Odia Flash Fiction
Originally written in Odia by Kailash Pattanaik ( part of his 2004 flash fiction collection – Sata Eka Sata.)
Translated by Dr. Khusi Pattanayak
** Reviewed for Parcham by Supriya Prasanta
- The Night Walk ( Originally Andharibije in Odia)
While on his night walk, the king saw a cobra guarding a beggar with his hood fanned out.
Stunned, the ruler said: King Cobra, I have heard whoever receives your favour acquires lands and riches.
In an affirmative gesture the king cobra moved his hood.
Surprised, the king asked: So is this beggar going to wear the crown someday?
Indicating acknowledgement, the king cobra moved his hood.
The jealous king requested: Instead of this beggar, if you bless me, I can be crowned as the monarch.
The king cobra said: Only those who are highly confident and industrious can receive my favour.
The restless king protested: I am highly confident. I’ve occupied the throne through that confidence and dexterity.
The king cobra replied: The beggar is sure that even after taking over the throne, if some misfortune strikes or if it is expected of him to renounce the throne, he will not hesitate to do so and return to his profession of begging. If you have that confidence, then without a doubt you can become the monarch.
Stung by disappointment, the king ordered the guards to kill the snake and arrest the beggar.
2. Magic (Originally Kuhuka in Odia)
One day, god told man, look at that fruit. You are forbidden to consume it. Man nodded his head in acceptance.
A few days later, god found the fruit still intact. Surprised, god asked you have not consumed the fruit? In an assured voice the man replied, long ago you had shown a forbidden fruit like this. My forefathers had consumed it and to-date you’re acting as our master. Gone are those days. If I consume this, once again my successors will be enslaved by you!
3. The Ascent (Originally Arohana in Odia)
The teacher turned emotional while explaining the mathematical problem to the student: Will that monkey ever reach the pinnacle of the oil-smeared pillar? No, never. Our desires are oil-smeared pillars. Can anyone ever bring an end to desires? Is there an end to desire?
The startled kid once again read out the question to the teacher.
It was as if the teacher had not heard anything. He continued: Kid, just like that monkey, our whole life is invested in an effort to climb that oiled pillar. Have we ever reached the top, or we ever going to? Foolish men never stop aspiring to get their desires fulfilled. They try climbing the pillar and get disappointed after falling down; yet they vow to climb again the next time…and in this effort to climb, an entire life comes to an end.
Dr. Khusi Pattanayak, PhD in English literature, has 13+ years of professional experience in academia and industry. A Potter-scholar & cinephile, she is published author and corporate communication specialist. She translates regularly from Odia, Hindi, English & Bengali. She is charter member- editor for The Pine Cone Review.
Kailash Pattanaik, retired Professor of Odia Language & Literature, leads a quiet life at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan (India). He has authored / edited 25+ books & loves engaging in social commentary through his writings.
** Supriya Prasanta is a writer and translator from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She has rendered the Odia Mahabharata written by Sarala Das in 15th century into modern prose narratives in Odia as well as English.
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