‘And Kovalan, did he force you too?’ asked Father.
I did not wish to blame Kovalan but also could not bring myself to lie, and so, I nodded and tried harder to cry. I made all the right noises, but no tears flowed.
‘There, there, don’t cry, my hessonite, but do you think Kovalan might want to sail your boat again?’ Father stroked my hair and planted a light kiss on my head.
‘I told you, it’s broken!’
‘And yet he encouraged you.’
‘But I did not want to, Father.’
‘Of course, my pearl, I know.’ Looking me in the eye, he said, ‘Young men behave so. Once your precious breaks, they will not want it anymore.’
‘But Kovalan said he will make good the repairs, Father.’
‘Some things cannot be repaired, my cat’s eye.’
‘What things, Father?’
He called my mother, his voice tinged with irritation.
‘Where is her lunch?’
‘What’s the hurry, it’s not as if your precious duckling is starving.’
Mother brought rice cooked with nuts and raisins, and fruits and milk. Placing it on a low table, she shrugged a shoulder at me and walked away, and I made a face at her.
I drank the milk with relish and chose my favourite fruit—sliced mango. As usual, Father watched as I put on a show for him. I ate and wiped the juice on my chin with the back of my hand, and my antics gave Father much pleasure.
‘You remember Uncle and Chinnamma; how would you like to visit them in Madurai?’
‘Are we all going to visit Chinnamma?’ I could not hide my excitement.
‘Yes, as a family.’
I threw up my hands and shouted with joy.
‘You can stay there until a year.’
‘And we can all picnic and enjoy ourselves.’ Again I threw up my hands with glee.
‘Yes, but Father has much work to attend to here and Mother too, and we will visit until a month before returning. But you can stay and enjoy yourself.’ He leaned close and said, ‘Without Mother picking on you.’
I nodded and gave him a mischievous smile. Then the joy bled off, leaving me empty. I looked forward to the adventure of a new place but not without Father and Mother. More puckering, and my lips pushed out, seeking sympathy.
‘I’ll miss you,’ I said.
‘I’ve told you stories about Uncle and Chinnamma’s farm, their cows and goats, and deer and rabbits.’
‘Horses and bullock carts?’ I asked.
‘Yes, bullock carts, my red coral, and you can learn to drive them.’
‘Can I ride the horses?’
‘No, maidens don’t ride horses, but you can learn to drive horse carts.’
‘But why can I not ride horses?’
‘Chaste maidens don’t ride horses. Moreover, horse riding is dangerous and you have the more comfortable and safer horse carts.’
‘Why-why-why?’ In playful tantrum I hit my thighs.
‘I’ve just now told you, my yellow sapphire, and Chinnamma will answer all your questions and teach you many wonderful things.’
‘But you answer all my questions and already taught me everything there is to know. Is Chinnamma smarter than you?’
Father threw his head back and laughed. He said, ‘There are some things best left to Chinnamma.’
‘What things, Father?’
‘Things a young maiden, one such as yourself, might wish to know, ought to know.’
I was getting bored with talk regarding my forthcoming maidenhood. And I did not want to grow up and lose my teeth or turn bald. So, having finished the first mango, I went for my next favourite—the second mango.
‘You’ll also study the Vedas and Puranas, my platinum, and learn prayers expected of and befitting a future mistress of a household.’
‘But Mother is mistress of the household and quite enjoys haranguing the servants.’
Father laughed again, and I joined in his laughter. I loved him very much and gave him a great big hug. After finishing my second mango, I reached for my next favourite fruit—the third mango.
Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2019
Song of the Ankle Rings, an adaptation of Silappatikaram
Continued on Friday: Adult Conspiracy
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Yes that all important time when the girl child has to learn life will be more complicated from now on. Interesting plan to teach her though. 🙂
Hello again, Ian,
My, you are reading through all the posts and I thank you for it.
The original story does not have this Madurai trip. And there was no Uncle and Chinnamma. I wrote it in to better develop the plot – so that subsequent events (in the original story) would make sense. It was also to better develop Kannagi’s character.
In the original story all the characters were stereotypes. I don’t mean to knock the original author but he was a man of his times and the book adhered to the conventions then prevalent.
Cheers!
Eric
First mango. Second mango. Third mango. Smart girl 🙂
Hello Ankur,
Yes, Kannagi was a precocious and smart girl. 🙂
Have a great weekend,
Eric
Interesting dialogues between a father and daughter. He addresses her with a new adjective everytime. Wish all fathers are so loving.
Hello Indira,
Glad you like the father-daughter dialogue. Many parents give pet names to their loved ones. Most are special and unique.
In Song of the Ankle Rings, Kannagi’s father has a chest full (pun intended) of pet names for her.
Cheers!
Eric
🙂 cheers.
You are brave to take on this topic even within the fabric of a retelling of an ancient story. As always your dialogue hums.
Hello Jane,
Society’s morals and a woman’s chastity are important themes of this tale. In a powerful scene, Madhavi, a courtesan and Kovalan’s mistress, questions his morals. In Song of the Ankle, I adapted the story to include the hill tribes and their apparent “lack” of virtues. Should raise some interesting contrasts.
Thank you for your visit and encouragement,
Eric
Wonderful playfulness to the conversation between father and daughter, underscored by Father’s wise teachings.
Thank you, Ina,
For reading and commenting.
Glad the banter and the underlying lesson came through – the father’s hints to his daughter regarding her chastity, which is tied to family honour.
Trust the week is going well for you,
Eric
‘What’s the hurry, it’s not as if your precious duckling is starving.’
This really tickles me. Mother can be jealous of father’s indulgence of their daughter when I believe Mother herself will also fiercely protect her.
Hello Windy,
Yes, sometimes you see this subtle competition between parents with regards to winning their child’s affection.
Cheers!
Eric
It’s this a serial story? I kind of stumbled on it from the middle, it’s interesting!😀
Hello Seyi,
I’m serialising the first 3 chapters of my forthcoming novel > Song of the Ankle Rings.
It’s an adaptation of Silappatikaram, the tale of Kannagi, a virtuous Tamil maiden, her merchant husband Kovalan, and his courtesan mistress, Madhavi. Set in 3rd century B.C.E. to the 4th century C.E. the protagonist is Kannagi, arguably a female first in ancient Indian literature, and symbiotic of the esteem womanhood enjoyed in the ancient world.
If you’re interested in receiving a free ebook copy (as part of my book launch) let me know. Go to this page for details > https://wp.me/P1YE83-9Uj
Cheers!
Eric
I’m certainly interested in receiving an ebook copy. The story is intriguing and I would love to delve into it. Great job Eric!😀👌