Cursed Blessings: Tales of Twisted Fates

Strange Medicine

Peanut woke up hearing the chirping sound of birds above his bed.

He went out to get fresh air and wash his face using the nearby tap while observing the snow-capped mountains around him.

Aunt Tsering came out with a few grains in a small vessel and spoke with an amused tone, "Why did you wake up late today? Usually, you were already up and ready by now to feed your birds. Since you did not feed those birds at your usual time today, instead they went to greet you in bed to wake you up."

"So, that's why they disturbed my sleep and I was even having a bizarre dream today.", Peanut commented.

Aunt Tsering inquired, "What kind of dream did you have?"

Peanut replied, "I was fighting a bunch of orangutans. I was more powerful than them but they always escaped and annoyed me. Somehow, I stole their star-colored fruit and bananas. After I ate those fruits, I became even stronger."

"Yes, if you eat a lot of fruits, you will definitely become stronger. I will ask your uncle to bring more fruits when he goes to the town market.", said Aunt Tsering.

"You should not worry about dreams and nightmares after you're awake because they are not real." Aunt Tsering said nonchalantly.

"Quickly finish feeding your birds and get ready for school. I don't want to hear complaints from your teachers about late attendance."

"Yes, Aunt Tsering."

He quickly finished his activities and went to school.

The school was just near this home within a ten-minute walking distance.

The school was maintained by the local community with governmental aid.

It was a simple two-story cemented house, the only one of its kind throughout the village.

There were about twenty rooms in the building which was not enough for the number of children in the village so some of the classes could be seen happening in the open areas beside the building around a few big trees with spread-out branches.

Peanut was in one of those classes. He was always bored with the classes as he could easily remember and understand the topics that he read once in his life. The reason he was not skipping class was because he did not want to hear an earful from his Aunt Tsering.

After the closing bell rang, he immediately packed his bag and ran home this time instead of going out to hang around and play with his friends which he usually did.

Stuffing a few cookies and a glass of milk from the Himalayan Yak that his Aunt Tsering prepared, he took his new smartphone and ran up the hill to check this 'internet' thing.

He started browsing and watching videos searching for various questions that he had that those academic books could not fulfill. He understood many interesting facts using this information but some of this knowledge further made him confused and increased the questions in his head.

He realized the battery of this smartphone was going down and the day was growing darker so he walked back to his home for dinner.

His aunt Tsering was preparing food in the kitchen, while his uncle Samuel was chopping some firewood for the fire.

He charged the phone and sat beside his uncle and aunt in the kitchen.

Suddenly, Peanut asked, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm very different from all other children. There must be a reason behind this, right?"

His uncle ignored him but his aunt spoke, "Of course you're different, Peanut. Well, that is because you are a gifted and unique child. See, some people in this world are born with several deformities like missing hands, or legs, and not being able to see or hear. Similarly, you are born with your unique gifts which enhance your abilities instead of limiting them."