CHAPTER 2: The Panchayat Meeting

The girl, Aditi, gave a nod in reply.

“What’s your name?” was his next question.

“A..Aditi!” she murmured.

“You should be proud of your name, Aditi, for it indicates that you are the mother of all gods!” He informed her.

Aditi’s face lit up as she heard this. She indeed began to feel proud of her name! “What is your name?” she asked her savior.

“I consider everyone as my friends! Thus my name is Aryaman!” He disclosed. “Will you become my friend, Aditi?” He extended his hand to her. Aditi smiled and shook her hands with him.

“Would it upset you if I asked what exactly happened which led to your fall inside that well?”

Aditi narrated to him the sequence of events.

“Hmmm! I must say that you got a little carried away!” Aryaman snubbed her mildly. “Is there no elder in your house?”

“I have my parents!” Aditi replied.

“It would be better if they come here to fetch water from that well. Today’s incident shows that it is too dangerous for you!”

Aditi nodded.

“How do you fly like that?” She asked him eagerly.

“By the grace of God! Aditi, nothing more matters than the fact that you are safe!” he maintained and then got up. “Actually I was going to some other place when I witnessed your fall. I have to leave!”

“Okay! Thank you, sire, for saving my life!” So saying the little girl hugged him.

Aryaman smiled and took her in his arms. “I only did what I could! By the way, remember that I am your friend! You can call me by my name!”

Aditi thanked Aryaman, who was a very tall and sturdy figure. He had dark ruffled hairs, well-arched eyebrows, expressive eyes, thin lips and a deep chin. His broad chest was protected by a steel armor that glinted in the radiant rays of the sun.   The armor even covered his hands. He wore a silken white dhoti and even had a dark blue cape that hung over his shoulders.

The child watched yet again in amazement as Aryaman raised his hands in the air and zoomed past the sky with the speed of wind! The chubby little girl who had flowing hairs, large eyes and cute little lips hurried home to tell her parents about her dream adventure!

Aryaman continued to fly in great speed through the sky with his hands outstretched and fist clenched. The blowing wind and his speed flapped his cape vigorously.

He could see from afar that some people had assembled in a place. In yet another act of disbelief, he transformed himself into a crow and landed on a branch of a huge peepal tree. From there he got a good view of the proceedings that was unfolding a few meters away.

People were sitting on the ground and facing them were five elderly people seated on wooden planks. A youngster stood beside facing the Panchayat.  

“Let the proceedings begin!” one of the elderly men declared.

“Shailendra! You have been found guilty on two counts. First, as per the custom it is incumbent upon low caste people to beat drums while walking on the streets. This is with the intention to alert people from the upper class that you may come in their way which may prompt them to change direction of their travel to avoid you. You violated this custom by not beating the drum.

Second, when you were confronted by a higher-class member regarding the violation you crassly replied that you do not believe in this practice!   When he slapped you for your impudence, you displayed the audacity of slapping him back!

Do you admit your guilt?”

“No!” replied Shailendra sedately