Hidimba-The forest maiden

20

I was sitting on a portico of my small wooden hut when he came. The man whom people said God. Whom my husband was devoted to. He came towards me. With a little smile that I thought always played on his lips. Like the tune of his flute

He came towards me. the man who was one of the men I saw at my birthing chambers. The man whom people called Krishna

'Good morning Hidimba'

'What do you want here'

'I know you expected Bheema to come it has been eighteen years since he left you'

'Yes, and he got a handsome son. The son who needed his father '

'He had got you'

'He needed his father'

'No dear, a child only needs his mother. She is everything more than a mother more than a father, she is a goddess'

'What you want Krishna?'

'Your son. The great war has started. We need your son's power. Bheema needs his son'

'Bheema should have come here. I would not send my son to die'

He laughed a little at this 'Bheema knew you would say that '

I felt my checks blushing at the mention of Bheema knowing me too well.

'He said to give you this'

He gave me a small red pouch. In it contained a dried moss. Will you let me gather moss will you let our son gather moss.

Tears flowed from my eyes and I agreed to Krishna's demand.