There once was born a magician in the land of sheeps. A very famous magician he was. Not that he was the only magician ever seen by the herd of sheep but they all believed he could work wonders never seen. He conjured tricks unfathomable, created illusions the sheeps found unmatchable and led everybody to presume he was capable of dissolving every misery ever known. His fame travelled to lands far and near and stories of his charisma were spinned into bedtime tales.
The sheeps as they were, worshipped him and looked up to him. They liked to believe he was infallible. The magician was enjoying the glory and the exalted status. The roads he passed through had lines of sheeps on both sides waiting with bated breath to catch a glimpse of him. The magician magnified his own self as only second to god for their was some fear of the almighty hidden somewhere into the petty heart where desires loomed big. Amongst all these sheeps there was one who was not as much a sheep. One fine day when the magician was attending to his daily court this young sheep caught his eye. Not the one to leave a chance to cast an impression he roared, “ Young lad, what is it that you seek? Shall I export you to the land of fairies who will entertain you as your age commands or do you wish for yourself crop after crop of softest pashmeena which no living being ever saw. Tell me for you have eyes of angel and I wish to see them full of desires.”
The young sheep was filled with hope. Afraid of seeking an unworthy wish he bleated, “Sir, far up our land, there lives a village. It’s the most beautiful that any fairy tale ever narrated. An evil eye watches over it. The sheeps there live each day as their last. Young blood like me wastes their virile youth in servicing the evil. I want you to free the land and bring it to us for everyone to enjoy the heaven. Master, I know it is unworthy of your superior powers to grant me a wish as trivial but I beg of you.”
Suddenly the magician became silent, he retreated couple of steps back, faultered for a bit and looked the young sheep in the eye as if stuck by a thunderstorm. All eyes on him, it took a while for him to regain his composure. He closed his eyes, muttered something under his breath as if working a spell and announced, “ the village my friends is terribly cursed. It will be in the best interest of us all to leave it alone. If freed, the devil will have to look for another abode and he might take a shelter here.” Suddenly a wave of panic travelled in the crowd. Voices could be heard everywhere, jostling could be seen, all of them were searching for the young sheep who had brought this unrest. The magician featured them to be calm. He was there to protect them. Everyone hailed the magician. For he was the one who could work wonders. Ah!! The sheeps.
