Magic Ride To Kalkazar

In the cold Sunday morning I was riding my bicycle down the hills of Swayambhu. Suddenly a monkey appeared, in an attempt to save the monkey I lost my balance and fell down the slope unconscious. When I opened my eyes, I saw that everything was moving and no wait we are flying on a Magic carpet. I asked myself am I dead, is this how it feels like after death? Then a voice came from behind, you are neither dead nor dreaming. I looked back and saw a talking monkey with a black hat (like in alladins tale, only it could also speak). I was shocked so I could not utter any word. The monkey said I am Aang and you are in the ancient city of Kalkazar. Kalkazar once a peaceful happy place now look there is fighting everywhere, jealousy and greed has consumed every human so as our last hope we have brought you to create stability on our world. I was puzzled more than ever and asked how? Aang replied there is a cave called “Realms of Birth” there at the deepest point you will find a magic lamp. The way you decide to use the lamp is going to decide our future. We landed on a small island with a cave shaped like a skull. Aang gave me a sword and wished me good luck.

 There was a stone carving which said anyone who wishes to obtain the lamp must first complete the three puzzles. I walked in the cave; it was brightly lit with emeralds and rubies. I reached the first chamber, there the other side gate was closed and on a stone table laid a round rock in carved “Hurt Me”. I picked it up threw it on wall, on floor, stepped on it but there wasn’t even a small crack. Then in anger I shouted ‘stupid rock’ and then immediately there was small crack on the rock so I kept on bad mouthing it and within a minute the stone cracked into pieces and the second door opened. On the next door there was an old priest who said it has been 3000 years since anyone passed the first puzzle and 30,000 years since the great warrior Achilles  passed the third puzzle but even he was not able to complete the second puzzle. I asked what the second puzzle was. I was really surprised but kept walking through the third gate. There was rather a large chamber brightly lit and on very top where no one could climb laid the magic lamp. On the right I saw about seven human skeletons and on left I saw one strange giant skeleton. From the den a strange large creature appeared. It had an eagles head and wings, a lion’s body and claws and three scorpion’s tails, yes it was called Griffin. At that moment I felt chills running down through my spines. I attacked it blindly and for about an hour the fight continued hitting and hiding but no matter what I do, the Griffin was too strong. Then I remembered the priest’s word that even if Achilles completed the third puzzle but he could not complete the second puzzle. So,he could not achieve the Magic Lamp. I looked at the griffin’s skeleton and then the lamp and hence realized even if I kill the Griffin there is no way to get the Magic Lamp. So in my last act of desperation I pleaded and apologized to the mighty Griffin , ‘O the mighty Griffin I was a fool to attack you just by looking at your appearance, you must have always wanted to make friends in this lonely place but everyone would just blindly attack you’. The Griffin nodded and settled down. Please help me get to that lamp I will release you from this cave. Saying this I sat on the Griffins back and it flew me to the top and I grabbed the magic lamp. We settled on the ground and I rubbed the magic lamp. Poof! A Genie appeared wearing a lot of ornaments.

Genie: Tell me your wishes and I will make those come true. I asked the genie to take me and the Griffin out of this cave as my first wish. Poof!  We were out and the Griffin flew away happily. Then the genie asked me “What is your second wish Jewelries, Power, immortality?” I replied no. My second wish is bring unity among the people of Kalkazar and take away all people’s greed and jealousy. Again a poof and suddenly all the fighting stopped and people started to talk about unified rebuilding of the country. The genie then asked me “Do you wish to be the ruler of this land?” I said no.

Aang and the magic carpet appeared and thanked me. I said to Genie now my third wish is that take me to the place where I am most needed. The genie looked very surprised and said you are not like other men you put your personal interests behind for others I am very impressed. He took of one of his big ruby ring from his finger and told me to keep it as a souvenir. And then he opened a portal in the space. Aang thanked me again and the Magic carpet took me through the portal and then I blacked out. When my eyes opened next I was lying on a bed surrounded by my family and friends. They said that since the accident I had been on comma for 9 days. I realized that the story was all just a dream. Then my family left me on the room alone for me to take some rest. I was about to sleep when I felt something poking me on my pocket and when I looked in there laid the big red Ruby Ring…

-Summit Karmacharya