Once upon a time, nestled within the confines of a remote village known as Langsodin in the ancient land of Limbuwan, there resided a humble couple – Khesewa, the husband and Mendangna, the wife. Their abode was a simple cave, enveloped by the whispers of the forest, and their days were spent in harmony foraging for the bounties of nature, collecting fruits and nuts that sustained them in their secluded haven. And thus, the fabric of their existence was woven with the threads of contentment and simplicity.
The serenity of their lives blossomed further as time waltzed by gently, unveiling a new chapter with the arrival of a precious gift – their son, Sellok. With his mirthful presence, the couple’s cave echoed with the laughter of innocence, and their hearts swelled with parental love as they watched him grow from a tender babe to a curious crawler.
However, the exigencies of survival beckoned them into the lush embrace of the forest, occasionally compelling them to leave young Sellok cradled by the comforting walls of their cave. On one fateful day, as the sun painted the sky with its golden hues, the couple embarked on their quest for sustenance, unknowingly leaving behind their cherished offspring. It was a day shrouded in misfortune, for when Sellok roused from his slumber, he found himself enveloped by solitude, his tiny frame succumbing to the cruel sting of nettles that adorned the threshold of their dwelling.
The heart-rending cries resonated through the forest, heralding the return of the grieving parents, who, upon witnessing the plight of their son, acted swiftly, soothing his pain with herbal remedies and tender caresses. Their respite was short-lived, as destiny unfurled another twist of fate. In a cruel twist of events, a venomous serpent infiltrated the sanctity of their haven, leaving Sellok at the mercy of its lethal bite, rendering him limp and lifeless.
Desperation mingled with determination as Mendangna and Khesewa engaged in a battle against time, concocting potent elixirs to counteract the venom’s insidious effects. Sellok was saved, but the shadows of illness clung to him like a malevolent spirit, transforming him into a semblance of the very creature that had inflicted his suffering. They watched helplessly as their beloved son’s essence intertwined with that of the snake, as he slithered and wandered through the rugged terrain, a living embodiment of their unrelenting agony.
Despite their tireless efforts and unwavering love, Sellok’s essence eluded them one final time, leaving the couple bereft and shattered. Their anguished cries reverberated through the valleys and mountains, as they traversed the land in search of their lost son, their voices carrying the weight of a parent’s boundless grief. The forest bore witness to their unwavering resolve, as days melted into nights, and seasons whispered tales of longing and desolation.
Legend whispers that their spirits ascended to the skies, finding solace in the form of the Great Barbet birds, Neuli, forever intertwined in their eternal quest for reunion with their precious Sellok. Their haunting cries echo through the trees to this day, a poignant reminder of a love that transcends the bounds of mortal existence, as Mendangna and Khesewa soar through the heavens, eternally calling out for their lost son, “Sellok, Sellok…”
