sleep?”
“I did.” lied Rain. “And you?”
“Oh, it was as usual, but do not worry about me. Since you are my guest, it is my work to see to your utmost comfort. Now then, any luck yet with the first riddle?”
Rain sat down on the opposite side of the box, facing Dammy Kunga.
“I am not perfectly sure but Dammy, I think I understand what your father meant by those words … ‘be the person young or old, never shake a hand that’s cold’…”
Dammy Kunga leaned forward eagerly.
“Let’s hear it, then.”
“I think what your father was trying to tell you, is never to enter into an agreement of any sort with a person who is a coward. Such people will be there when the times are good, but will be the first to abandon you at the smallest sign of trouble.”
No sooner had Rain finished his sentence than one of the locks on the box snapped open and fell to the ground.
Rain and Dammy Kunga looked first at the open lock and then at each other in amazement.
“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Dammy. “That’s what it actually means! Wonderful! Wonderful! Let us not waste another precious moment. This is the second riddle – ‘Cover your head with a pack of ice, in order to make a decision wise.’”
“Hmm …” said Rain, leaning forward on his elbows and supporting his chin on his fists, “this one seems to be simpler, in fact. What I think it means is, never make a decision in haste.”
They waited, looking at the wooden box expectantly, but nothing happened.
“My instinct tells me you have got the correct meaning, Rain.” said Dammy. “But why won’t the box open? I think there is something you are missing.”
“I got it!” said Rain, snapping his fingers. “What he meant was, never make a decision when you are angry. Always wait to cool down first, because a man always makes the most unwise decisions in a state of anger.”
The second lock on the box snapped open, falling to the floor with a dull clang.
Dammy Kunga looked like he would burst with happiness.
“Rain …” he said, looking at him in admiration, “I have spent most of the last few years pondering over the meaning of these words, but with no luck. Then you arrive and in twenty-four hours, two riddles have been solved!”
“Hey, it’s just luck.” said Rain, feeling a little embarrassed at the shower of praise. “Let’s move on while things are going so well. Tell me the next riddle.” he suggested, wanting to take the attention away from himself.
Dammy Kunga seemed to understand how Rain was feeling and he sobered down immediately.
“Of course, of course. The third riddle goes something like this – ‘An empty glass can never quench thirst, look for the source of water first.’”
Rain fell into deep thought again. In the meanwhile, the servants laid out the breakfast.
“Come, Rain. Let us now eat breakfast. It is impolite to leave a guest hungry. We can search for meanings later.”
Dammy Kunga led the way to the breakfast table and only when he was satisfied that Rain had eaten well did Dammy Kunga allow him to resume puzzling over the riddles.
Rain spent all of that day and the next trying to figure out the meaning of the third riddle, but with no luck. Finally, he asked Dammy Kunga to tell him the fourth riddle, hoping it might be easier to solve.
“All right,” said Dammy Kunga, “I’ll tell you the fourth riddle. But do not be too dejected if you haven’t yet figured out the meaning of the third, it will come to you. Take your time and do not worry about being a burden on me, for I am thoroughly enjoying your company. You see, there are not many in my village that I can have an intelligent conversation with.”
Not many? Thought Rain, there was probably nobody here the man could have an intelligent conversation with. He seemed to be the only one here with a functional brain.
True , said his Geeya. And Rain realized that he had spoken to his Geeya without being aware of it.
“I did.” lied Rain. “And you?”
“Oh, it was as usual, but do not worry about me. Since you are my guest, it is my work to see to your utmost comfort. Now then, any luck yet with the first riddle?”
Rain sat down on the opposite side of the box, facing Dammy Kunga.
“I am not perfectly sure but Dammy, I think I understand what your father meant by those words … ‘be the person young or old, never shake a hand that’s cold’…”
Dammy Kunga leaned forward eagerly.
“Let’s hear it, then.”
“I think what your father was trying to tell you, is never to enter into an agreement of any sort with a person who is a coward. Such people will be there when the times are good, but will be the first to abandon you at the smallest sign of trouble.”
No sooner had Rain finished his sentence than one of the locks on the box snapped open and fell to the ground.
Rain and Dammy Kunga looked first at the open lock and then at each other in amazement.
“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Dammy. “That’s what it actually means! Wonderful! Wonderful! Let us not waste another precious moment. This is the second riddle – ‘Cover your head with a pack of ice, in order to make a decision wise.’”
“Hmm …” said Rain, leaning forward on his elbows and supporting his chin on his fists, “this one seems to be simpler, in fact. What I think it means is, never make a decision in haste.”
They waited, looking at the wooden box expectantly, but nothing happened.
“My instinct tells me you have got the correct meaning, Rain.” said Dammy. “But why won’t the box open? I think there is something you are missing.”
“I got it!” said Rain, snapping his fingers. “What he meant was, never make a decision when you are angry. Always wait to cool down first, because a man always makes the most unwise decisions in a state of anger.”
The second lock on the box snapped open, falling to the floor with a dull clang.
Dammy Kunga looked like he would burst with happiness.
“Rain …” he said, looking at him in admiration, “I have spent most of the last few years pondering over the meaning of these words, but with no luck. Then you arrive and in twenty-four hours, two riddles have been solved!”
“Hey, it’s just luck.” said Rain, feeling a little embarrassed at the shower of praise. “Let’s move on while things are going so well. Tell me the next riddle.” he suggested, wanting to take the attention away from himself.
Dammy Kunga seemed to understand how Rain was feeling and he sobered down immediately.
“Of course, of course. The third riddle goes something like this – ‘An empty glass can never quench thirst, look for the source of water first.’”
Rain fell into deep thought again. In the meanwhile, the servants laid out the breakfast.
“Come, Rain. Let us now eat breakfast. It is impolite to leave a guest hungry. We can search for meanings later.”
Dammy Kunga led the way to the breakfast table and only when he was satisfied that Rain had eaten well did Dammy Kunga allow him to resume puzzling over the riddles.
Rain spent all of that day and the next trying to figure out the meaning of the third riddle, but with no luck. Finally, he asked Dammy Kunga to tell him the fourth riddle, hoping it might be easier to solve.
“All right,” said Dammy Kunga, “I’ll tell you the fourth riddle. But do not be too dejected if you haven’t yet figured out the meaning of the third, it will come to you. Take your time and do not worry about being a burden on me, for I am thoroughly enjoying your company. You see, there are not many in my village that I can have an intelligent conversation with.”
Not many? Thought Rain, there was probably nobody here the man could have an intelligent conversation with. He seemed to be the only one here with a functional brain.
True , said his Geeya. And Rain realized that he had spoken to his Geeya without being aware of it.
Similar Books
