Sanjay Prasad Paudel
A few years ago, I had a weird habit of walking at midnight while in deep asleep. I used to live near Guheshwari Temple of Kathmandu. Now I remembered that day I was too much tired after chasing away herds of monkeys all the day. After not getting the abundance of food from Pashupati Development Trust, apes broke into houses of people. They ran amok on the balcony, roofs or even into kitchen through the windows and doors in search of food. While grown-up monkeys stole food, fruits and spoilt milk and yoghurt, their babies left their poop all over the ground.
They struggled among themselves for a morsel of food. They made a big noise and bit each other. I used to teach anthropology subject in a college of capital. I sometime thought that having the same ancestors developed from the same gene, there is similarity between monkey and human. My background in anthropology further generated my curiosity to study and learn the behaviour of monkeys around Guheshwari Temple.
One day I came to know that I lost some important books, which I had used as teaching materials. I was very much worried how to teach students and give them notes next day. As I went to bed, I was preoccupied with the unruly behaviour of monkeys and stringent attitude of coordinator and chairman of college. The chairman refused to pay salary for months. He usually paid half of my salary. As a result, I was unable to pay the rent of room in time. My doctor advised, “Sanjay, don’t worry about unnecessary things. Otherwise you’ll not be able to lecture on anthropology in the classroom. You will teach the science of ape.” I knew what he meant to say.
I woke up at midnight, jumped over the javelin like iron bar and crossed the bridge of Guheshwari Temple. I climbed up the stairs and reached the forest near Biswarupa Temple out of breath. There was a full moon in the sky. I suddenly stopped on the way of Biswarupa and saw a cover of my book lying on the ground to my astonishment. There was an assembly of animals. It constituted deer from Mrigasthali, a few vagabond bulls from Pashupati Temple, orphaned calves which were kicked out after a few weeks of their birth, three black goats swinging bells down their necks, a few dogs and pigeons.
Moreover, there were monkeys, too. Their offspring were swinging the mothers’ breasts while sucking milk. I caught my breath to watch the unique animal world. The big and strong monkey with whom I encountered many times and once I threw away a heavy stick toward him appeared there and started his speech, “Listen my friends! Today we have arrived at a very critical moments of history.” He continued, “We have been struggling with our food for a long time. The Development Trust does not give us enough food. As a result, we have to wander here and there and jump over the walls and roofs of people in search of food.”
He said: “The chairman of Development Trust and the residents of Guheshwari have become our enemy. I alighted on a mysterious truth why we fought against human for our survival. I am not saying this without any proof. Look up at this book that I stole from human at Guheswari. It tells everything clearly.” When he finished his speech he showed my book that he had stolen from my room in my absence. He continued, “The book I am talking about is ‘On the Origin of Species’ written by Charles Darwin. In this book, we learn about our history that when and how the process of evolution drew a line of separation between humans and apes. Both had same ancestors. Our duty is to erase the division line between the two creatures. For this, we must follow the human behaviour and strategy that is conflict and fighting against the humans.”
For a few moments he stopped and looked around then went on, “And, there should be unity of all apes in the Kathmandu Valley.” He lifted the book up and showed them. “This book gives clues that we can change ourselves into human gradually. Remember that this is not only a book but also our manifesto of revolt against our enemy.” I was smitten with wonder and curiosity. In a corner of my heart grew a kind of entertainment mixed with fear. My heart beat fast than usual.
Then emerged a monkey to vent its ire. It said: “In next assembly we will have to arrive at a conclusion as to who is our class enemy – the Development Fund, the neighbouring monkeys and people of Guheshwari.”
“Look up at me! They throw me into the forest of Guheshwari after a few days of my birth and snatched my milk from my mother.” said a calf. “Many of my brothers died of starvation and lack of shed. I have been suffering from cold, heat and malnutrition. Do the humans know this fact?”
“I am not given enough food that I need to live by,” said a bull. “They steal our food,” vented one of the goats. It resented: “If they find us, they will chop our neck and relish our meat.”
“You are very true, my dear friend!”
Now, he showed another lost book ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’ by Yuval Noah Harari. When this book disappeared from my room, I was angry with my wife. There was a small argy-bargy between us. My wife argued that I was not in a good shape of my mind owing to the impact of medicine. I thought she might be true.
The spirited animal continued, “According to this book, one million years ago there were six kinds of human race but now only Homo sapiens exist and the rest are extinct. The sapiens will also vanish in near future.” After a few moments the other animals came. I didn’t saw them. But he continued, “Dear friends! I know our guests are coming. Let’ clap and welcome them.” He asked them, “Who are you?” “We are red seeds and devotees of Mother Guheshwari. No one can see us.” They said, “Only microbiologist can see us. We are very impressed by your speech. We will also join you to fight the sapiens by transforming ourselves into the pandemic in near future.”
After listening to the speech of the red seeds, I ran out of patience and was ready to move away. I was worried that the pandemic would turn the earth upside down in near future. No sooner had I left the site than a police came to the scene. “Why are you here?” he asked. “I came here for my morning walk.” Then, he retorted: “It is now 3 am. Do you want to be put behind bars?” I immediately showed my identity card of my college. After looking at my card, he said he was student of my college. He respected me and offered tea. We climbed down and headed towards destination of each.
I came back to my room with blurred flashback of the monkeys’ speech in my mind and revolt of animal against humans. I slept till late morning. My wife suddenly looked at my wound on the feet. She asked, “How did it happen? You slept in your room with no any wound yesterday.” “I fell down on the passage,” I replied.
I had an appointment in every first Sunday of the month. I explained about the dream that I had seen previous night. I explained him about Guheshwari Temple, the speech of monkey and the microbiological red seeds. I told him that in coming future the microbiological red seeds and monkeys will be fighting against human.
My doctor said, “Sanjay! You have not seen your dream. But you walked away in the midst of your dream again. I will add some medicine.” He added some tranquilizers. I recalled my memory as much as possible – when did I walk down the Guheshwari Temple?
