Akhu Kekey & the Tale of the Bumpa
Adventures of Attu & Rattu
Continued from the earlier episode of The Path to Shaal Gaon: Tales and Trails
The sun blazed at its peak, and the jungle buzzed with life, a symphony of chirps, rustles, and distant calls filling the air. Attu and Rattu could hardly contain their excitement as they polished off the last bites of the treats Ama-la had packed with so much love.
With his mouth still half-full, Attu mumbled, “Akhu Kekey, we’re ready to listen to your story—why not start already?” Rattu nodded eagerly, his tail wagging in rhythm as he savoured his favourite snack.
“Alright, alright… I can see you’re keen,” said Akhu Kekey, raising his eyebrows. “But first, finish your meals properly!”
“We’re done! See—our mouths are clean and clear,” the duo chimed, leaning forward to show their crumb-free faces.
“Hmm, I suppose you’re ready then,” Akhu Kekey replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Right, let’s gather round and tidy up—put the pouches and sticks neatly to the side.”
“What did I say about Guru Rinpoche earlier?” Akhu Kekey asked, settling himself cross-legged on the grass.
“Oh, I know!” Attu burst out. “The most handsome god with his majestic looks and moustache!”
And his traditional shoes, too! Rattu added with a wag and a gleam in his eyes.
“That’s right,” Akhu Kekey said, nodding. “But remember, Guru Rinpoche was also a great teacher and scholar who helped the people of Tibet in countless ways.”
“But Akhu Kekey, you also said he was a great magician!” Attu interjected, his curiosity bubbling over.
“Indeed, Attu,” Akhu Kekey replied with a twinkle in his eye. “And the story I’m about to share is tied to just that.”
“MAGIC! That’s amazing! We LOVE magic!” Attu exclaimed, practically bouncing where he sat. Rattu expressed his agreement by spinning in a quick, delighted swirl.
“You see, when Guru Rinpoche journeyed all the way from India to Tibet, he helped everyone he met along the way,” Akhu Kekey began, his voice calm and steady.
“Ohhhhhh! Do you think he might have taken the same path through Shaal Gaon and crossed this very mountain to Tibet?” Attu asked eagerly.
I wonder which route Yak might have taken to Tibet? thought Rattu, his ears twitching in curiosity.
“Good question, both of you! I think you’re clever enough to investigate and figure that out when you explore further,” Akhu Kekey said with an encouraging smile.
“So, as Guru Rinpoche crossed these mountains, he helped transform the local spirits into guardians of their lands. That way, they could benefit from the protection of those spirits, and in return, people would learn not to disturb or harm them,” Akhu Kekey explained.
“How can we avoid disturbing or harming the local spirits, Akhu Kekey?” Attu asked, his brow furrowed in thought.
Rattu, equally curious, thought to himself, I should make sure not to anger the spirit of the place I’m sitting in.
“A very good question, Attu and Rattu! The answer is simple: by respecting nature. Don’t pollute rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes. Don’t destroy the hills, mountains, or trees. Always keep the surroundings clean and avoid throwing rubbish around,” Akhu Kekey advised, his tone firm yet warm.
“That makes sense,” Attu nodded, then tilted his head quizzically. “But how is this connected to the story you’re going to tell us, Akhu-la?”
“Oh yes, the story!” Akhu Kekey said, tapping his forehead as if reminding himself. “Listen carefully now. This is where it truly begins...”
“So, the story takes place in a remote nomadic region of Tibet. A family lived there, consisting of grandparents, parents, and four children—three girls and a boy. They resided in a large tent made of yak hair. The valley they called home was surrounded by towering mountains, lush green pastures, and groves of trees. Every day, their yaks, sheep, goats, and dzo would graze in the vast pastures and return to the camp by evening,” Akhu Kekey began dramatically, his voice rising and falling with appropriate modulation to capture the atmosphere.
“Oh! Akhu Kekey, I think the yak that went from India to Tibet must have been with this family, then. By the way, who is Dzo?” Attu’s curiosity was now at its peak.
“A dzo…….. is a female yak that gives milk, and we can make all sorts of things from that milk,” explained Akhu Kekey with a knowing smile.
“Ohhhhhh! So dzo are like the cows we have here in Manali. Which means… yaks are like oxen!” Attu exclaimed, his face lighting up with the discovery.
That means not only the yak but also the dzo might have accompanied him! We should ask Ama Ñamo about this, Rattu thought, his mind suddenly bursting with ideas.
“Well done, Attu and Rattu! You two think like detectives,” said Akhu Kekey, nodding in approval. “Now, let me get back to the story before I forget where I was...”
And with that, Akhu Kekey continued.
“So, one morning,” Akhu Kekey began, his voice dropping to a deep, suspenseful tone, “the young boy went up the hill with a large herd of yaks, sheep, dzos, and goats. This time, he chose a different path—a path his father had specifically warned him not to take. But curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to follow it anyway. As he walked along the beaten trail, he suddenly stumbled upon something!” Akhu Kekey exclaimed dramatically.
Attu and Rattu jolted, scooting closer to each other, their anticipation growing with every word.
“What was it, Akhu la? Was it one of the guardians?” Attu asked, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of fear.
“Not exactly,” Akhu Kekey replied with a mischievous glint in his eye. “It was a huge bumpa!” He stretched his arms wide, gesturing to indicate its enormous size. “The boy was startled, afraid, and curious all at the same time. But his curiosity only grew stronger when he heard strange noises coming from inside the bumpa. He couldn’t resist and decided to take a peek.”
“What did he see, Akhu Kekey? Was it a scary local spirit?” Attu asked anxiously. Rattu, equally tense, clung tightly to Attu, his wide eyes reflecting his unease.
Akhu Kekey leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “When he peeked inside, he saw... another world entirely! And in the middle of it all was a ladder that led down into the bumpa. The boy climbed down and found himself on a path that wound through a dense forest. At the end of the path was a grand palace, glimmering in the sunlight. As he approached, the queen of the spirit realm, who happened to be strolling through her garden, caught sight of him. Overjoyed, she called out to her guards to bring the boy to her.”
“Was he captured by the royal guards? Did they make him a prisoner?” Attu interjected; his concern etched across his face.
I knew it—he shouldn’t have ignored his father’s advice. This is what happens when you disobey your parents! Rattu thought, his heart sinking as he started to miss Ama la back home.
“Not exactly,” Akhu Kekey reassured them. “You see, the king and queen had been longing for children for a very long time. When they saw the boy, they were overjoyed and begged him to stay with them forever.”
“Oh! But didn’t he miss his parents, his grandparents, and his sisters? And of course, all the yaks, dzos, goats, and sheep waiting for him outside the bumpa?” Attu asked, his voice full of concern. Rattu sat quietly beside him, his face reflecting a deep sadness.
“Not at first,” Akhu Kekey continued. “The boy was completely enchanted by his new life. He didn’t have to work at all. Servants attended to his every need, providing him with everything he could want. And there was no need to take the animals up to the hills for grazing anymore.”
Attu and Rattu exchanged looks, their faces lighting up with mischievous grins. “Sounds like he was pretty lucky, don’t you think?” they thought, their minds briefly drifting to a daydream of such a carefree life.
“He spent his days playing, swimming, and feasting on the most delicious foods,” Akhu Kekey went on, “completely unaware that three whole years had passed since he entered the spirit world inside the bumpa. But slowly, he began to feel a deep longing for his parents and loved ones.”
Attu and Rattu looked at each other and said in unison, “Thank Guru Rinpoche! Finally, he’s coming to his senses.”
“But Akhu Kekey!” exclaimed Attu, “Does the spirit world look similar to ours? And what do the spirit people look like?”
“Oh, that’s an interesting question,” Akhu Kekey said, his tone growing more animated. “Their world is like ours, but far more beautiful, extravagant, and grand. And as for them—they look just like us, but they can transform into whatever shapes, sizes, and colours they desire.”
“Ahhh, that explains it!” said Attu with a mix of wonder and relief. “I was wondering how an entire world with trees and rivers could fit into a tiny bumpa. Hmmmm!”
Rattu, lying beside him, was lost in thought. So, these local guardians must be magicians, just like Guru Rinpoche, he mused.
“Then one day,” Akhu Kekey continued, “the boy could no longer hold back his longing. He asked the queen to send him back to his real parents, saying they must be terribly worried about him. The queen, deeply moved by his plight, asked the king to grant the boy’s wish. The king, though reluctant, agreed. He ordered a grand procession, and the entire spirit world gathered to bid farewell to the boy.
“They led him to the edge of their world, where the golden ladder stood tall in the distance. As the king and queen kissed his forehead, they handed him a small pouch.”
“A pouch?!” Attu exclaimed; his curiosity piqued. “Hmmmm, it’s going to be a long journey back then!”
Rattu, smiling and nodding, instinctively sniffed the small pouch kept at the side, remembering their Ama la.
“Don’t jump to conclusions just yet, you two!” Akhu Kekey teased. “There’s a twist in this tale.”
The two lively spirits leaned forward, their eyes wide with anticipation.
“As soon as the boy began climbing the golden ladder and popped out of the bumpa’s lid, he tumbled to the ground. When he woke up, the bumpa was gone, and it felt like he had only been asleep for a few hours.”
“But you said he was in the bumpa for at least three years!” Attu blurted out, his voice filled with surprise.
Rattu’s face mirrored Attu’s confusion. Exactly! How is that possible?
“Well, that’s the strange part,” Akhu Kekey said with a grin. “When the boy woke up, he thought it was all just a dream. But then, he found the pouch in his hand. That’s when he knew something extraordinary had happened.”
Attu and Rattu were now on the edge of their seats, utterly baffled.
“So, was it real, or was it just a dream?” Attu shouted, unable to contain himself.
“Well, that’s for you to think about when you go back home,” said Akhu Kekey with a knowing smile. “But when the boy finally returned to his parents, he shared the entire story with them and showed them the mysterious pouch. His mother opened it carefully, and do you know what they found inside?”
“What? What was it, Akhu Kekey?” Attu asked, his voice bursting with excitement. Rattu was now on all fours, his face eager and eyes shining with anticipation.
“To their utmost surprise,” Akhu Kekey continued, “they found a precious stone inside the pouch. The boy’s grandfather, who was a tantric magician, immediately bowed and gave thanks to Guru Rinpoche. He explained to the family that the spirits the boy encountered were kind and protective, transformed by Guru Rinpoche’s blessings to guard nature and its balance.”
“Oh! So, it was Guru Rinpoche who helped the boy return safely,” thought Attu and Rattu, their faces reflecting deep contemplation.
“The boy’s father took the precious stone and placed it at the feet of the Guru Rinpoche statue on their family altar. The entire family knelt in gratitude, offering thanks for the boy’s safe return.”
Akhu Kekey leaned back with a dramatic flourish. “And that, my boys, is how the story ends!”
Attu and Rattu let out a collective sigh, their faces a mix of relief and wonder.
“Now, it’s time for us to head home too,” Akhu Kekey declared. “If we don’t, everyone will start worrying about us!”
They all began their walk down the hill, tracing their steps back towards Gompa Road, making their way to the grand staircase of Shaal Gaon. The evening air was cool, and the light was fading, but there was an unspoken warmth in their steps as they relived the story.
When they reached home, Ama la was waiting on the doorstep, a serene smile on her face as she looked up from her knitting. Attu and Rattu rushed to her, their arms wrapped around her in a tight hug.
“Well, well, seems like you both missed me very much today!” Ama la said with a gentle laugh. “Is it because of the story? I’m sure Akhu Kekey must have shared quite an interesting tale!”
“Ama la, we heard the most incredible story today!” Attu exclaimed, still breathless with excitement. “It was about a Spirit Kingdom inside a Bumpa, and a boy from Tibet who got lost in this world for three years!”
Ama la listened intently, her soft gaze reflecting the magic of the story, as though she, too, could feel the spirit of the tale wrapping around them.
“But Ama la, do you know the boy wasn’t gone for three years? He was just asleep in the pasture on the hill for three hours. And the craziest part is, it wasn’t just a dream! He was holding onto a pouch that the Queen of the Spirit Kingdom gave him!” Attu’s voice was a mix of confusion and excitement. Rattu, equally intrigued, nodded in agreement.
As the night deepened, they settled into bed, the soft flickering of the hearth fire casting gentle shadows on the walls. Attu and Rattu’s eyes grew heavy, and soon, their minds drifted into a dream world of their own, filled with new adventures and mysteries.
With a quiet sigh, they peacefully fell asleep, knowing that the magic of the world around them would always be waiting, ready to guide them on the next day’s journey.
Glossary:
- Bumpa (བུམ་པ།): Vase
- Akhu (ཨ་ཁུ་): Paternal uncle; also used to address someone with respect
- Guru Rinpoche (གུ་རུ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ།): is another name for Guru Padmasambhava, one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered the "Second Buddha" in the Himalayan regions and played a crucial role in establishing Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century CE
- Gompa (དགོན་པ་): A Buddhist monastery or learning centre
- Ama Ñamo (ཨ་མ་ན་མོ།): Translates to "a young mother", likely in the Kham dialect in TibetTo read the intent behind this post, click here.