Once upon a time there lived a little boy with his grandmother. His name was Tani. They were very poor and used to earn their living by selling milk in the village. They had two cows and two goats. Everyday Tani used to take his herd to the lush, green fields for grazing. Now the young boy had to pass by a dense forest each day in order to reach the grasslands. Speculation was rife that the forest is the homeland of pixies, elves, goblins and mighty wizards and witches. Though Tani has never had any chance encounter with any of them, he secretly pined to meet these entities one day.
While his animals were busy eating the soft, fresh grass Tani used to immerse himself in playing flute. The boy had great acumen in blowing the instrument and all were mesmerized when he played. Days passed, Tani’s flock increased to seven from four, his old grandmother became more fragile with age and Tani had to shoulder some more responsibilities.
One day, while Tani was returning from the fields, a rough thunderstorm blew up. Raging winds coupled with torrential rain and recurrent lightings frightened the boy a lot. He felt miserable with his animals. Helpless, he started running with his flock. In no time, he discovered himself inside the dreaded jungle. Dusk had already set in and the insides of the forest was misty dark. A bizarre silence prevailed with not even the cricket’s clamoring. The stars too seemed intimidated to peep inside! The young lad was all jittery with the dust and gloom almost blinding him. He managed to sit under the bushy trunk of a tree whose leafy foliage formed a thick canopy above his head. The boy soon became engrossed in the thoughts of his warm home and loving grandma. The animals too appeared motionless, fathoming their eerie surroundings. Suddenly a very old lore flashed by his mind- once a man gets trapped inside this mystical wood-which is under the bewitching spell of the wizard and witches; by no means can he get out. These supernatural beings advertently torment whoever steps into their homeland, finally killing them.
Fright, hunger and fatigue eventually made Tani fall asleep. All of a sudden something made the boy sit up. Just close by, he could hear some faint murmurings. By now his eyes were acquainted with the darkness and near him he could see some toad stools scattered here and there under a huge oak tree. A closer ear and an intent gaze ensured him that the voice was coming from the insides of the largest mushroom in the entire cluster. ‘Please help me/ please help me', somebody mumbled very faintly. Tani was perplexed! Never in his life had he seen a ‘toad stool’ whisper. Giving the boy little time to contemplate, a whirlwind broke out just above the bunch of mushrooms and a shadowy and indistinct frame came out of it, oscillating in the air. The face was partly human and partially beastly with the lower part of its body shrouded in a cloud of smoke. The boy was was petrified. Sensing his fear the creature criedout. ‘Tani. Don’t be afraid I’m Pie- an elf and I will do you no harm’.
Tani was still not sure but the elves assuring voice relaxed him a bit. It slowly came closer to him and held his hand. ‘Please help me, my friend’-he pleaded. I’m under a horrible curse and only you can help me get out of this’. A flabbergasted Tani could not make out how he can help an elf!! What happened, he blurted out! ‘You know’, Pie started. ‘Every moon lit night a group of beautiful fairies come in this jungle. With their giggles, song and dance- this place then becomes an entirely different world. I used to hide and peer at these beauties, from a distance every time they came. But one day I was caught. This was a very private affair of theirs and they were furious to find someone intrude into that. Joe the fairy rebuked me for this shameful act and in a feat of rage cursed me. She said that I will become a toad stool and remain so throughout the rest of my life’, Pie sobbed. ‘Cant you by any means get back to your previous self? Tani asked.
There is only one way, Pie paused. The fairy took pity on me and revealed that if I ever come across a young and virtuous little boy, the evil spell will be severed. But the boy needs to be an excellent flute player as well and when I saw a flute with you I knew that I have knocked on the right door’, the elf gasped for breath. Tani felt very sad for this miserable creature. ‘Yes, I will of course help you’ and in no time he started playing a cheerful tune. The happy notes of the jingle immediately seemed to clear the air of gloom and woe and with great awe Tani noticed that a very timid looking elf- of ones he had read in stories, standing right next to his side. ‘Boy, oh Boy, this is a miracle; you have given me a new life, I’m freed up.’-Pie cried out in joy. I will never forget this gesture of yours and here is a small reward for your act of benevolence’. Tani saw Pie with two sacks full of glittering stones standing in front of him; his face beaming. ‘Take this and you will no more be poor, dear friend! Be happy and whenever there is a cause of concern come right at this place and call me by my name, I will be right here. And yes, you will be able to return home on your own now; when the dawn sets in. Now I will have to go; my elf friends are waiting. Good byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.’ Pie’s voice reverberated in the air long after he was gone.
The boy seemed stupefied. Never in his life had he seen anything like this. Confused with what to do with so much treasure, Tani started to count the gems one by one. Little did he realize that attracted by this sweet noting, a group of fairies drifted towards him and started to gyrate, encircling him. It was again a full moon night and mesmerized by the sonorous sound, they starting doubling up the gems. The boy seemed to be entranced! He did not see the fairies nor could he make out that his stones are getting swelled up with each passing minute. Slowly dawn started to settle in and the fairies also disappeared in the oblivion leaving Tani in a deep slumber.
Mooing of his cows woke him up and the sight of the gems sparkling in the sun rays, reminded him of the last night. It dawned on him that his fright for the unknown is nothing but an extension of his imagination and a reflection of his feeble mental strength. He pondered deep and realized that a robust mind is always driven in the right direction while a mind laden with superstition and prejudices will only pull you downhill. Tani muttered a prayer of thanks for his elf friend and with a radiant face started for his home with the cattle.
