would change the people’s lives forever.
“How dare you? You insolent children! How dare you insult my godsend talent?” she screeched
in pain. “Don’t think I will let this pass. NO! I curse You! I curse everything you Love! I curse this
whole Region! Within five days, every thing that breathes will die! Crumble to dust! Every plant,
animal and human will be gone. This is my word!”
She turned on her heel and stalked out of the square. Her words echoed in everyone’s mind,
replaying over and over again. I expected shouts and cries of dismays. Instead, a deafening
silence ran through the square, her words resonating with each and every villager. The crowd
began to slowly decrease, bleeding out of the square. Soon, I was the only person left in the
village-center, still in shock. Still taking in the curse, I shuffled home, giving up on work. We
would all die anyway.
I went home to find Ababu. I smiled.
“Where are the fruits Ababu?” I questioned. His cheeky face immediately dropped.
“Did you find any fruits in the forest, Ababu?” I repeated, becoming worried. Ababu
ran towards the forest. I followed him. Ababu came to a stop in front of me. I looked up and
immediately gasped covering my mouth, dropping to my knees. There, in the forest, there were no
more trees. In their place were long, withering tree trunk stumps. All the leaves shriveled up, were
reduced to sand. It was happening. Odval was not fake but spoke the truth, and her curse could
kill us all. We were done for. I looked at Ababu. Unless…I could find her in time.
The rain beat down hard in the dying forest, as I pulled my hood further over my head. I
carried a limp Ababu in my arms. He was starting to weaken, his face turning a pale green.
Ababu could not die. I wouldn’t allow it. We took shelter behind a boulder and together lay down
only to be enveloped by sleep.
The next few days were hard going. I climbed up the pile of rocks, towards the mountain,
towering high above my head. I reached the top, gasping for breath, hands bleeding raw.
Trembling with exhaustion, I scanned my surroundings, searching for any sign of life. I
discovered a small cave sitting in the only patch of vibrant green grass. I stumbled there. A
crystal ball sat on a tree stump. And there, in the center of the cave was Odval. Anxious, I stood
there gaping. Even that slight movement made her piercing blue eyes flit over to me. Swallowing, I
began to speak.
“You just cursed our region. Take it back. The trees are dying, Ababu is sick. There are so
many other innocent people.” I stuttered. Wow, great start.
“Not our region, girl, your region. The people have insulted me; I do not value them. Now
shoo. Go away. Enjoy the last few days of your miserable life.” She croaked, turning her back to
me. I refused to leave, sitting stubbornly on the ground.
“Please take back the curse, they were just silly school children! They make fun of me
everyday too. Please.” I pleaded.
She turned around, impatiently.
“No, as I said. Shoo now.” She ventured deep into the cave, obviously a sign for me to leave.
“No! Wait! I will do anything! Please take back the curse!” I ran after her. She suddenly
stopped, turned around, and looked into my eyes.
“As it is evident that you will not be leaving anytime soon, I have a proposition for you.” She
said slyly, wringing her hands together.
“I will take back the curse, but there is one condition. One human life will have to be
