Today Pegman took us to Brazil. Thanks for the inspiration K.
At the age of three, Balawandi entered the secret world of snake charmers. Being small, he charmed only small vipers. Ones his father brought in from the garden.
But on his eighth birthday, Father presented Balawandi with a newly-hatched cobra, saying, “Charm him properly and together, through time, you will liberate My World.”
Even as Balawandi transformed from a boney-kneed, wild-haired boy into a strong-shouldered man who turned young girl’s heads, the snake, Zarmin (Lucky), morphed from a sleek black and yellow banded juvenile into a majestic 26-pound coil of olive-green grace.
The two roamed – village to town – acquiring the reputation of being the most elegant snake charming team ever seen.
At last, they were invited to perform for Prince Gulabgir – kidnapper of women, trapper of lives.
The charmers’ rewards? A lifetime supply of live mice delivered weekly to Zarmin’s basket
and the release of Balawandi’s beautiful mother, Meree Duniya (My World).
(Word count – 152)
Up From the Ashes 