Tradition Bearers - Dastangos
Translation - Stuti
Long ago in the city of Mecca, there lived three childhood friends. None of these three, was an ordinary mortal. Amir Hamza was a great warrior and champion of mankind whose birth had fulfilled the prophecy of a dream which the King of Persia dreamt. Mukbil Vafadar, one of Amir’s closest friends was an expert archer. The remaining of the trio was a master trickster and perpetrator of terror through his vile cunningness Amar Ayyar. However both Amar and Mukbil were devoted to Amir and his noble cause and nobody dared lay a finger on him while they were around.
While under the patronage of the court of Persia and having conquered many lands, Amir Hamza decided to embark upon a voyage to India. It seemed for once the friends would be separated- Amar Ayyar told Amir that he was extremely scared of three things – Genies, Water and Magic so there was absolutely no way in which he could embark on this difficult, long journey over the sea, he would prefer to return to Mecca and pray for Amir’s successful voyage.
Amir understood Amar’s sentiments. He knew his friend was prone to throwing tantrums and doing what he pleased. He told him to wait while he wrote a letter to his father which Amar could deliver to him. Amar agreed to wait while on the ship. Amir handed over the letter and hugged his friend close and said – “O brother come lets meet, only God knows when we will meet next” Amar’s eyes filled with tears and he immediately started to shed tears. Amir took him aside and continued- “You have been our companion in many journeys, and have never left our side so my heart is very heavy at the thought of the separation” And he quoted the following lines –
“Jo Kucch Likha Lilar Main, Hona Wahi Zaroor
Ab To Naav Chala Di, Ishwar Kare Bharpoor”
Whatever is written in destiny, that will happen for sure
We have started on our ships, May God keep us good
At the same time he gave the signal for the boats to leave the shore, and so the fleet set off. When the ships were at a distance from the shore Amar realized what had happened. Immediately he started wailing throwing his arms and legs about him and cursing Amir saying – “I met this Arab out of love and affection but he is actually an enemy of my life”. In a short time in the sea there was a 3000 feet island visible in the sea, Amar thought to himself maybe if I jump over to it, I have some chance of returning back home. But alas for Amar the island he had decided to jump on was actually a fish who had come up to the surface, as soon as Amar landed on her with a bump she dived right back into the ocean, and Amar started sinking in. Amir immediately instructed the oarsman and helmsman to retrieve him saying there was a large reward for the person who did it before Amar actually touched the water’s surface. Amar was fished out of the water and presented before Amir, the little episode was enough for him to come to terms with his situation, he sat like a wet cat in the corner of the ship.
This was a long voyage, one in which they encountered several adventures like when the crew happened to stop at the island of the ‘Grand Old Men of the Sea’; the entire crew was in the clutches of old men who they were tricked into carrying on their backs, and couldn't get them off. It was thanks to Amar who escaped himself, rescued his comrades, and got rid of all the old men,all except one as there was one who lay asleep. The one who lay asleep was the one Sindbad would meet in his fifth voyage.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Sea)
An abridged version of the Amar Aiyyaar tales of mischief and revelry. Good for an amusement perspective
