Master Storyteller Poem by Bishnupada Sethi

Lying side by side
Nudging each other inadvertently
On a bed, not so expansive:
The little child insists on
Telling stories;
While the father would unfold every night
A new story or continue
From the previously stopped point
At times, being reminded of a repetition.
He would remain thoughtful
Throughout the day
Lest the child should go sleepless
On a protest that promises were not kept.

The child would hardly know-
What the father has undergone during the daytime
Whether he is in a right frame of mind
To keep awake and speak,
To attend to several queries!

The stories would begin thus-
'Once upon a time'
'It was some years ago'
'In a hamlet there lived'
With different characters
The descriptions about the people and places
Though looking familiar would change often
Taking his soft mind from the known reality
Midway to an imaginary world
Of kings, queen, magicians and fairies.
The themes would touch upon the lives
Of common people
Their beliefs, morals, values and living
Across the scenarios.
At times the good man suffers
At the hands of cruel men
And the single man rises against a system,
His epic struggle, miraculous survival
With the support of unseen powers
Clinches victory at the end.

The father would know-
How long to prolong the stories?
When to stop?
He remembers to continue
From where he left last night
Depending on how soon
The child was falling asleep.
With no visible display of an irritation
No sign of anger
Though at times, it could be too taxing to speak
After a daylong hard work without respite
As the child kept awoke
He would continue.

Running his loving fingers
Upon the forehead
Caressing hairs on the head of the child
Giving a blissful sense of comfort and relief
The storyteller would end in a tapering manner
With the turn of events to feel good about-
'The demon died'
'The poor man had his victory'
'The king granted the boon'
'God listened to the prayers'
Something the child felt good about
While passing into the land of sleep and wonder.