A long time ago, there was a boy named Dhanush. He lived in grassland plains of ancient country of Lathimi. His village Sikharpur, was present at the far north region of the country. It was a beautiful village surrounded by the mountains and even snow fell on their village path during winters. It was a pastoral land with basic occupation of most villages as farmers or cow herders.
The east side of the village had a big river which was fed with water from the melting snow of the mountains that fall from the streams. The streams form glorious waterfalls on the rocky walls and happened to be a favorite family outing place for the villagers. Dhanush loved to trek those treacherous mountains with skidding path lined with moss because of the wetness of the trail from falling water. It was a daily routine in his quest to uncover the hidden treasures of the mountain or the daily necessities like food or consumables. He was accompanied by his friends named Sambhu, Lochan and Lata.
They had been warned of the dangers of the mountain hidden from the naked eyes. Those were Bears, Leopards, Snakes, poisonous insects or fruits. They had learned it from their parents, mother or father from when they were young and visited those places under their protection. The elderly shared their experiences, wisdom, giving warnings about the dangers lurking in those mountain but couldn't stop them from going, as it's a necessity.
Dhanush was a strong lad, with well developed muscles, long arms and legs, and an active body which he used like a spring while climbing the trees or jumping off a hurdle. He had large black eyes just like mother, with long and wavy black hair contrary to his friends who have dry, unruly and unkempt hairs. His mother made it sure that he took proper bath and attend his daily chores with discipline, a habit being instilled in her from her life from living in her hometown. His father was a tall muscular man, with large mustache, for which he took a great pride. His primary profession being a farmer, is to attend the fields but he was also the sought after person to take the farm yield to sell outside village or to the town.
So, Dhanush along with his friends Sambhu, Lochan, and Lata proceeded for their routine adventure. They had taken flaked rice, pickles and some fruits with them for snacks while planning to have some lunch from their collections in the forest.
Sambhu, a short and plump boy of his age, was very energetic and always on front. Lochan, a thin guy wearing dirty shirt and dhoti with tired look, followed Sambhu. Lata, a cute girl with long silky hair, always smiling while showing absence of one of her tooth, accompanied Dhanush as they follow others.
Dhanush was most experienced, and always remain behind looking around for any sound or feel of danger. He would warn the rest and everyone would climb to the tree. They would then survey the surrounding and make sure that no dangerous wild animal is at the vicinity. It was in their instincts as the ones who have lived their whole life there and they know everything about it. They had an encounter with bear, but it was a momentary chance meeting lasting for minutes. Even though it didn't count as an adventure, they still proudly proclaimed to have fought off the mighty Bear.
It was one such expedition, where they went to the forest near the mountains. The goal was to collect the seasonal herbs, ground potatoes, berries and fruits, and fish if possible. They went along the muddy trail since it rained a day before. With high on spirit they walked towards the dense forest.
The trees were silent with lack of rustling, which unnerved Dhanush.The tracks were straight, with an feeling of discomfort. It could have been because of humid surrounding, but something made Dhanush to be on guard as they climbed the mountain, far from their village.
---- What happened next?------
