The taleweaver- Part one #shortstory #fiction

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The calm and quiet village of Ambur stirred as the early morning cast a golden shadow enveloping the grey skies. A rooster crowed in a distance rousing the remaining sleepy villagers to set off in their routine. In a tiny thatched house by a small rivulet that originated from the nearby Palar River, Janaki amma had already finished with her early morning rituals and was mid-way through cooking meals which included a separate box for her husband, Kumaran, who worked in the nearby fields and lunch boxes for her two school-going children, Gopal and Ambujam.

Gopal and Ambujam went to the nearby village school run by an old teacher, Subbu Shastry, who was also the headmaster and brain-child of the school.  Janaki amma and Kumaran lived a very modest life and dreamed of a brighter future for their children. Well, at least for Gopal who they believed would be their support in old age. As for Ammu kutty as they lovingly called her, they didn’t have much hope. The villagers whispered behind Janaki amma's back that perhaps the girl was a little, you know, off her mind.

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Ammu kutty lived in a world of her own. She couldn’t care less for the counting or language lessons taught by the old master. She created magic in her mind with a lot of interesting characters that kept her company all day. She nodded empathetically to what the saintly cow had to say while lazily chewing cud, or listened with rapt attention to the musical cacophony played out by the Koels, mynahs and sparrows. At times, she would lend a soothing ear to the lone sorrowful rabbit that would have lost its carrots to the naughty squirrels.  

Ammu would spin magical stories in her mind with vivid details around her friends-the birds and the animals. The nature, animals and birds were her only friends since the other girls made fun of her. Anyway, she found them too boring. Only, she couldn’t share her stories with anyone, she thought wistfully. Gopal was of no use as he was busy with his own set of friends and had no time for her. Amma and Appa were already worried for her and these stories might only scare them further into sending her away to Ganapathy uncle’s home who resided in the town-side and who had suggested to her Appa about sending Ammu to their place for medical help. Thankfully, Appa had refused then. 

Janaki amma, like any mother, would worry for Ammu’s future. She, being a staunch devotee, always believed that her Gods will answer her prayers one day. So, when Narayanswami’s proposal came for Ammu, she was thrilled. Narayanswami was the son of Subbu Shastry’s younger brother Gurumurthy and his wife Kamalambal. A 26 year old young man, he worked as a head clerk in a government office in the nearby town of Gummudipoondi. Kumaran and Janaki amma had no reason to reject the alliance which they felt was too good for their Ammu who was 16 by then.