“To get rid of it and all the evil that goes with it?”

“Yes.”

“Did the deity command you? In trance?”

“Yes, in trance.”

“Was there a festival?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Last month.”

“It was Sangili, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“What did the deity say?”

“That I had to cut the tree down.”

“The command was only for you, no one else?”

“No. Kattai Subbaiya too.”

“The same command?”

“Yes.”

“How come he is not here?”

“He is scared.”

“He is scared!”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He is scared.”

“Koplan!”

“Asan!”

“You are not an ordinary fellow. I was wrong in my judgment of you. It is clear that the deity makes itself known to you.”

“That’s what they say in the village,” Koplan said, proud.

“So you have a good reputation.”

“Initially only people in the nearby villages knew. But now it’s spread even farther.”

“You are Kaadukotthan Pichuva’s grandson after all! You were born to do great things for your family! You have made a name for yourself. I am really happy for you. Pichuva and I were close, did you know that?”

“I have heard.”

“You are in his thoughts. That’s what has brought me here at this hour, mind you. I am here because he called out to me and said—My grandson is in some serious trouble, go save him.”

“Why do you say that, Asan?”

“Koplan!”

“Asan!”

“Koplan, I feel bad looking at your face. You are just a child. Pure as milk fresh from the cow. The deity commanded you, and you proceeded right away with an axe to fulfill it. You thought you could cut the tree down and swim back ashore, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Of course that’s what you’d think. That’s what they’d want you to think. Don’t be scared. I will tell you. After all, that’s why I have been brought here at this hour. Koplan, if you had cut the tree down, you would have thrown up blood and died right here on the spot.”

“Asan! What are you saying?”

“Koplan, look, this tamarind tree? It is evil for sure. There is no doubt about that. Evil spirits wander here. They strike the goats that graze here. They kill the cows. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have wrestled with these spirits.”

“Can that be true? Is there any spirit that you cannot control?”

“There is one fiery spirit living in this tree. Let me tell you how he operates. He does good to good people and harm to the bad. If you act insolent around him, he will rip you to shreds. You see, this evil tree was going to cause some serious harm to the whole of Keezhacheri. This fiery spirit was able to put that off by offering Chellathayi as sacrifice. Anger is a sign of virtue. It was about to tear you to pieces. But you got out alive.”