Head : Makok
Fungawari Singbul by B. Jayantakumar Sharma

Translation by Nganthoi Lourembam *

An illustration of Folk tale 'Makok' by Nganthoi Lourembam

Many years ago there lived a widowed woman and her only son. But her son was physically challenged. He got limbs but they are very tiny so was his body. His body growth was not matching with his age. But his head grows larger according to his age and for this reason people of the village called him Makok(head). Makok and his mother were very poor and hence they survived with the help from her brothers who do Hidinga(boat business).

Once Makok thought, "My mother is very worried because of me. But I am disabled and can't help her. I am just lying at home doing nothing. This isn't good; I must contribute some help to her. I'll also join the business of Hidinga along with my uncles."

Makok said to his mother, "Mother, I'll join my uncles and earn money." She replied, "My dear son, Hidinga business is a very tiring job; you won't be able to manage." And refused him to go but Makok requested again and again and hence she decided to let him go. She came to her brothers' place and requested them to take her son along with them. At first her brothers didn't agree but later they agreed, "We'll take him this time, let him experience."

After boating for four to five days on the river they reached to an isolated jungle. Inside the boat there was lot of stuff; edibles, clothes and other materials to be sold. When the boat crossed the middle of the jungle a gang of thugs followed them in a different boat. When it was late at night, Makok and the boaters were tired and decided to take a nap. They tied the boat at the bank of the river and slept inside the boat. When everyone was snoring Makok remained hidden with the pumpkins.

Makok heard a boat coming and without making noise he remained quite in the boat. The thugs slowly took out all the valuable stuffs from Makok's boat and quickly left the place. When the thugs were stealing stuffs from Makok's boat one of the thug leader's magical ring fell inside Makok's boat. Makok took the ring when they fled.

When the sun rose Makok woke up all his uncles and said, "Wake up everyone. The thieves stole all of our stuffs." When everyone heard him they got up immediately. All of the valuable business materials got stolen. His big uncle said, "It's such a disaster. While we were sleeping everything got stolen. We have no other ways to do but to go back home hence let's row our boat towards our home." Everyone agreed and thought this happened because they were sleeping. They accepted it was their fault.

When they arrived home Makok's big uncle said to Makok's mother, "It was such a bad experience for Makok; on our way a gang looted our business materials. On our next journey I'll surely provide a big sum for Makok. And the uncles left after handing over Makok to his mother.

Makok didn't share the story of the magical ring to anybody. He kept it safe and secured. He thought to use it someday when needed. One day when there was no one at home he wanted to test the magical power of the ring. At a corner of the house he kept the ring on top of a banana leaf and prayed, "The most powerful and magical ring, in order to cure poverty of my mother and me, please give a golden ball," and closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes after praying, a golden ball was found just next to the ring on top of the banana leaf. And Makok was overwhelmed with joy. "Yes it does appear. It's not an ordinary ring. God himself has given me the ring to eradicate our eradicate our poverty. We don't have to worry about anything. And now, for people to respect us I'll have to get married to a girl. I cannot marry just an ordinary girl; the only daughter of our King is perfect for me. And people will respect me as the King's son in law."

Makok asked his mother to go to the king's place and ask for his daughter's hand. His mother said, "My son, it will be like aiming for the moon." But Makok forced his mother to go and came to the palace. When the King heard the proposal he felt offended.

The King's servant dragged her out of the palace. She went to the palace for third consecutive times and the King ordered her to do a task wherein no one can perform. But using the magical ring Makok performed all tasks the King had asked for. Makok and his mom did everything and to mark his word he gave his daughter's hand to Makok and they got married. Thus Makok and his mother became King's relatives and lived their lives with pride and happiness.

If there is power people respect. A physically challenged Makok after finding a magical ring became the King's son in law and people showed him respect.


** From Manipur folk tale Book called "Fungawari Singbul" by B. Jayantakumar Sharma