The fallen sky

It was dark and it was damp and it reeked of death. The first thought which entered Akapat’s mind was that he is going to die. It froze his legs and choked his breaths.

the tiger sensed the somberness in his feet. We can still turn back,he suggested.

tiger, Akapat asked, looking at him with disquiet, is death the ultimate truth ?

well boy, the Tiger replied, looking at him intently, no one ever came back alive to tell that. But why do you ask ? You have not even lived.

Akapat looked around. Life is so decomposed over here. It seems that everything meets its end over here.

I would rather say, the tiger spoke with equanimity, that the life begins here. If you look deliberately, you will notice that a new life sprouts on every dead twig. Dead leaves become mushrooms, dead trunks become trees. Life always defies death. Hope always overcomes despair.

Akapat brooded over the thought for a while and then looked around. Suddenly a new world emerged in front of his eyes. The darkness and the gloom seemed to have vanished. He could see life taking sprouts in many forms.

You see, the tiger smiled, it is all about the perspective, and we must build our perspective outside the known perspective.

But is that even possible, Akapat as the tiger as he started walking.

Everything is possible, the tiger replied, following him with a similar gait. All it needs is the courage to accept the differences.

Differences, Akapat quipped, like the flat earth.

Yes, like the flat earth. For every other animal other than man, earth for all practical purposes is flat. Even Laika would have not noticed it even when she was on Sputnik. The tiger chuckled.

Hmm, Akapat replied thoughtfully. That is a perfect example of having a perception outside perspective. If the humans would have accepted the flatness of the earth, they would have never ever ventured into the space.

And the space, opens up new perspectives, the tiger replied looking towards the sky. Suddenly he was struck by the copiousness of the canopy which prevented a free view to the sky. He felt that he has been blind sighted.

Akapat felt that something was wrong. He looked at the tiger who by now was frozen in time, looking towards the sky. He followed his gaze and the dense canopy hypnotized him too. He shook his head and shifted his gaze.

It seems that the sky has fallen, the tiger whispered, collecting his thoughts together.

Akapat looked at him. For the first time in so many days he has noticed a frown on his face. So emotions also affect the impassive tiger, he said with respite in his voice. You are as human as we all are.

Oh you mean to say less tiger, the tiger replied regaining his joviality.

Something like that, Akapat replied sheepishly.

Of course, i am much human like, the Tiger replied. Remember i told you i was born in a circus.

What is a circus? Akapat inquired.

The tiger looked up and spoke. It is a small world where the sky is as low as this canopy. It is enclosed, it is claustrophobic and it is suffocating.

and, Akapat said, trying to decipher what the tiger spoke.

We have many animals there, just like the jungle. Dangerous animals such as tiger and lions, benevolent animals like elephant and horses and funny animals like money and parrots, and more.

That sounds interesting, Akapat said.

It is interesting indeed for the humans, the tiger scornfully. It is so interesting that humans pay money to watch the circus.

Is it bad? Akapat asked sensing the tigers mood.

It is, the tiger continue, if you consider the human perspective. You pay and you get amused by seeing the tiger being tamed and elephants being controlled. You laugh when a bear rides a bicycle, you shout when a lion perform a jig.

they actually do it ? Akapat was aghast.

Yes they actually do. Hunger and fear makes you do anything and everything.

Do you care to explain , Akapat stopped on his tracks and turned around and asked the tiger.

The Humans, cage the animal, train them by intimidation and reward, subjugating their will to resist. And they call us animals. The tiger had contempt in his voice.

Akapat felt betrayed. Do they really really do it.

There is so much in the world,my boy what you need not learn. Circus is one of them.

But you still choose to help me, Akapat was overwhelmed.

I didn’t choose to help you boy, the tiger smiled, i choose to help myself by not becoming like them. You are incidental.

Is that so, Akapat felt impaired. Am i just incidental.

You were, the tiger said. But now you are the whole incident.

Don’t lie to keep my heart, Akapat said with hauteur.

No i am not, the tiger spoke phlegmatically. So far you are what i human should be. And that is rare.

And a toothless tiger with no claws is also rare, Akapat spoke candidly.

That is what binds us together, the tiger said, nudging him to walk, we have a long distance to cover. I just want to get across this dinginess soon.

……