"The Moon Shines On Death..."

Offerings

The god of death slowly made his way through the dirt roads.

He passed by unsuspecting people.

Several farm animals, rice patties, fishing communities, and huts of families revealed to him what life was like below his high vantage point at mount Madjaas.

Limping slightly to convincingly portray an old beggar woman, Sidapa stopped under the shade of a mango tree and leaned momentarily on it.

"Excuse me, auntie. Are you tired?" A small slave boy inquired the startled Sidapa.

"Come, sit with me under the shade. I have a few rice cakes, we can share them! I also have a small jug of rice wine. I was not able to sell all of it, but I made a good amount today. My father will be pleased. Come, sit." The small boy crouched on the dirt to shift his small basket with a few rice cakes and a jug of wine, and gingerly handed Sidapa a piece of cake covered in banana leaves.

Sidapa suspiciously looked the boy over as he reluctantly sat down on the roots of the mango tree. He reached for the rice cake that was being offered to him. Thanking the boy, he started to strike a conversation.

"Child, why are you selling cakes? Where are your parents?" Sidapa asked as he peeled the covering of the rice cake. Its slightly sweet aroma sent an immediate reaction to his tummy, making it growl.

"My father is a fisherman. He stayed home three nights now. There was a storm, and he could not go out to catch some fish. Also, my father and I are still in mourning. He does not want to leave me alone for now." The boy looked sadly at his hands holding a half eaten cake.

"I am sorry to hear that." Sidapa felt his throat constrict, making it difficult to swallow his cake.

"That's alright auntie. I'm sure the mighty and benevolent god Sidapa will take care of my mother and sister." The boy chewed his cake, and poured Sidapa a cup of rice wine.

"Mother? Sister?" Sidapa asked, confused.

"My mother died of childbirth. My younger sister was stillborn. Our neighbor, auntie Bulakna, could not brave the storm to help my mother during her labor. My father did not know what to do.

"We prayed to Sidapa to help us, but the wise god probably felt that it was my mother's time to rest. I have nine older brothers. Life has been tiring for my mother, trying to keep up with all our needs. This is the reason perhaps why Sidapa took her from us... to offer her rest.

"My sister will grow up in Sidapa's care now, I'm sure the god will take good care of her." A single tear threatened to fall from the boy's left eye, but he wiped it away even before it could do so.

"I am sure Sidapa will do everything he can to make sure your mother and sister are happy in the afterlife. You can count on it." Sidapa tried to smile, but somehow his heart felt heavy.

"I trust in Sidapa. He is a good and generous god. He has my gratitude." The boy replied.

Sidapa nodded, then continued to say: "I must be going. I have chores I need to finish. Thank you for the cake, and the drink. You are much too kind, my child." Sidapa patted the boy's head, while magically placing ten bullion of gold in the boy's coin pouch.

"Oh, please take these. Consider them as gifts. Sidapa has been keeping an eye on me today, I believe that's the reason why I was able to sell so many cakes. I wish to share the god's blessing with you." And the boy gave Sidapa seven cakes to take home, before he stood up, smiled, and bowed to take his leave.

Sidapa looked at the cakes, all tied in a bundle, their fragrant scent lingering in the air. He pursed his lips, still tasting the wine, and vowed to bring the boy's mom and sister to paradise.

He slowly stood up, and made his way back to mount Madjaas, still thinking of the little boy's story as he climbed his steep enchanted mountain.

Upon reaching the black tree, he placed his hand on it, and he immediately reverted back to the ten horned figure of death. He sat down at the foot of the tree, opening another cake, as his attention got stolen by seven dazzling figures in the sky.

The seven moons have appeared, and they have succeeded to lift his melancholic spirit.

His gaze traveled from one moon to the next, but it kept coming back to the brightest, the one that seemed to call out to him.

He sighed, staring at the moon. He promised himself that from this day forth he would be kinder.

He has learned that life is not contained in just one individual. There is a ripple effect. Life, like death, affects an entire family, a group of loved ones. He must be careful in his decisions from now on.

The slave boy proved to him that there are still people out there who believed in him. Trusted him. Placed their lives in his care. He will not be so whimsical to snuff out their lives now.

He wasn't just the god who brought death... he was also the god who prolonged life, and blessed it.

He smiled for the first time today as he chewed on the sweet rice cake. He gazed lovingly at the brightest moon... feeling that it was smiling back at him somehow.