It had been several hours since he came. His patience had been running out thin. The dense forest just remained the same. Hunger and anger fought. The latter won. He had promised his little one that he'd Bring home the brain of that rarest bird. Revered as the best of the pack, he did Possess that focus and always tried hard. The day was kissing goodbye as the dusk Settled in, magnifying his gloom many fold. He winced for losing again; went berserk As the green leaves were turning rose gold. All of a sudden, he froze as he heard The flap of a bird somewhere nearby. No birds other than what he sought Came there, he crouched then like a spy. "Its now or never!", he thought and released The dart. Out was a short gasp from his lungs too. The speckless white bird that hovered around That stone was hurt, fell down turning blue. Shouting aloud, he reached the bird fast. Took it and was about to tear its flesh To get the brain when someone from past Or future stopped him realizing his wish. He looked up and saw that old tribal man With shaking hands yet strong to prevent Killing that bird. Turning red, he did demand The old man to leave him at once. He didn't. In a trembling voice, the old man requested The hunter to leave the bird, go somewhere And find a much bigger prey that befitted Men of his strength and stern will so rare. "I have been waiting for this very bird For several months and got this today! I'll pry its brain now! he said. Unwavered, The old man pushed him, took the prey. "I will dissect you now!", the hunter bellowed. "If all you want is a tender brain, then you can Take mine now! Of course I am ready to allow You to do that, but leave this poor little one!", The old man said. In a fit of rage, the hunter held The old man by his head, but found that his hands Were then holding the delicate brain, he went still. Convulsing, he fell down. It didn't look all that grand. When he was up, he quickly closed his eyes, As they could not see the blinding light that Seemed to be everywhere. But it felt so nice. The air was charged with a single beat but. "Wake up my dear!", said the blue throated one. "My lord! My lord! What have I just done?", Lamented the hunter, "Its alright!", He said. "You darted her when she was worshiping me then!", He continued and patted that magnificent bird, Which saw him stretching as much as she could. "I'll build a temple for you, here and this bird, Will be sculpted there, to atone my sin", he said. "You don't have to!", was the lord's only remark. They vanished soon, leaving the hunter all alone. A temple stands there and the idol has those marks Of fingers upon it. People seldom leave it alone. Happy Shivratri to all!
