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FOLKTALES
THE MAGIC PEARL AND THE PEACEFUL BLUE LOTUS
By Chandrani Warnasuriya( A Short Story, based on the National Flower of Sri Lanka; woven round historical fact, myth and legend. Written to mark the World day of Peace September 21st 2009).
Once there was an extremely beautiful pond, the most beautiful of all anywhere South of the Vindhyan mountains of India. Its clear crystal waters reflected an iridescent deep blue under the glowing sun during the day. At night the moon loved to dance in it mirroring itself swaying to and fro in its rippling waters, under clear night skies.
The streams that fed the pond, equally added to the beauty of its surroundings, descending as it were from mystic celestial regions in the sky. Luxurious plants, ferns and creepers bordered its shores; while exotic birds, bees and butterflies fluttered and hummed merry tunes in gay abandon, as they courted their beloveds in the variety of scented blossoms that grew round its meadows.
The pond was the home to a number of water lilies and flower fairies, that inhabited them.
One day three flower fairies sat bubbling, talking and chattering among themselves. Suddenly one of the flower fairies called out to another cautioning her, Watch out Chaturi, you will trip and fall into the water, she shouted, catching her friend and lending her a helping hand to get over to a Lilly pad as she came zooming across the pond in haste, panting and looking highly excited.
I couldn't understand if she was some kind of a nymph or angel in human form, she muttered to herself in earnest.
Helping her friend get on to a spreading lily pad, Gayathri one of the Flower fairies tapped her friend on her back gently and said,Calm down Chaturi, What is it? What's troubling you? she queried getting closer and mounting a lily pad right next to her friend.
I've, just seen the most beautiful maiden I've ever seen in all my life,said Chaturi, still panting and gasping for breathe.
A beautiful woman? You must be dreaming! How can there be maidens in this deep forest? You must be caught up with some hallucination, remarked Gayathri, the First Flower fairy turning around to hold her favorite butterfly Deepak popping up and fluttering around her to catch her attention.
No, no. It's true. I saw her, I saw her. I couldn't take my eyes off her charming figure, insisted Chaturi
.
Where was she? Â What was she doing? Was she by herself or in the company of others? Questioned the First Flower fairy quite anxiously, sitting down and straightening herself on the lily pad and making herself comfortable.
She was sitting over there by herself on a rock, looking deep into the forest said Chaturi the Second Flower fairy, pointing her finger in the direction of the forest. I didnt wish to disturb her or talk to her. I thought of fetching you and Savithri first and together we could go and approach her.
Savithri come over here, shouted the First Flower fairy, to the third, who was playing with and enjoying the company of Nala her favorite dragon fly.
The three flower fairies then zoomed, flitting  across the pond, that lay gleaming and shining bright under a noon day sun. The pond was inhabited by an array of aquatic creatures and plants located in a quiet opening in an enchanted forest named Asoka Vana.
Quietly reaching another side of the pond, the three flower fairies proceeded towards a rocky platform. Poised on it truly sat a maiden of exquisite beauty. She wore a soft silken blouse and a richly embroidered skirt, flowing down from her waist and touching the ground. A shawl covered the top part of her body which she had draped around her body from shoulder to shoulder. Her deep black hair flowing from head to waist added to her extraordinary beauty. Bundling up all her jewelry the maiden had hung them up on the branch of a tree. Engrossed in deep thought, she stared deep into the forest as if awaiting the arrival of a seeker any moment.
The three flower fairies then quietly tip-toed over to the maiden. Unaware of the fairy visitors, the maiden sighed a deep sigh, then tightening her shawl wrapped around her body as if in fear she turned around and ducked to go and hide behind the rock. What a surprise! As she caught sight of the winged damsels. She was about to shriek and let off a loud cry, when the First Flower fairy stepped forward and laid a finger on her lips and said, Sssh¦.h ! Don't be afraid. We mean no harm to you
Satisfied the maiden plopped back on the rocky seat, looking up intently at her fairy visitors in absolute dismay. Then gathering herself together, falteringly she asked,Who, Who are you?
We are Flower fairies, and this pond is our home. They pointed to the pond. Stepping up the First Flower fairy said, I am Gayathri, the flower fairy of the white water lily, she said.
I am Chaturi, the Flower fairy of the yellow water lily, added the second Flower fairy flitting and stepping up behind the First.
I am Savithri, the Flower fairy of the pink water Lily, said the third, stepping up behind her fairy fiends, to greet the maiden.
Who are you? And What is your name? Asked the First Flower fairy, whilst the others looked on, curious to know more about this extraordinarily beautiful maiden
My name is Seetha, said the maiden in a soft gentle voice. My husband Rama and I were passing through the forest, when my husband was seduced and led astray by the Demon king Ravana who thereafter wooed me into becoming his wife. I flatly refused him and managed to evade his advances. In anger, he has constantly been sending warrior Rakshasas terrorizing me and trying to persuade me into giving my consent. Rama loves me very much and I know he will somehow come and get me. I am his wife and I will never want to be disloyal to him and I will never live without him, said Seetha sobbing and burying her face in her shawl.
Dont worry, we will help you and protect you from the Rakshasa armies.â Said the Flower fairies trying to console the weeping maiden.
Listen, said Gayathri, the First Flower fairy bending over and throwing a caring look at the disturbed Seetha. We each are possessed with powerful magical ornaments which can extinguish any powerful demonic force. Do what we tell you, and you will be safe.
Seetha was happy, her face brightened up. She stopped crying and thanked the Flower fairies for their concern and promised to do as she was told. Handing over a ring the First Flower fairy said, When you see the Rakshasa armies approaching wear this ring and stretch out your hand. The armies will instantly become powerless and they will turn back and retreat.
The Second Flower fairy, spoke next and gave the maiden a bracelet. If another army of Rakshasas were to come, wear this bracelet, she said, Instantly luminous rays will emanate from it and shoot out and frighten the men and they will all withdraw at the sight of your hand and never return. She said and stepped back.
The Third Flower fairy was the next to speak. Removing an anklet from her feet she gave it to the maiden and said, Wear this anklet on your right foot and when you see a Rakshasa army approaching, put your right foot forward, and the anklet will let off shafts of light like arrows and pierce through the air straight in the direction of the men. Frightened they will all withdraw and run away, said the Flower fairy and got back with the others. They also gave her some food items, fruits, nuts berries and honey to eat and promised to return on the fourth day. Flitting and spinning the winged damsels got back in the  pond and mounting their lily pads they sailed, whisking away.
Each day for three days at the approach of the Rakshasas, Seetha following the instructions of he Flower fairies, held out the ring at first and vanquished the army. On the return of the armies, she bravely held out the bracelet and the anklet and in this way managed to rid herself of the warrior armies and waited anxiously for the return of the Flower fairies.
On the fourth day at the crack of dawn., Seetha was awakened by the sound of chanting of  mantras at the entrance to the rock cave where she slept at night. She peeped outside to see what it was. It was a Rishi, who looked somewhat like a dwarf. He had a message of warning from Ravana, which he communicated to her in the form of a sign language and went away.
The messenger indicated that Ravana was furious at her destruction of his armies and would soon come to get her himself. Seetha shuddered and trembled at the thought of Ravana. How she wished that the Flower fairies would return soon and help her out one more time.
As the first rays of sunlight broke in through the forest, quietly lighting up the meadow beyond, Seetha hurried towards the pond in the hope of meeting the Flower fairies. She was horrified and troubled over and over again at the thought of having to face the monstrous ten headed Demon king, Ravana, who was seemingly indestructible for he was endowed with a special boon of invincibility from the gods.
She sighed and sobbed and a quaint murmur escaped her lips as she raised her eyes to heaven pleading for help from the gods.
Just then Seetha was startled by a gentle tap on her back. Turning around she was more than happy to see that the Flower fairies were back. Wiping her tears Seetha confided to the Flower fairies of the message from Ravana and that he would be at the rock cave to get her any moment.
The Flower fairies hesitated. A hush came over the bubbling and chattering Flower fairies. They moved closer together, pooling their thoughts and conversed with each other.
I dont't think we can help her this time against the dreadful Ravana, remarked Chaturi
We have parted with all our treasures in order to help her, and we do not have anything more, added Savithri.
Wait a minute, quipped Gayathri. I know a way we can help her. We can ask our friend Shanthini (Flower Fairy of the Blue Lotus) to come to our aid. She has the best magical ornament of us all. Let'sgo over and find her, said Gayathri and the three Flower fairies hurried down the pond to talk to the Blue Lotus. Before they left the Flower fairies cautioned Seetha to stay behind a Banyan grove till they returned.
At a corner of the pond was a stately looking water lily, gorgeously clad in a deep blue. Holding herself high above the surrounding water she looked graceful and solemnly undisturbed, an epitome of calm and peace and sobriety.
Slowly gliding over, Gayathri the more forward one of the Flower fairies was the first to speak.Shanthini, we need your help. She exclaimed and she related the story of Seetha's need for help against the Demon king Ravana.
The kind and gracious Blue Lotus Flower fairy agreed to help and together she went over to see the maiden.
D'on't worry Seetha I will help you vanquish Ravana, she said comforting her. Then plucking a magical pearl hidden in her brooch she wore in her hair, she handed it over to Seetha and said, When you see Ravana approaching don't be afraid, put on a stern look, and look straight in his eye and hold the pearl right in front of his face and his powers will all vanish and be taken away from him and you will see him retreating and receding back to his palace in Lanka and you will never see him any more. Neither will he try to abduct you or force you to become his wife. She said, and together with the other fairies went down to the pond to take care of their daily routine.
It was past mid-day when Seetha heard the rumbling and tumbling noise of Ravanaâ chariots and warriors mounted on elephants armed with bows and arrows heading in her direction. Seetha stood fearless and put on a bold front as instructed by the Flower fairies. She was ready to meet the foe. Then as Rravana advanced, she looked straight in his eyes and with one stretch of her hand held out the magic pearl right in front of his face.. Sharp and piercing luminous rays darted from the pearl, blinding Ravana and his men.
How wonderful! The chariots sank to the ground and the wheels getting dislocated, the charioteers were thrown over board and the bows and arrows went flying through the air and fell to the ground. Ravana and his men lay prostrate on the ground. Then quickly getting up Ravana ordered his men to go back.
Seetha couldn't believe her eyes, for the retreating men came back only to pick up their bows and arrows and run away. She couldn't be more delighted, for she had defeated and won over the mighty Ravana.
Feeling quite free and happy, Seetha now sat petting her animal friends lovingly, the deer, the monkeys, the rabbits the cheetahs and mongoose and other animals who now rallied round her as if to share her happiness and contentment at her victory.
No sooner the Flower fairies returned, bubbling and chuckling in their fairy chatter Seetha thanked them profusely and returned the magic ornaments that helped her win the battles.
In a fierce battle between Rama who was still searching for Seetha and Ravana who was bent on taking Setha by killing Rama, Ravana was defeated and Rama was happily re-united with his beloved Seetha.
What happened to the magnificent magic pearl that defeated  the Demon king Ravana turned out to be a fascinating story. Shanthini, the calm and peaceful Flower fairy of the Blue Lotus solemnly buried the magic pearl in the heart of the Blue Lotus Lily and in later years it grew up to be the Paradise Isle of Lanka and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!
