The Tale of Ashua

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, knowledge was a scarce commodity, reserved for a select few. But in today's interconnected world, information flows freely and abundantly, reaching the farthest corners. Today, I invite you to uncover the intriguing story of an enigmatic figure named Ashua. Not everyone possesses the ability to rise from the ashes, but some who do become the stuff of legends. Ashua was one such person, and it is my privilege to share his extraordinary tale with you.

Ashua resided in the tiny village of Magaon, nestled at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. Magaon was surrounded by dense oak forests, teeming with a wide array of wild animals. Leopards and tigers roamed freely in the woods, occasionally preying on the village's domesticated animals, like goats. With a deep familiarity of the forest, Ashua knew its paths and secrets like the back of his hand. For 18 years, he had shepherded his goats amidst those ancient trees. Yet, deep within his heart, Ashua longed for something substantial, a desire to make his father, affectionately known as Babuji, proud.

Magaon was a close-knit community, comprised of twenty or thirty families dwelling in small wooden houses, huddled together. Every villager emanated warmth and vitality, creating an atmosphere of unity and care. Each person knew each other. They were like one big family, mutually dependent on each other.

However, Magaon faced a significant challenge. With limited options available, the villagers primarily relied on cattle raising and seasonal crop cultivation to make ends meet. Barley thrived during the winter, while wheat flourished in the summer. Although vegetables were cultivated year-round, the harvest merely met their daily needs, leaving no surplus for trade or sale.

It was no wonder that the young souls of Magaon yearned to escape the village's confines and seek a better life in the city. The urban world enticed them with promises of prosperity and excitement, a world they idealized without understanding its complexities. As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Ashua, a young mountain boy with a modest stature, possessed eyes that shimmered with an undeniable radiance. His eyes were small but they had something in them that made him stand out of the realm. His ever-present smile charmed all who encountered him, even during the most challenging times.

Each frigid winter morning, just before the break of dawn, Ashua would rise from his bed, prepare tea for his father, and make his way to the barn to attend to his goats. As he slowly swung open the barn doors, revealing his flock of twenty-one goats nestled together, a wave of relief washed over him.

Another day dawned, marking the beginning of Ashua's journey.

He possessed an innate discipline, a quality he had never consciously acknowledged or contemplated before. Little did he know that this unwavering discipline would propel him on a remarkable path through the twists and turns of life. Regardless of the weather, whether the air was frigid or scorching hot, Ashua never lingered in bed beyond dawn. This unwavering commitment permeated every aspect of his existence. Laziness was a foreign concept to him, as he was consumed by the multitude of responsibilities that demanded his attention. Life in the hills was unforgiving. Navigating from one place to another necessitated scaling steep mountains, only to descend on the other side.

As the sun cast its radiant embrace upon the land, awakening the surroundings, the village came alive bustling with activity. Mukesh, the milkman, diligently milked his cows, while Radha and the other village women ventured into the fields to sow the seeds for the forthcoming harvest. The rhythmic clang of Ramji's hammer resonated through the village, as he fashioned iron into useful creations.

Life in the village was a formidable existence, an enigma beyond the comprehension of city dwellers. For the people of Magaon, it was a ceaseless cycle of toil. Work, work, all day long was their anthem. Every day mirrored the previous one, with no intervals or Sundays to break the monotony. Holidays were an unattainable luxury, a concept foreign to their reality.

Life, at times, seemed unjust and unfair. Some toiled tirelessly in the fields, their hands dirtied and sweat-soaked, earning a mere pittance. Meanwhile, others effortlessly amassed wealth, reaping the rewards of minimal exertion. Such was the dichotomy of existence.

While the villagers of Magaon were content with their modest ambitions and desires, Ashua stood apart from the rest. He possessed a unique perspective on life and nurtured aspirations that extended beyond the boundaries of his small village. Eager to carve a meaningful existence for himself, Ashua patiently waited for the right opportunity to grace him. He held an unwavering belief that an opportunity would manifest itself, though he was not sure when. Blessed with the patience of a saint, he embraced the tranquility that accompanies waiting, knowing that when the time was right, his path would be illuminated.

Ashua meticulously counted his growing herd of fat and robust goats, a testament to his unwavering dedication and care. With a tender smile, he informed his father, Babuji, I am heading to the mountains to feed the goats.

In response, Babuji, Ashua's beloved father whose real name was Harda, affectionately replied, Alright, Ashua. Take good care of yourself. May God watch over you.

Babuji's aging appearance, marked by the etchings of time on his face, deeply concerned Ashua. Witnessing his father's frailty and vulnerability weighed heavily on his heart. Moreover, Babuji's health issues, including frequent bouts of illness and ailing heart, added to the burden. However, the absence of doctors in the village meant that the true extent of Babuji's ailments remained unknown.

Harda was a diligent peasant who had devoted his entire life to working in Magaon and raising his two sons, Ashua and Ramesh. Despite limited resources, Harda managed to provide his sons with a basic education, equipping them with the skills necessary to navigate the literate world. Ramesh, the elder son, had ventured to the city, where he married the love of his life and found employment in a restaurant. Though Ramesh seemed less concerned about the family, Babuji, like any proud father, still held him in high regard.

Meanwhile, Ashua constantly sought greener pastures for his goats. He strived to find the best grasslands for his four-legged companions, ensuring they grew strong and healthy. His goal was to sell them at a favorable price, earning him some much-needed income.

He was looking for greener pastures in his life also, waiting for the right opportunity to come his way He approached every task with his utmost dedication, regardless of its scale or significance; he believed that effort was crucial in achieving success. You have to give your best in whatever you do.

As he ascended the hill, following the winding path overshadowed by towering fern trees, Ashua's thoughts wandered to his brother, Ramesh, who had ventured to the city of Charbattia. Ramesh had left for Charbattia several years ago and had since settled there. He would occasionally send them money as he had a job in the city but it had been a long time and no money had come from his end. Ramesh hardly came to Magaon and Ashua missed him deeply. Ashua wanted to ask Ramesh for something that he wanted desperately. It was something as important as air to him. But Ramesh was far away in the city and all efforts to connect to him were futile.

Ashua trudged along the path that led him to the top of the hill. As he reached the end of the narrow path, a breathtaking meadow unfolded before his eyes, resplendent in shades of green. A gentle stream, adorned with crystal-clear water, cascaded down the hillside. A wave of relief washed over Ashua as he arrived at his destination at just the right time. Now his tender pets could nibble the whole day. He approached the stream and joyfully splashed the cold, refreshing water on his face, rejuvenating himself. As far as his eyes could see, there were no people in sight, only the vast expanse of the blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds.

Ashua was not a well-read person. Although he had attended the village school for his primary education, he yearned for further studies. However, financial constraints forced him to drop out after completing high school. The education he received provided him with the basics to navigate the fiercely competitive world. But that was enough for Ashua to chase his dreams although he desired to study further.

In Magaon, completing high school was a rare achievement, but Ashua's determination and hard work allowed him to accomplish this feat on his first attempt. This success filled him with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

On the top of the mountain as the cool breeze gently touched Ashua’s face it suddenly occurred to him that people were talking of some light being seen on the hill. There were rounds in the village and people were gossiping that a mysterious yellow light was seen up on the hill for the past few days. And no one knew what it was. Ashua was curious just like everyone to know what that light was so he decided to explore the place.Ashua walked along the ridge of the hill, taking in the breathtaking scenery that unfolded before his eyes. It was as if an artist had painted something on a big canvas before him. From this vantage point, he could see the lush green fields of his village stretching out below. It was as if he had been granted a bird's-eye view of his beloved village. The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The vibrant colors of the fields and the quaint little houses resembled a beautiful, serene