"What’s his name?" asked Hiran. "Lihiniya!" "But, that’s a bird and this is a deer." "Yes, but you should have seen him dive from a mound when running. Just like a bird. So I called him Lihiniya and now I call him Lini."
"Hello Lini," said Hiran to the deer. "What do you give him to eat?" "He eats grasses, leaves and fallen fruit." "Do you feed him?""No I take him out and he grazes but when he was little I bottle fed him."
"Won’t he run off?"
"That’s alright because he should go.""Won’t you mind?""Yes, I’ll miss him but he should be with his herd."
"How old is he?"
"He is about 2 months." "How did you get him?" "
I spotted him near the jungle edge . I almost trampled him. He was tiny and curled up. I kept my distance and waited for his mother to come. But after about one and a half hours she didn’t come. So, I wrapped him and brought him home."
"Will you keep him till he’s big?"
"No, in a month’s time, I’ll take him to the jungle and train him to be there."
"How will you do this?"
"My father will help me."
This was a conversation between Hiran and Sarath, two ten year old boys. Hiran was in Anuradhapura with his parents. They were on their way to Mihintale, for the Poson poya in June. Mihintale was very near Anuradhapura, on the Trincomalee road.
Hiran and his parents were
staying in a guest house near the Tissa Lake. Sarath was the guest house owner’s son. Hiran became friendly with Sarath the very evening he arrived, when he saw a baby deer following Sarath at the far end of their large garden. Then they penned Lini in a section of the garden that was fenced with a couple of trees enclosed.
Next, Sarath took Hiran for a walk on the Tissa Lake bund. They saw the large dagaba across the water, the Ruwanvelisaya. "In a few days the place will be full again with
pilgrims." "Why? Was it full before?" "Yes, for Vesak poya last month, Anuradhapura was brimming with pilgrims and Mihintale too." "The breeze over the water is so cool." "Would you like to see the lake in the light of the full moon and the far Ruwanvelisaya lit up?" "Wouldn’t I? Yes indeed." "We’ll try to do that."
Sarath continued: " Can you
imagine Anuradhapura in ancient times? The lofty palaces and
monumental towers, above other buildings in a vast area.
The colossal walls that guarded the sacred treasures, the city and its
people.Thousands of people passing to and fro under avenues of noble tamarind trees that shaded the broad streets. Many elephants caparisoned and some carrying gilded howdahs
parading slowly.
The monasteries and their temples with large flowered gardens. The scent of the jasmines and araliya wafting in the breeze. Hundreds of yellow robed monks march solemnly from the Mahamega gardens. The thunder of hundreds of drums from the courtyard of the Brazen Palace announce that the king surrounded by a number of monks has taken his seat on the ivory throne in the great hall."
"Wow! "gasped Hiran, "Sarath you are a wonder! I could see it just like a film as you described the scenes." "Good," replied Sarath. "Are you an artist or a poet?" asked Hiran. "A bit of both. When nobody is around and the lake bund is empty, I shout and sing, the kavi I know or I make up some verse or the other," said Sarath laughingly. Gosh! How super, thought Hiran. "Well, let’s go and see Lini and get permission to come on the bund in the night." "Ok," said Hiran.
"When you are in Mihintale, you must see the Kaludiya Pokuna, the pool of dark waters, an enchanting place which was once the abode of arahats." "Are there any more interesting places there?" "Yes, quite a few, the hospital building which is one of the oldest hospital buildings and is worth a look.""There are many steps to the top of the rock. It will look
splendid when it is all lit up for Poson."
They continued to walk back.
How interesting to talk to this poet boy, thought Hiran. "I have an idea!" exclaimed Hiran. "Sarath would you like to come with us to Mihintale? We will be back here in two days ."
Sarath looked happy at the
suggestion. Hiran spoke again, "What about Lini? Shall we take him along, too?" "No that’ll not do. I’ll tell the caretaker to look after him." "Then let’s run and tell all this to your parents and mine."
The two friends spurted up and raced each other to the guest house. |
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