He noticed that the gates were loosely open. The security guards were fast asleep.
In the city, the streets were dusty and deserted. There were some shops, but there were no shopkeepers to be seen.
He finally spotted a man, and with a polite smile asked him where he could find some food and water. The man raised his head, and muttered, "What?"
"I said, can you tell me a place where I can buy some food and water?"
Muralidhar repeated. The man acted as if he had witnessed a ghost and ran away.
Weird, Muralidhar thought to himself and moved forward. After walking for a while, he arrived at a small, shallow brook which had several fruit trees. He soon gulped mouthfuls of water and climbed a tree to pluck some fruits. He then saw a man holding some large metal cylinders and gesturing by raising his elbows towards the sun and then lowering his hands into the cylinders.
Muralidhar walked towards the man and said, "Uhm! Hello! What are you doing?"
The man didn't answer. "I wanted to know what you are doing. My name is Muralidhar...and I am a..."
"Can't you see? I am collecting sunlight!" The man said angrily.
"Collecting? Sunlight? But why..."
"Are you a fool? What if the sun doesn't rise tomorrow? If you wish to stay alive, then you ought to collect some sunlight for yourself!"
"But...but you can't possibly collect the sunlight like this..."
The man shook his head and then walked away. Murlidhar, once again moved towards the city streets to find shelter for himself.
On his way, he saw a deserted temple.
He was shocked to see nothing except a plain roofless square, with a large stony rock carved in the centre of the square courtyard. A man was banging his forehead on the giant brown-grey stone repetitively.
Muralidhar rushed to the man to stop him. "Hey! Hey! Your forehead is injured. What are you doing?"
Bu hikaye Champak dergisinin April First 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Champak dergisinin April First 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
FINDERS, KEEPERS
Raji came out of her cool, thatched roof hut. The rough, sun-baked ground scorched her little feet. She looked up at the sun - it was still not very high in the sky. Judging by its position, Raji guessed it was around ten o'clock...
A Dog Named DOT
Dogs like Dot are found a dime a dozen on Chennai streets. Diya could never understand why that one particular dog who was just like any other brown and white dog, chose to pull at her heartstrings...
THE SCHOOL CONSTITUTION
10-year-old Mayank had just opened his tiffin box to eat when the aroma of his food spread through the class...
TARUN'S TALE
\"Stories should be like a breath of fresh air. They should give strength to our souls,\" Tarun's grandmother told him...
The Forest Lesson
Once upon a time, in a deep, green forest humming with life, there lived a fox named Foxy. Foxy was known for his sharp mind and charm, yet he often exaggerated his adventures. His best friends were Sandy sparrow, Rosy rabbit and Timmy turtle...
The Story of a Visionary
A few years after India's independence, the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly known as 'Chacha Nehru,' visited a small village...
Poppy and Karan's Masterchef Mummy
\"What have you made this time, Mummy?\"...
The Mighty Mouse
Ricky mouse emerged from his hole and set off for some work. Katie cat spotted him and dashed to catch him.
Halloween Costume Party
Nandu was the first one to reach Soham's house for the Halloween party.
A FAIR EX CHANGE
Mani heard Thatha arguing with his friend as he entered the hall.