Thus, it was that Nala became the first Valka to enter the doors of Meru. The Arch-Acharya of Meru had planned to use the inspiring tale of how Nala had persevered through racism and bullying, to attract more students from other fringe tribes. So, it was rather disappointing to him when Nala got along so well with his classmates. What he didn’t know was that Nala had been a big embarrassment to his family, to his mother and five brothers, for he had about the same talent for tree-swinging and boar-hunting that you would find in a dead iguana. For this short, black-haired Valka with a face criss-crossed by marks of vitiligo, had a mind that wanted to think. And he had the sort of body that was only marginally under Nala’s control; a fatal handicap in the dangerous world of forests. His being selected by Meru, therefore, was the answer to his mother’s fervent prayers to save him from certain death. Luckily for Nala, his friends in Meru did not know this. To them, he might as well be the Chieftain of the Nora.

‘Found it!’ Upavi plucked the fire-berry twig and flourished it like a sword, creating a large halo of orange over his head. ‘Now, let’s go back!’

‘What?’ Nala was shocked. For cityfolk, his friends could be really naïve. ‘Why go back? We’ll find a meadow to lounge in, and go back when it is time for dinner. That way we won’t get any more assignments, and the Acharya will think we really worked hard. Effectiveness reaps only more work in real life, Upavi.’

They all murmured agreement. They loved the way Nala thought, and Nala loved his friends. Their motley group shared tales, giddy with freedom, of this and that. They spoke without a care in the world. Nala did not have to fear any longer that he spoke too much, or worry that he was too slow or too slender. Varcin taught them how to spin stones on the lake, and Nala taught them how to carve wood. Upavi plucked fruits from the tallest branches, while Akopa chanted the proper prayers before they were allowed to eat.

It was the best of times.

As for the task at hand, they did not find a meadow but stumbled upon a hot spring. The water was warm and soothing. Most of the boys stripped down to their loincloths and leaped into the pool. Nala sat grumpily under a tree, looking wistfully at his friends. He would have loved to join them.

‘Nala, jump in!’ Varcin called to him. ‘The water is so soothing!’

‘It may be soothing now but it won’t so when you step out and the water in your hair turns to icicles.’

‘Coward!’ Varcin shouted, and they all laughed.

‘What if he thinks we are dumb to take so much time?’ Akopa suddenly asked, resurfacing from the water.