Week 5 Story: Ramo's Pond

In a jungle far far away, there is a dolphin named Ramo, who was king of the pond that he lived in. One day a year, many animals came from all over the jungle to bathe in King Ramo's pond.

Ramo's pond in the jungle;

Source: Pxhere

On that day, a lion named Royal showed up to bathe in the pond. While he was there, a beautiful cheetah showed up to bathe as well. She was beautiful and lit up as bright as the moon. She stole the lion's heart and was left breathless. Not knowing what to do, Royal asked the dolphin, "what do you know about that stunning cheetah and where did she come from?"

Ramo replied, "Her name is Diamond and she lives with her father very deep in the jungle."

When Royal went back home, he did not eat, he was lovesick. His parents asked him what was wrong and he just sat there. Eventually, he told them that he had seen a beautiful cheetah named Diamond that stole his heart while he was bathing in King Ramo's pond. His dad's face lit up and he said, "I know her father, I can ask her father to let you have her hand in marriage." After hearing this news, He eagerly ate his dinner and the next day they set off to find them in the jungle.

They traveled a far distance until alas they came across the area of the jungle where Diamond and her dad Larry live. Royal's dad explained how his son had seen her at Ramo's pond and it was love at first sight. He asked Larry if Royal could have Diamond's hand in marriage and he agreed.

A few months later, Larry officially handed over his daughter and she married Royal. Happily married, he took his wife and they went to live together at his parent's area of the jungle.

One day, Diamond's brother came to visit and was welcomed with open arms by his sister. He informed them that Larry had sent him to invite them to a festival that was taking part where his parents lived.

The next morning, they set off to travel across the jungle to where Diamond's family lived and on the way, they stopped at Ramo's pond. Royal went to speak to the King and as he was worshipping him he had an idea. He thought to himself, what better way to worship him than to sacrifice my own life. So he found a very sharp boulder, took it to his neck and sliced his head off.

His brother-in-law went looking for him because he was worried about what was taking him so long. When he saw what Royal had done, he was mad, upset and in grief so he did the same exact thing and sliced his head off.

Diamond walked in and instantly fell to the floor crying when she saw what had happened. She started to scream and yell while pounding the ground and crying. She yelled to Ramo, "Why should I even live, what is my life good for now?" She was about to kill herself and started praying to the King.

The king answered her prayers and said, "My dear Diamond, do not do something that you will later regret. If you put their heads back on them then they shall come back to life." So Diamond listened to the King and did as she was told, but made a mistake. She put her brother's head on Royal's body and Royal's head on her brother's body.

They both awoke and were happy listening to each other's adventures. They worshipped the King one more time and went on their way. Diamond was troubled and had no idea what to do.

The Girl, Her Husband and Her Brother translated by Arthur W. Ryder

Author's note: In the original story, White, who was a laundryman, came to bathe at a lake called Bath of Gauri. While he was there he met a beautiful woman named Lovely. White's dad asked Lovely's dad if his son could have her hand in marriage and Lovely's dad agreed. They got married, and when her brother came to visit them and invite them to a festival back at Lovely's parent's house they set off on a journey. They stopped at the temple of Gauri to worship the Goddess and both While and his brother-in-law beheaded themselves with a sword to show some sacrifice. Lovely was distraught and the Goddess told her that if she put their heads back on they would come back to life. However, Lovely accidentally switched their heads and was confused about what to do. I put a twist on it and used animals instead of people.