A Yeti Heart

This is a collaboration between
@cecicastor and @tatswaru

Chapter 7 continued...

I sat trembling with relief looking towards the underbrush where the big cat had disappeared. Usually in the wild Bengal Tigers are pure carnivores and hunt medium-sized animals, such as rabbits, badgers, water buffaloes, deer, wild boars, goats and sometimes even cattle. A Bengal Tiger will drag their kill to a safe place to eat.

They are able to eat up to 40 pounds at a time and then go without eating for days. Some Tigers become man-eaters, but obviously, this happens very rarely. I am grateful that this kitty prefers chicken to me!

It was now late afternoon, and after the encounter with the tiger, I thought it would be best to find shelter for the night. I struggled into my backpack and started off at a slower pace, frequently looking back over my shoulder for chicken sandwich stealing tigers!

I came upon a small cluster of daub huts scattered through the trees just as the sun had begun to set behind the mountains. I was greeted like an old friend. I was invited to eat and spend the night with Thomed and his family. Thomed’s home is a daub hut made from the surrounding materials and is painted inside with cow dung and different colours of clay which brings the colours of the forest inside. His house has a Buddha shrine on which a coconut oil lamp is lit nightly. Local deities or gods, when worshipped and respected, grant the villagers’ wishes.

In times of illness, western medicine is sometimes sought out, but more often than not a kapu or spirit dancer is called in to remove physical and mental disorders. The kapus' rituals range from simple mantras to all night dancing to provoke, appease and remove unwanted spirits.

Table manners in Nepal are quite different from those at home. In typical and traditional Nepali houses, plates, knives, forks and spoons may be absent from the dinner table. While eating, Nepalese people use their right hand. I am considered an important guest, so western eating utensils appear as if by magic for me to use. I am very honoured.

Any food or utensils touched by used knives, spoons, fingers, lips or into which any spittle may have fallen is considered 'Jutho', which means "contaminated". It would humiliate a person if such food were offered to him. The dish containing such food be would not used again without being properly washed.

Soon, streams of visitors came to the hut bearing small gifts and words of welcome. They wanted to know all about me, my family and friends, and what life was like in my country. The children wanted to touch my white skin and curly blonde hair. They couldn’t disguise their delight when I reach back, calling them “little brother” or “little sister”.

The night brought neighbouring men folk bearing torches and singing. They danced and beat out a rhythm on pots and even the door, and anything else that could be used as an instrument. These people are farmers, growing tea as a cash crop which provides for their clothing needs, the children’s school requirements, oils for light and adds variety to their diet, but the jungle is still their principal supermarket and hardware store. Thomed’s 12-year-old daughter, Kanti already knows most of the plants and trees and whether they are good for food, medicine or have flowers suitable to offer to the local deities. Their day typically starts before dawn and ends well after the sun has set.

I was warned about leeches that come out with the rain. I was told that when walking in the forest it is wise to carry a pouch containing a raw tobacco leaf, lime and salt tied on the end of a stick. Just touch the leeches with this to knock them off. They take only a little blood and are easily removed. They do not spread nasty diseases. Good to know.

Natural dangers in the forest include a poisonous spider which leaves its victims paralyzed and a small florescent green snake which aims venom at the eyes, blinding its victims. Wow. I hope I don’t meet up either of these!

The full moon illuminated the rain forest like a black and white photograph. With fireflies and moon shadows, it was alive and magical. Sitting outside on a rock under the moonlight, I was spellbound.

All images in this story are courtesy of pixabay

The saga continues...