Anushka Paints Multicolor Appu - Chapter 8

Anushka Paints

Multicolor Appu the Elephant.  

Chapter 8:

All Friends Change Their Features

And come to their original Form.

Friends Waiting for Appu

It was Sunday morning! Grogor, Tuntin and Neelu with their parents had gathered in the clearing amidst the Jungle. It was their usual meeting place. Pancharangi’s Mommy had brought Pancharangi directly from the Jungle Hospital. Now all were waiting for Appu.

“Wow! YES!! At last it is Sunday morning!”

“It is 8-30 now. He has promised to come at 9. But the Clock is also running slow today.”

“In a short while from now, we will see Appu coming. Then we will go to Anushka’s Palace and wait till 11 o’clock.”

“Sevening, the fairy will come there to reverse the magic.”

Everybody was so eager to go to the Palace that they couldn’t wait.  

“But where is Appu?”

“Why he is not coming?”

“Why he is so late?”

Then they saw Appu coming ‘Doolat Doooolat, Doolat Doooolat, Doolat Doooolat.’

“Oh! He is so slow!!”

“Why he is coming ‘Doolat Doooolat’?”       

“Why, he should run! Run fast!!”

“Doesn’t he know, we are waiting? We are very eager to go to Anushka’s Palace?” 

“Oh Appu, Run! Run!!” 

“Run! Run fast!!!” Everybody shouted. 

1: Friends Waiting for Appu

When Appu came, he was panting.

“Oh! Appu, why are you so late?” Grogor grumbled.

“And why were you coming Dooolat Doooooolat.”

“I am not late. And I came running. I knew you were waiting for me. It is just 5 min to 9. You were very eager and impatient, that’s why you felt like I was coming slowly.”

“Okay, okay! Don’t waste time in giving explanations.”

“Let’s go.”

Then Appu lifted them all, one by one, and put them on his back. He was almost running and panting but everyone thought he was walking very slowly, Doooolat, Doooooooolat.

2: Friends Going to Palace

When they reached the palace, Anushka, Saya, Sonya and Blumini were waiting for them. They all shouted with excitement of seeing each other but they were so weak the only sound that came out was “Hiiiii”.

“Hi!” Saya said. “How are you?”

“We are very miserable, as you can see.”

 “Yes, you look very week also. But your misery will end soon. I have phoned ‘Sevening’ and she is on the way.” Saya said.

Everybody looked at the Clock on the tower. It was 10-30 A.M. “At 11 O'clock the Magic will be over and we will come to our Original Form and have Unique Individual Features”, everybody was thinking. “And the week-long misery will be over.” 

Everybody was waiting impatiently. There was utter silence because they feared that even the utterance of a word would slow the time.

3: All Waiting for Reversal of Magic

Then came Sevening. It was 10-45.

“Welcome Sevening”, Anushka and Saya said.

“Now only 15 minutes.” All Whispered. “… now only 10 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … and … 1 minute.”

Their sound started to climb. “Now 40 sec, 30, 20, …” 

“It’s a Countdown!!!” Saya shouted.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and ... 1. …” All shouted.

“Bong, Bong, Bong …” the clock struck 11.

Then there was a pin drop silence. Everybody was looking at Sevening with expectation.

4: Countdown

Sevening was ready with her magic wand. Just as the clock struck 11 she waved the magic wand and whispered the magic words.

And Ohh! Everybody came to their original Form.

At first they couldn’t believe themselves. Their usual characters seemed so familiar and comfortable; so special and unique; so simple, practical and natural; at the same time so heavenly and unnaturally pleasing; it was like a miracle.

All friends, Anushka, Saya and Appu were so overwhelmed with the joy that all started crying. It was very usual to have usual original characters. But now they had realized the importance and value of usual and routine things. So they were very happy. They were very weak to dance but there eyes were dancing.

5: All Happy after Reversal of Magic

Queen Sonal and King Abhi were also happy. They loved Anushka and Saya as they were, not for the color of their eyes or length of hair. They were happy because all have realized the value or real important things. “Thank You Sevening for all you did. And thank you Appu.” They said.    

Appu was really great. He was a true friend. He helped all his friends when they really needed him the most.

But Saya was curious. “Sevening, you were aware of what will happen to all friends and how miserable they will be. Then why did you do the magic?  You could have refused straight away.”

“True realization of value of really important things comes from real experience only.” Said Sevening and then, Zuooikkkkkkk … she disappeared. 

… … …

“Okay!” Queen Sonal said. “Let’s go for party. I know you all are very hungry.”

“Yeeeeeeeeeesss! Party!!!” All shouted and went in the Palace Dining Hall. 
  

6: Party in the Palace

End of Chapter 8

End of the Story

Told by

Rajan Aaba & Anushka

Illustrated by

Rajan

Anushka Paints Multicolor Appu - Chapter 7

Anushka Paints

Multicolor Appu the Elephant.  

Chapter 7: Miserable Week

All Desperately Waiting for Reversal of Magic

That night was very lonely and miserable for all in the jungle and in the Palace.

Next day morning was not better. 

Early in the morning Appu come in the jungle. One by one he knocked the doors and called his friends. But only the parents of his friends came out. On seeing Appu alone they all started shouting.  

“Oh, Appu! Where are our children?”

“What has happened to them? Yesterday they went to Anushka’s Palace with you.”

“We thought, you were staying at the palace overnight and will be back today morning. Now you are here and where are our children?  

 “Oh! We were late yesterday,” Appu said. “But I left them here. Were they not at home?”  

“Oh, no! Where are they?”

Everybody started searching and they found all his friends lying in the grass outside the doors of their houses. They were so weak that they couldn’t even get up and call their parents.

“Oh! But they are not our children!! They look so weird!!!” cried all the parents.

“Yes, they are! This is Tuntin, this is Pancharangi, he is Neelu and he is Grogor.” Then Appu explained how everybody wanted to change their features, how they called Sevening, the fairy, how she did the Magic that changed their features for the whole week and all that had happened yesterday.

“But have you not changed your features?” all parents asked.

“No. I am satisfied with what I have. And I was warning them also against doing such dangerous thing. Even Anushka and Sevening were also warning them. But they didn’t listen.”

“Oh! We are very sorry Mom and Dad”, everybody was crying. “We will not do such foolishness again. But please pardon us and accept us now. We are very hungry, thirsty and miserable. And we have spent all the night outside, without you.” 

The parents accepted them and they all went into their homes. But they still couldn’t eat. They could only drink some water, sweet lime juice, vegetable soup and mutton soup. For the whole week they couldn’t move or do anything. They were hungry, weak, sad and miserable. And they were desperately waiting for the next Sunday.

Pancharangi couldn’t even do that so his parents had to admit him in the Jungle hospital. The Doctor had to keep him on IV saline for next 6 days.

In the palace, Anushka was miserable too. In the morning, to her surprise, she found herself in the heap of hair, in an unfamiliar room. She was feeling dizzy. Somehow she stud up and looked around. There was a big mirror and an unknown girl with blue eyes and very long golden hair was looking at her. To her shock, she was her, her image looking at her through the mirror.

But then she again started admiring herself, “Oh! How golden and long are my hair and how dazzling blue are my eyes and how beautiful I am.” But then with weakness she fell down in her hair.

At breakfast Sonal was crying, “where is my dear Anushka? Where has she gone?” King Abhi was also very worried. But he was the King. So he couldn’t cry.

Then Saya remembered, “Oh! Anushka had also changed her features. When I last saw her yesterday, she had long golden hair and blue eyes. She was looking very different.”

“Oh! But where is she?” Sonal asked.

“She must be in the palace. Let’s search all the rooms.” So they all started to search all the rooms.  

In the 100^th room Anushka was still looking in the mirror. But then, with weakness she was falling down in her hair. Then she was trying again to stand up and look into the mirror. This happened many times during the day. At last she fell down and couldn’t stand up.

In the evening she was lying in her tangled hair, very weak and unable to get up. For two days she had no food and water. Now she was missing her Mom and Dad and Saya. She felt miserable and lonely. She started crying. She remembered what had happened yesterday, the magic, change of features, her advice to all against changing the features and at last her own demand to change the color of her eyes and hair. She remembered all and regretted. She shouldn’t have changed her characters. But what could she do now? Except to wait for 1 whole week and hope for the reversal of magic.

When Saya, Abhi and Sonal reached the 100^th room, they found a girl with golden hair, lying in the heap of hair, crying and calling her Mommy.

“This is Anushka.” Saya said. “Now I remember. After magic, she was looking very different with blue eyes and long golden hair. I saw her leaving the garden and running towards the Palace.”

At first Sonal couldn’t recognize Anushka. But then she recognized Anushka’s voice and cry. 

 1: King Abhi & Queen Sonal Find Anushka in the Room 100

“Oh! Anushka, my baby, what has happened? What have you done to yourself?” Sonal asked. She was also crying.

“It was my mistake. I was advising others against changing their features and then I myself did the same mistake. Now the magic won’t get reversed till next Sunday. What can I do? My friends must also be miserable like me.” 

“And what is this dirty smell,” Sonal asked. 

“I think that is of long unwashed tangled hair.” Saya said.

“Okay! Don’t worry. We will take care of you. First of all, have some drink and food and have some rest. Tomorrow morning we will wash your hair. Don’t worry now.” Sonal said.

On the third day Sonal had to spend all morning untangling, combing and washing, ‘Ghassun, Pussoon’, Anushka’s hair. They were long, golden and initially beautiful but now they had become dirty and foul smelling. Both were tired after hair management program.

“Mommy, now I understand why you always tell me to cut them short and manageable” Anushka said.  

“At least till you manage them by yourself. Long hairs look good but need continuous and proper maintenance. Now that you have to spend much time, for next few years, for MORE IMPORTANT THINGS like Study, Games, your Singing lessons, Jujitsu and good health, you can’t afford to waste time for hair maintenance.” Sonal said.

“Yes Mom. It was very foolish of me to wish for long golden hair and blue eyes. ”

“As such you are beautiful and we all love you as you are. You don’t have to do anything more or foolish for that.”

On the 4^th day Appu came from Jungle and told Anushka about her friends and their miserable condition.

“Oh! I am very sorry. I shouldn’t have called Sevening.” Anushka said.

“No. It was not your fault. You were telling them against doing such thing. But they were not in a mood to listen.” Appu said.

“You and Saya are really wise not to do such dangerous thing.”

“Oh! But it was you who told me the other day when I came to you to change my color. You told me the importance of what we have and why we should be satisfied with it.” 

“Yes. But what a shame, I forgot it myself.”

Till lunch time Appu and Saya played with Anushka. In the afternoon Appu told her other funny stories from the Jungle and tried to lessen Anushka’s misery. Next day Appu and Saya went to the Jungle to play with friends. They were very weak to play. But Saya spent all the day with them. So they felt better.

During the whole week everybody experienced many problems. They couldn’t eat and couldn’t drink properly. They had to remain in their homes, near their parents, because they were unable to defend themselves. They were very conspicuous and could not hide because of their changed characters. They had no camouflage. They could not move fast and properly to run away from danger.

But now they all realized the importance of unique gifts everybody naturally had. They realized the importance of their unique characters. And they realized how it was more important to be with parents; to have water and food; to movie easily and fast; to have a sound sleep and, most of all, to be safe.  

Now they were very eager to come back to their normal appearance. Everybody was waiting for the end of that week when the magic would be over.

It was Friday evening when Saya went home after spending the whole day with them.

The countdown had started. Everybody said – now we will have dinner and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be Saturday.

Saturday morning … afternoon … evening … dinner … sleep … and …

Wow! YES!! It is Sunday morning! In a short while from now, we will see Appu coming. We will go to Anushka’s Palace and wait for Sevening to reverse the magic. 
 

2: Friends Waiting for Appu

End of Chapter 7

Told by

Rajan Aaba & Anushka

Illustrated by

Rajan

Anushka Paints Multicolor Appu - Chapter 6

Anushka Paints

Multicolor Appu the Elephant.  

Chapter 6: Lonely and Miserable Night

1: Appu brings All Friends to Jungle

It was late evening when Appu reached the Jungle. It was getting dark.

First he went to Pancharangi’s Home. He lifted Pancharangi with his trunk and put him on the ground.

“I know, your home is up, in the topmost branches of the trees. Can you go there?” Appu asked.

“I will call my mommy. She will take me home”, said Pancharangi.

“We can wait till then”

“No, no! It is getting late. You can go home. Bye.”

“Okay! Bye-bye.” Everybody said and Appu went further.

2: Appu Leaves Pancharangi in the Jungle

Deep in the jungle, they reached their usual playing place. Appu lifted Tuntin, Neelu and Grogor with his trunk, one by one and put them on the ground.

“I will call your parents.” Appu said.

“Oh! Don’t bother. We will go home from here. Thanks for carrying us.”

 “Oh! Don’t mention. You were so tired. And it was nothing for me.”

“You can go now. It is late. Your Mommy will also be waiting for you. Bye-bye!”  

Appu said bye-bye to them and went to his home.

His Mommy was waiting for him. He told her all the events during the day. He was also very sad. Because he knew, all his friends were tired, hungry and sad. With the thought of it he also couldn’t eat properly.

3: Appu leaves Grogor, Neelu and Tuntin in the Jungle

Very tired and hungry Tuntin, Neelu and Grogor went to their homes. It was getting very dark in the Jungle.

When all reached their homes, they knocked the doors. Their parents opened the doors but refused to let them in. They could not even recognize them and closed the doors again. That was the most heart-breaking thing.

They had to sleep outside their homes. They were tired and hungry. And now they were very frightened also because it was very dark and cold in the jungle. Now they were feeling sorry for changing their characters.

Tuntin was scared that somebody will kill and eat him. He was unable to run so he hid himself in a thick bush. Neelu tried to hide himself in the thick grass but he couldn’t hide his big head. But that saved him. Because whoever saw him thought that it was some big animal sitting in the grass. Grogor was also frightened. Anybody could have attacked his long, slender and beautiful neck. So he hid his neck in the grass and kept only his head above the grass. 

4: Lonely Night in the Jungle – 3 Friends

It was dangerous out in the Jungle at night and they had no protection. But now they couldn’t do anything about it. They were crying and trembling with fear but the magic would not get reversed for 1 week.

At last they slept due to seer fatigue of the day.

Pancharangi’s home was at the top of a tall tree. But he was unable to fly to his house. He was very tired and he could not even lift his trunk. He was crying and calling his Mommy. Now he regretted that he had not asked Appu to call his Mommy.

On the top of the tree, his mommy was also flying around the tree and searching him. But it was dark now and he was far below on the ground so she could not see him. She could not even hear his calls and cry.

At last he buried himself in the dry leaves below the tree and slept there, alone, tired, frightened, hungry and miserable. 

5: Lonely Night in the Jungle -Pancharangi

Now they really understood the importance of their own characters and features. And now they were really very sorry for not listening the advice of their true friends Appu and Anushka. Even Sevening, the fairy, also was advising them against the magic. But now it was too late.  

Their parents were also waiting for them in their houses and were very worried. But how could they know that those sleeping outside the door; hungry and miserable; were their children. They could not even recognize them. 

Near the palace, when Sonya reached his home, his parents also couldn’t recognize him and they shut the door. Then all dogs in the town started barking loudly and tried to attack him. He had to run fast away from them to save himself. But the dogs followed him till the end of the town.

Blumini’s parents recognized her but she couldn’t even enter her home because of her long legs and antlers.

In the palace, Anushka was also very tired and hungry.

But she was looking at her blue eyes and golden hairs in the mirror. She was so engrossed in admiring herself that she forgot everything. She forgot her friends, the events of the day, the magic, Saya and her Mommy and Daddy. She even forgot to go for dinner. She was only looking at herself in the mirror and was smiling foolishly.

So, at last, due to hunger, fatigue and tiredness she fell down in her hair and slept there. 

6: Anushka Sleeping in the Room 100

Now Appu was in his home and Saya was in the palace, both having dinner with their parents. But they had no appetite. They were also not happy because all their friends and Anushka were hungry, tired, cold and miserable.

King Abhi and Queen Sonal were also very worried. They couldn’t have dinner without Anushka. They had sent many men in the nearby towns to search for Anushka. 
That night in the jungle and in the Palace was very lonely and miserable for all.   

End of Chapter 6

Told by

Rajan Aaba & Anushka

Illustrated by

Rajan

Anushka Paints Multicolor Appu - Chapter 5

Anushka Paints

Multicolor Appu the Elephant.  

Chapter 5: All Friends Change Their Features

Fairy Sevening warned all the friends again. “This magic is not reversible. I will not be able to reverse it. Think again before changing the characters. … And you will be responsible for what happens next. Don't blame me. … Are you ready?”

 “Yes!!! We are ready” everybody shouted. “We are very excited about changing characters.”

Fairy Sevening said, “Okay! Who is the first?” 

Pancharangi parrot came forward and said, “I want a thick and long trunk like Appu.”

Sevening said, “OK! You will have what you want. "Phewish, Whick, Whick, Whick,” and Pancharangi had a long and thick trunk. He was very happy and started to clap with his wings. 

Then came Neelu. He wanted a big head. So she made it very big like Appu’s head. But while doing it Neelu’s legs also became thick like tree-trunks.

Tuntin wanted a big tummy like Appu. Fairy did the magic and Tuntin had a big tummy that was almost touching the ground. ‘Now I can eat lots of food’ He thought. 

Then she turned Grogor’s neck into long, slender neck, like Neelu. The neck also had peacock-blue color. But his nose also turned peacock-blue and he had a crest on the head like Neelu. That was looking very funny. 

Now Blumini and Sonya said, “We also want to change characters.” Blumini wanted antlers like Tuntin and Sonya wanted 5 colored wings like Pancharangi. 

So, Fairy Sevening changed their characters also. But while changing over, Blumini also had long and slender legs like Tuntin and Sonya had a beak also. 

Everybody was very delighted and happy. All started laughing just by looking at each other. They were enjoying the change in characters. 

Then Anushka came to Sevening and said, “I also want to change some of my characters.” 

“Oh Anushka! You also?” Appu said.

“Why not? It’s only for a week.”

“Oh, Didi, don’t do that. I like you and love you as you are. I want you as you are.” Saya said.

“Oh, Anushka, don’t do that.” Appu also said. “YOU were advising us not to change our features and characters; not even the colors. Are you not satisfied with what you have, and what is unique about you? 

“Anushka, think again. It is not advisable.” Sevening requested.

But Anushka was not in a mood to listen. “I want blue eyes and golden hair. Please do it for me if you can.”  

Just as Sevening was doing the magic Anushka said, “Golden hair but just shoulder-length.” But the magic was over. Anushka had very long golden hair almost reaching to her feet.

Sevening also asked Saya and Appu whether they also wanted to change their characters. But Saya said, “I am happy with what I have.” And Appu refused.

Sevening said, “Remember the magic will last till 11 o'clock next Sunday. Till that time I will not be able to reverse the magic.” And then she vanished. Nobody paid any attention to her. They were so excited, laughing and trying to dance that they even forgot to say goodbye to her.

Pancharangi started to fly with joy. But he could not lift the trunk. He fluttered his wings very fast. His body and tail were high in the air. But he could not lift the trunk and he could not fly. He tried again and again but nothing happened. He fell to the ground exhausted. He was very tired with the efforts. He could only walk backwards very slowly and was just able to drag his trunk. That’s all he could do.

Tuntin started to run. But while moving the tummy was moving lubu-lubu in between his legs and he could not run. With excitement, he tried to jump but he fell down on his tummy.

At first, the big head on Neelu’s long neck was properly balanced. But when he started to movie its weight shifted to one side and he could not balance it. It fell to one side with a jerk to his neck and he cried in pain. Everybody started to laugh. He couldn’t lift it and when he tried to lift it with force it went to another side and almost touched the ground. He could not balance it properly and it fell down to one side and then to another side. His neck was aching and then he became so tired he could not lift the head from the ground. He was crying and everybody else was laughing. 

Grogor had the same problem of balancing his head on long slender neck. The head was moving and turning and dangling uncontrollably and he was having problem maintaining his poise and pride. As such he was looking so funny that everybody was laughing just by looking at him. He was angry and started to shout loudly but only soft “miew-meu-meeyu” came from his mouth. It was a mixture of sound made by cat and peacock. Everybody laughed and his remaining pride came to pieces.

Blumini was jumping with joy and excitement but could not keep her balance on long slender legs. When, at last, she was able to keep her balance, she jumped so high that her newly acquired antlers tangled in the branches of the tree. When she was trying desperately to come down, everybody was laughing. Then, at last, one branch of the tree broke and she fell down.

Sonya was admiring his beautiful small multicolored wings. But then he saw his front legs reduced to a very small size. He could not stand properly on all four legs. So he tried to stand and walk on only two hind legs. Then he fluttered his wings in an attempt to fly. But with small wings he could not fly. He was looking so funny that everybody was laughing at his clumsy attempts to walk and fly. He was angry and started to bark but the only sound coming from his parrot like beak was “Chu, Chuh, Chuh, Chuh”. Then he also started to laugh.     

All seemed very happy that they have changed characters and some body parts. And they were very excited to try new things. In that attempt they were doing many weird things and looking so funny that everybody was laughing at each other.

But where were Appu and Saya? They were standing nearby and looking at others in amusement. 

  

“Appu, have you not changed your characters?” Sonya asked.

Appu said, “No. I am satisfied with what I am and what I have. I don’t want to change anything. Anushka has told me last time that you should be proud and contented with what you have. Everybody is different from others and is unique. First I was reluctant to accept this. But now, seeing at you, I am fully convinced that it is madness to look at others and wish to be like them. I am really surprised, why Anushka also changed her characters.”

Then everybody said, “But where is Anushka?” They searched everywhere in the garden, but could not find her.

‘Bong.’ The clock struck 1. “Anushka, Saya, please call your friends.” Anushka’s mommy, Queen Sonal called from the palace. “Lunch is ready.”

Everybody went in the palace. “Where is Anushka?” They asked Anushka’s mommy.

“I don't know. I thought she is with you.” Queen Sonal said. “And what is this? What have you done to yourself? You are looking very funny.” 

“It’s a magic. Fairy Sevening has changed our characters. Anushka has also changed some of her characters. That much we know. But now we cannot find her. She is probably in the palace.” 

Then, all searched for Anushka in the palace. There were 100 bedrooms in the palace. They searched 99 rooms and at last they found one girl in the last bedroom. She had long golden hair up to her heels and blue eyes. She was standing in front of a large Oval mirror and looking in the mirror at herself.  

 “What are you doing here? Come for lunch.” Appu said.

But she paid no attention. She was totally lost in admiring herself.

Mommy called her for lunch but she paid no attention. Then, as if coming out of a dream Anushka turns slowly towards Mommy. Mommy could not recognize her. “Who is this girl with Long Golden hair and Blue eyes? She is not Anushka. Is she Goldilocks or Rapunzel or Cinderella? And what is she doing here in Anushka’s bedroom?” Queen Sonal asked.

 “Oh! We don’t know.” All said.

Then everybody except Anushka went for lunch.

But nobody could eat anything. Pancharangi could not even lift his trunk to eat fruit and cheese. When he was desperately trying to eat chili Grogor placed it in front of his trunk. Pancharangi sucked it in his trunk and Oy-Oyy-Oy-Oyy. It was burning inside the trunk and he started to cry. Then at last he was able to sneeze it out. But still it was burning inside for few hours.

When Grogor tried to swallow a big piece of mutton the piece stuck into his delicate slender neck. It was not going down and it was not coming out. He was choking and his eyes went white. At last he could manage to cough it out.

When Neelu the peacock bent forward to pic a piece of cake he could not balance his big head and it fell into the cake in the dish in front of him. All his face got smeared with the icing and cake. Everybody started to laugh. 

When Blumini tried to eat she could not reach the food in the dish because of her long legs and when she folded her legs and managed to reach the food the antlers came in between the dish and her mouth. It was impossible. And in the efforts the dish of milk turned upside down. Again everybody laughed.

Sonya was unable to stand and when he somehow sat down on his hind legs he was unable to eat. Saya tried to feed him but with his parrot-like beak he could not open his mouth properly.  

Tuntin was eating and eating and eating. But he was not satisfied. His tummy was not getting full at all. Queen Sonal was tired of serving him. All food supply from the kitchen and from the stores in the palace got exhausted after serving Tuntin. But his stomach was empty and he was not satisfied. Then Queen Sonal ordered for all the food from the town. But still his stomach was not getting full. He was feeling hungry and was demanding for more and more food.  

Anushka, in the 100^th room, was not even present for the lunch. She was so engrossed in looking in the mirror and admiring herself that she forgot to go to lunch. She was looking in the mirror and laughing madly and saying again and again, “Oh! My eyes are blue and my hair are so long and beautifully golden and Ohhh!! My blue eyes are so beautiful and my hair are silky blond and long and Oh-hoh-hoooo!!! My eyes are sparkling blue! … and My golden hair … and my …”    

Only Saya and Appu could eat their lunch.

So, with all types of tasty cuisines available, nobody could eat anything. Then they tried to play but they could not even move properly. They all were looking so funny that they were busy laughing and teasing each other.

At last it was evening and it was getting dark. All friends were very very tired. With their changed characters they had tried hard for the whole day to move around and were very exhausted. They hadn’t had their lunch also. So they were very hungry. All were eager to go home. But they couldn’t find Anushka. So, all said goodbye to her Mommy.

Sonya and Blumini went to their homes behind the palace. But Sonya’s mother couldn’t recognize him and didn’t allow him to enter the house. Blumini couldn’t even try to enter her house with her long legs and antlers.

“Appu, we are very tired and cannot walk also. Can you please carry us back to our homes?” Friends from jungle asked Appu.

“Okay.” Appu said. He lifted them one by one and put them on his back and went to the jungle. 

And on the way also they were teasing each other and laughing at each other. They looked very happy but really they were not. And they all were feeling very weak because nobody has eaten anything since morning.

When they reached their homes in the jungle their parents also refused to let them in their houses. They could not even recognize them. 

Tuntin, Neelu and Grogor had to sleep outside their houses. They were tired and hungry. And now they were very frightened also because it was dark and cold in the jungle. And their parents could not even recognize them. That was the most heart-breaking thing. Now they were feeling sorry for changing their characters. But now they couldn’t do anything about it. They were crying but the magic would not get reversed for 1 week.

Pancharangi’s home was at the top of a tall tree. But he was unable to fly to his house. He was very tired and he could not even lift his trunk. He was crying and calling his mommy. On the top of the tree, his mommy was also flying around the tree and searching him. But he was far below on the ground so she could not hear his cry. At last he slept on the dry leaves below the tree, alone, tired, frightened, hungry and miserable.

In the palace, Anushka was also very tired and hungry. But she was looking at her blue eyes and golden hairs in the mirror. She was so engrossed in admiring herself that she forgot to go for dinner also. So, at last, due to fatigue and tiredness she fell down in her hair and slept there.  

Now Appu was in his home and Saya was in her palace, both having dinner with their parents. But they were also not happy because all their friends and Anushka were hungry, tired, cold and miserable.

End of Chapter 5

Told by

Rajan Aaba & Anushka

Illustrated by

Rajan