Harry and Halwai's Day in the Woods
Writing a story with elements of a religion that is not my own is intimidating to say the least. However, I find Hinduism to be so rich and beautiful that I am not surprised I had a dream about it! I just had to write the dream down. I named my characters Harry (as in the devotional chant "Hare Krishna") and Halwai (as in the common man caste). Harry is meant to represent Krishna, who is so loving and compassionate a God, he reminds me of Jesus. He is sometimes portrayed as a child, usually blue-the color of Heaven, and has multiple arms. I love to think of Jesus as my most faithful childhood friend.
The best childhoods are made up of sunny afternoons of earned playtime. Harry and Halvay met on one such afternoon. Halvay had spent the morning completing the arduous task of sitting still to read and learn against his will. Then he had to help his mama with so many chores, he was sure he would collapse of sheer exhaustion. Halwai was thinking he and his overworked little arms and legs could not possibly go on washing clothes one moment longer. Then suddenly in miraculous answer to silent prayer his mother began to say "Thank you Halwai that is good, if you want to-" Halwai dashed off to play before his mama could say another word. It was as if Halwai was racing time itself to the best part of the woods to play. "Stay in the safest part!" she cried after him, and laughed to see just how fast his little legs could go. When he arrived panting and grinning at his sanctioned escape he met a strange and adorable little blue boy.
"Hi! My name is Harry!" he said joyfully waving one of his four arms at Halwai. In one arm Harry held a fish, and in another arm he held a book. The third arm was wrapped in a blanket, and with the fourth arm Harry waved so ecstatically, Halwai was sure he was about to drop everything.
"Oh hi!" said Halwai "have you come to play in this safe place too?"
"Yes!" Harry grinned "I am really good at playing! What would you like to play first?"
"Well it looks like you know how to catch fish," Halwai nodded "let's play that first!"
They hurried to the little creek that ran through the woods, and began their important task. Harry caught a great multitude of fish with his arm, and taught Halwai how to do it as well. They splashed and whipped the water with their hands laughing in triumph as their fishy cache grew larger and larger. Halwai contemplated the growing pile and mused "wow, with this new skill I could become a rich fisherman when I grow up and never want for food!"
When they grew tired of collecting the silvery creatures, Harry read wonderful stories to Halwai out of the book in his other arm. They were absolutely amazing. Some made Halwai cry, some made him laugh, and they all brought him joy. They acted out the silliest parts and laughed until their sides hurt. Then they acted out the daring parts until they had conquered every foe with a level of vigor and glory only little boys are capable of. Halwai was so enthralled with the tales he thought "if I could remember these stories and tell them even half as well as Harry, I could become famous when I grow up! I would be so beloved and I would never feel alone!"
Now feeling truly tired Halwai began to miss his mama and his bed. Harry noticing Halwai's weariness said "Dear friend you look so sleepy! Here use my special and precious blanket, rest your head in my lap and take a nap. While you are covered in my blanket absolutely nothing can harm you!" Halwai gratefully did so. Harry sang Halwai a sweet and familiar song. Halwai realized his mother had always sung it to him when he was afraid, but Harry made it sound more complete and beautiful somehow. It was as if the wood and then the world itself sang along, and before Halwai could thank Harry, he had relaxed into a peaceful sleep.
When he woke up he was worried that Harry might have left, but as he opened his eyes Halwai saw his friend's kind smile and comforting blanket were still there. "If I had that blanket" Halvay thought to himself "I don't think I could ever be too scared or tired ever again. I could wrap myself in it and go to war and there would be nothing in the world I could not conquer. As the greatest king in all the land, I would never want for power!"
Halwai had played so long in the forest his childhood was over, and his mother called him for dinner. Harry sweetly and tearfully said "Go Halwai, but take one of these gifts with you for I love you so! I would give you anything-even my life!"
Halwai looked at the fish first, then considered the book and finally he looked at the blanket and said with determination, "Very well then!" He grabbed his friend's empty hand and ran so hard, Harry dropped his gifts all along the way. Halwai ran on, the gifts were left behind to be enjoyed by others in the world. The friends laughed and cried as they ran and from then onto forever, Harry and Halwai always had each other.
JST Luke 9:25 "For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and yet he receive him not whom God hath ordained, and he lose his own soul, and he himself be a castaway?"
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