I was once a happy lamb, full of energy and mischief. When I bounced from rock to rock, trying to get to the peak of the hill, my brothers and sisters were much quieter. I was the youngest and mom fussed over me all the time though I am sure I was quite a handful. Childhood was fun.
Then I grew up. My coat became shinier
and my horns quite massive. It took a while to get used to them. But
soon I was proud of them and it was quite apparent that I was the
favorite amongst the fairer sex. I and my brothers created quite a
racquet indulging in mock fights while my sisters and other female sheep
and goats watched from a distance, their eyes full of awe and fear. If
we overdid it, master often put us in separate sheds.
And then one day, a nice-looking man took me away from my master.
Whistling and singing songs, the man led me through a lovely path strewn
with fallen leaves, a gurgling mountain river flowing on one side and
rugged cliffs on the other. We walked for miles up the mountains. In
spite of my deep sorrow, I was looking forward to my new home, which I
assume would be beautiful. At times I hopped ahead. Soon we were
surrounded by clouds and a light drizzle caressed my coat.
Soon we reached his home and I was led into an empty shed. I assumed that this was going to be my new home. I was very excited about the vast green fields outside and the snow-covered Himalayas visible high up. I couldn’t wait for the dawn to break and couldn’t sleep well.
Soon we reached his home and I was led into an empty shed. I assumed that this was going to be my new home. I was very excited about the vast green fields outside and the snow-covered Himalayas visible high up. I couldn’t wait for the dawn to break and couldn’t sleep well.
At dawn, my new master came into the shed along with his slender wife,
who held a tiny squirming bundle close to her bosom. And soon we were on
the road again, my master walking ahead leading me and his wife
following behind, holding the restless infant.
We travelled for more than two hours down an unpaved path, following a
narrow stream of river until we reached a beautiful temple made of
stone. Master went in and spoke to the pujari while we stood there
waiting. Master’s wife sat down beside me. For the first time I saw the
angelic face of the baby. Its skin was soft and pale and it held both
its arms above its head, fists tightly closed. It looked so peaceful as
it slept. I felt like nuzzling him. Soon one day, it would grow up and
start walking. Perhaps then, I would play with it. Not now, it was too
tiny.
Master came back and took the baby from his wife. The pujari smiled at
her and then looked at me. “Wow, that’s a good one!” he commented to my
master. My chest swelled with pride and I tried to make myself look
bigger.
After the prayers we proceeded to the compound behind the temple. A few
men sat there sharpening a sickle. A couple of them came forward and
grabbed me, one of them held my head and the other my legs. I was
bewildered, couldn’t understand the sudden violence. It was then that I
noticed the strange smell about the place. I didn’t like it. I wanted to
get free, but they held on. They were too strong for me. Someone rubbed
some soap on my neck. Another retreated a few steps and then came
forward with the sickle raised…over my head…
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