Vellan and The Crows

The old heron Vellan spent most of his time fishing quietly by the pond. The pond was mostly dried up except for a few pockets of swamp between the thick grass that grew all around it. He would wait patiently for hours, sometimes the whole day, only to return home hungry. Catch or no catch he would thank his gods and leave for roosting.

One such day, as Vellan was by the pond, a crow flew down and perched on a nearby tree. She sat there observing him for a while; she then spread her wings and asked him, "How can I get to Kali Amma's temple?"

She expected Vellan to say something. He said nothing.

"Chetta, which way to Kali Amma's temple?" she asked him, loud and clear this time.

Vellan looked up. She was staring at him.

"Keep flying north... you will find the temple," replied Vellan in a feeble voice. He then returned to his fishing.

"Which way is north?" asked the crow. Vellan ignored her.

"Chetta, I am asking you..." the crow pressed. Stooping low, Vellan closed his eyes and did not respond.

The crow continued, "What kind of a place is this? I am on a pilgrimage and this grand seer of herons thinks it's below him to talk to me."

Hearing her complain, another crow dropped by.

She told the passerby crow how the heron was rude to a pilgrim like her.

"Chetta, what is all this?" asked the passerby.

"He had his eyes open till now," said the pilgrim.

Vellan stood still.

Soon another passing crow stopped by.

"He looks so innocent, but has no manners," he said, shaking his head.

"Chetta, Chetta," he called, trying to make Vellan open his eyes.

He then flew away, only to return with a few more of them. By the time he was back, many more crows had come to the pond. All of them were cawing together.

Hearing all the commotion, Vellan looked around. They cawed more feverishly when they noticed that he had opened his eyes. He was about to leap into flight.

"Chetta, where are you going? After all that you have done... You think you can just fly off?" said one of the crows. The others cawed in agreement.

Vellan paid no heed to the crows and took flight.

The crows started chasing Vellan. They attacked him, trying to knock him down.

He flew with all his strength, not knowing where he was going. The crows followed him, cawing.

After a while, Vellan realised that he was near Kali Amma's temple.

He flew into the temple courtyard as fast as he could. "Amma, Amma, please help me," he cried and lay exhausted in front of the temple.

As Vellan lay there, the crows surrounded him from all directions. A few overzealous ones among them jostled him. When he tried to escape, he realised he had been cornered. He closed his eyes and began mumbling some prayers.

"Stay away, stay away," said an elder crow. "He seems to be mumbling a curse. Let us wait for Kali Amma. She will do us justice."

It was already dusk, and there was no sign of Kali Amma. The crows started asking each other her whereabouts. No one knew where she was, so they waited.

At first, a few of them with nests and chicks excused themselves and left the temple. They were followed by elders who said they were too weak to wait this long.

Those who remained grew bored and ran out of patience. Slowly they moved away from Vellan.

"Don't think you are saved. We are all here only," one of them told Vellan while flying away.

Finally, only Vellan was left waiting in the temple courtyard. He got on his feet and stood there. He closed his eyes and prayed on.

It was pitch dark and close to midnight. The air around the temple grew warmer. The temple lights shone more brightly. The scent of sacred ash filled the air.

An owl hooted, after which a few bats flew out from the temple peepal tree. Vellan shuddered at these sounds. He was too scared now to open his eyes.

From afar, there was a faint sound of anklets approaching.

He gathered courage and slowly opened his eyes. At that very moment the temple doors sprang open and the most beautiful, terrifying darkness stood there. Kali Amma's bloodshot eyes sparkled. She looked towards him.

"Did they all go, Vella?" she asked.

"Amme, Amme..." Vellan called out.

He ran towards Kali Amma and prostrated himself at her feet.