me the next riddle.” he suggested, wanting to take the attention away from himself.
Dammy Kunga seemed to understand how Rain was feeling and he sobered down immediately.
“Of course, of course. The third riddle goes something like this – ‘An empty glass can never quench thirst, look for the source of water first.’”
Rain fell into deep thought again. In the meanwhile, the servants laid out the breakfast.
“Come, Rain. Let us now eat breakfast. It is impolite to leave a guest hungry. We can search for meanings later.”
Dammy Kunga led the way to the breakfast table and only when he was satisfied that Rain had eaten well did Dammy Kunga allow him to resume puzzling over the riddles.
Rain spent all of that day and the next trying to figure out the meaning of the third riddle, but with no luck. Finally, he asked Dammy Kunga to tell him the fourth riddle, hoping it might be easier to solve.
“All right,” said Dammy Kunga, “I’ll tell you the fourth riddle. But do not be too dejected if you haven’t yet figured out the meaning of the third, it will come to you. Take your time and do not worry about being a burden on me, for I am thoroughly enjoying your company. You see, there are not many in my village that I can have an intelligent conversation with.”
Not many? Thought Rain, there was probably nobody here the man could have an intelligent conversation with. He seemed to be the only one here with a functional brain.
True, said his Geeya. And Rain realized that he had spoken to his Geeya without being aware of it. Touching his Geeya mark to dismiss her, because he didn’t really need her now and she was only serving as a distraction to him, Rain turned to concentrate on the problem at hand.
The fourth riddle turned out to be no less confusing.
“The fourth riddle is – ‘Do not expect help from above, when foolish is the friend you love.’” said Dammy Kunga. “I have wondered about this last one the most. I am not in love with any woman; neither do I have any friend by the name of ‘Foolish’, whom I hold dear. What could my father have possibly meant by this?” he wondered.
Rain looked at him and mentally amended the level of Dammy Kunga’s intelligence. Yes, he had a brain, but only half of it seemed to be functional. Not surprising considering the company the poor guy kept, thought Rain sympathetically.
“I’ll have to think this over, too.” he said, pacing back and forth slowly, mulling over the new riddle along with the old one.
Rain spent all of that week ruminating and trying to discover the meaning behind the last two riddles. Finally, the following week, an answer came to him shortly after breakfast.
“Dammy …” he called, “come with me to the box. I think I have the meaning of the fourth riddle- you know, ‘Do not expect help from above, when foolish is the friend you love’ …” he said, repeating the riddle.
Dammy was by his side immediately, visibly trying to hold in his excitement in case this should be just a false alarm. “Come quickly then, before you forget.” he said, leading the way.
They walked together to the table where the box lay, patiently waiting for its secrets to be discovered. They sat facing each other, as usual, and Rain began to speak.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it all this while. It’s something my father always said. He would say a smart enemy is better than a foolish friend. And that’s what I think this rid…”
The third lock on the box snapped open before Rain had finished his sentence.
“See? I was right!” said Rain, feeling a sense of relief at having correctly solved one more riddle. But this seemed to put Dammy Kunga in a dilemma of some sort.
“I don’t understand.” said Dammy. “How can it be better to have a smart enemy instead of a foolish friend? An enemy is always an enemy. He could never do me any good.”
“Exactly! And so, you will always be wary of him,” agreed Rain, “because an enemy can always be counted upon to cause you harm. But a friend? You would never exercise caution with a friend. And if that friend happens to be foolish, he could lead you into trouble faster than you can say ‘go’.”
“Yes … I do believe I understand now.” said Dammy Kunga, beginning to toy around with his rings again. Rain understood that Dammy Kunga did this out of habit whenever he was in deep thought or there was something troubling him. Rain found himself glancing down at his own chain. Why wouldn’t it glow? All of the riddles he had solved until now had been wisdoms, but none of them were what he was looking for. He hoped the last riddle would be the wisdom he was supposed to collect on this Quest.
“Wait a minute…”said Rain, softly.
He looked up at Dammy Kunga with excitement.
“You think you have the answer to the last riddle?” asked Dammy Kunga eagerly.
“Thirst … quench thirst … ‘an empty glass can never quench thirst, look for the source of water first’ … this means knowledge! Your father wants you to always thirst for knowledge. But don’t go seeking it just anywhere. Search out wise, learned men, scholars … the right source of the water, of knowledge, and learn from them.” explained Rain.
Their attention was drawn towards the last lock on the box which had opened with a loud snap and was now lying on the floor. Then, the lid of the box flew open and its sides fell away, revealing its contents at last.
The insides of the box were covered with soft velvet cushioning, where two bottles of perfume lay. One of the bottles held a diamond inside it while the other had an unremarkable flat metal disc with a hole in its centre, like an ancient coin. There was a small note below the two bottles, which Dammy Kunga picked up with shaking fingers and began to read aloud.
‘My son, this is my gift to you. Choose any one bottle and wear the pendant that’s inside on your neck, always. Let it be a reminder to you of the lessons you have so far learnt.’
Rain wasn’t really listening. He was fiddling with his chain which still refused to glow.
Dammy Kunga looked up at Rain.
“Another riddle?” he asked.
“What?” asked Rain, looking blank. Dammy repeated the words of his father’s note.
“I don’t think so.” said Rain, looking preoccupied. “Go ahead and open the bottles. Then choose the pendant you want to wear. You’ve found your father’s gift. Congratulations.” he gave Dammy Kunga a brief smile but Dammy shook his head.
“Something doesn’t seem right. Between the diamond and the metal there isn’t really a choice, is there? It’s obvious I’ll choose to wear the diamond pendant.” he said, reaching for the bottle with the diamond suspended in it.
He opened it carefully and brought the bottle close to sniff the perfume. An extremely foul smell hit his nostrils the instant he did that and he screwed up his nose, quickly closing the lid of the bottle.
“Ugh! This is disgusting! Have I been too late in opening the box? This perfume seems to have spoilt.”
The fumes from the bottle were indeed terrible and Rain found himself turning up his nose even though he didn’t want to, for fear of appearing impolite. Dammy Kunga then picked up the second bottle and, holding it out at some distance, opened it. But the smell that wafted from this bottle was most pl
easant and Dammy Kunga breathed in deeply, filling his lungs with its sweet scent.
“How odd …” he noted quietly, staring at the bottle in his hand, “after opening the bottles, my choice has reversed. I can never wear the diamond pendant. It smells too foul. My choice will most definitely be the metal pendant, though it is not as remarkable as the diamond.”
And it hit Rain like a bolt out of the blue.
“That’s it, Dammy! Look, that’s a diamond pendant there, but you’re not going to wear it because it smells so foul. Instead, you would prefer to wear an ordinary piece of metal because it smells wonderful. This is your father’s final message to you. In simple words, what this means is, if you stay around roses, you’ll smell like roses. Stay around dirt, you’ll smell like dirt. Your father didn’t want you to languish here in this village, just wasting away. That’s why he told you not to marry before you solved the riddles; so that you wouldn’t grow roots here - pardon me for saying this - in a village full of foolish people. He wanted you to move out, seek the company of learned men, and settle down somewhere where you can become a worthy person and not just remain like that diamond, immersed in a pool of foul smelling liquid. Beautiful to look at, yes, but absolutely undesirable and useless.” he finished, slightly out of breath.
Dammy Kunga’s jaw had gone slightly slack, and he could only gape silently at the small metal pendant that he held between his fingers, as he slowly absorbed the full meaning of the messages his father had left him. Rain looked down at his chain- a single claw was glowing.
Bingo!
‘Stay around roses, smell like roses.’ This last wisdom was it. The one he was looking for.
Rain got to his feet purposefully.
“Dammy, I believe all the riddles left by your father have been solved. I have found the wisdom I was looking for, too. You were right, the solution to both of our problems was inside that box. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. I must be off now. Thank-you so much for everything.”