tales of Suchita

There was a little boy who wanted to know where all the birds and beasts came from. So he pestered his mother with questions, who in her infinite patience told him, “Why the good lord made it all.”

Unsatisfied with the answer, he solicited the help of his teachers, peers and priest. All any of them could say was the good lord made it all.

Sure there was a missing link, the boy couldn’t give up his thirst for an answer. Finally a teacher, who was perhaps wiser than she was given credit for, had the presence to ask him what answer he was looking for, and why the “good lord” was such an unacceptable one.

Prompt came the reply, “Mother made me, she was made by her mother. The blacksmith makes things of iron. You, my teacher, make homework appear from mid-air and the sun makes it hot. But who’s this good lord? Why have I never met him? When I ask someone to take me to him, they dismiss me and say I shouldn’t be talking this way. Miss, what way did I talk and why shouldn’t I talk this way?”

Mighty pleased with his response, she said, “Not everyone has the privilege, you see, of meeting the good lord. Only ones with the correct questions get to meet him. Will you like to meet him?”

The little boy was overjoyed for she was the only one who had said this was possible. He nodded his head vigorously and paid special attention to what she was saying to make this midnight sojourn possible. 

Come midnight, he was packed and ready, determination and excitement coursing through him. At last he’d know where the birds and beasts came from. He did, however, hope the good lord would be in good cheer and answer more questions.

He followed the instructions as he conjured up a stairway to take him to the good lord. Many adventures awaited him on the stairway but the boy was focused. Tonight was the night for answers. The stairway, once made, would be there for adventures later. 

As he reached the abode of the good lord, he was keenly curios to know what he looked like. What he saw was someone who at once felt familiar and strange. Keeping his backpack on the cloud-like floor, he said, “Are you the good lord?”

A voice boomed, “Aye little one. What can I help you with?”

So the little boy sat on the floor, removed his notebook and began, “Who made the birds and beasts?”

To which he received the following reply:

Mother Earth was lonely and she made them
Majestic ones, timid ones, soft ones, loud ones
All come under her domain for she gives them birth
And they return to her upon their passing.

Satisfied, the little boy went down his list of questions and the good lord answered them all. He wondered briefly why this good lord couldn’t be one of his teachers for he didn’t seem to mind his questions as much as the adults in his life did. So that was another question he asked to which he received the following reply:

Lo but if I come to teach you
Who will run the world?
Besides what can I teach you
That you don’t already know?

Confused, the little boy cancelled the idea of inviting the good lord back to his house, down the stairway.

But there was one question which stumped even the good lord for the little boy asked, “Who are you? Where did you come from?”

At this the good lord laughed and said:

You have many questions little one.
But all of them don’t warrant an answer.
Some have to be found for one self
For only then do they make any sense!

The little boy finally laughed, transforming into a boy again. He thanked the good lord for his patience and answers and returned home. But he often used the stairway for adventures, and climbed it to meet the good lord when he found no one could answer his questions. The more he met him, the more he realized that the good lord was in fact a part of him, just like he was a part of the good lord. And the little boy found this mighty delightful.

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This is 20 of 26 Myths and Legends. To know more, click here.