Hunting in the shallows was time consuming; the real prey was out in the open sea. But they were forbidden from swimming in the open sea for the fear of sharks.
But today Phut had another agenda. Capture a prize catch and return back home as soon as possible. Maybe, his father would treat him with more respect. Could he slip out of the shallows? A few metres away from the shallows would hardly make a difference? This thought made him all the more determined.
Taking a long deep breath, he swiftly ducked under the water. Kicking his legs frog-like, he dived away from the shallows. It was not long before he had left his companions behind.
Out off the sanctuary of the shallows everything changed. The sea had lost its delicate aquamarine color, it grew less transparent. Diffused sunlight filtered through the water cutting down visibility. The sea bed had deepened and grown rocky. Everything looked alien to him.
Far in the distance, behind him, he could faintly discern the figures of his companions swimming about. It meant he was not too far from the shallows. Quickly he began searching the rocks for prey before he ran out of breath.
It was soon he sighted a rock crab, the size of a dinner plate. It would indeed be a prize catch. But Phut knew he would have to be careful of creature’s pincers. It could inflict a sharp wound or even break a bone. Slowly, he encircled it.
Unknown to him a far better hunter was scouring the rocky sea bed too. It was at least two feet longer and weighed several pounds more than Phut. It had zeroed down on a prey, the very same one that the little boy had sighted: the rock crab.
In a quick action Phut grabbed the rock crab. At the same instant the hunter shot out from its crevice. Propelling its body forward with a burst of speed.
He placed the prey in his rattan basket and swam towards the shallows. It was then he felt a sharp tug at the basket. He turned to see, sure that his basket had snagged some place. To his horror he saw a dark shadow descend upon him. It took him a moment to realize the shadow was an octopus. Two of its arms had grabbed his basket; the other six were reaching out for him.
Fear gripped him. He powered all his strength into his little muscles and swam. His only hope was to reach the shallows. But the powerful creature was in no mood to relent. It wrapped its arms around the basket even tighter and weighed down Phut.
The little boy struggled to get away. He began feeling the creature’s arms slowly wrap around him. One arm went across his face. Another went around his chest. He began to feel the suckers on the creature’s arm grip his naked skin, one by one. His lungs burnt for air and every muscle ached. He was tiring with every effort. But he kept swimming towards the shallows.
Phut’s companions hunted in the shallows but always had an eye on the open seas. The shark was a wily creature. They were busy hunting when one of them sighted an abnormal lump drifting towards the shallows. The young hunting party broke up in panic. All of them fleeing to the surface.
Some of them managed to discern the lump. A human trapped by an octopus.On the surface; they were out of the waters like penguins at the sight of a sea leopard. Once on the beach, the alarm was sounded.
Tiga was first to leap into the water, followed by other young men. When he reached the spot, he was aghast to see what looked like an octopus feeding off the poor victim’s back.
Though octopuses never feed on humans, they are not kind to them either. Without a thought he swam towards the two. Grabbing an arm of the creature, he tried to pry it from the victim. But it would not budge; instead another arm snaked around Tiga’s neck. He could feel the suckers trying to grip him. The creature was not going to get him so easily. Twisting quickly he yanked off the arm. Just then he felt another arm probing at him. But he was quick to avoid it.
Suddenly, the creature let go of him as well as the victim. A moment later it crawled away gripping a rock crab in an arm.
The victim lay on his face, motionless. It seemed like a young boy. About the age of his younger brother. A torn rattan basket rocked gently on his back. Tiga realized the octopus was really after the rock crab in his basket. He turned the body around and was shocked to see it was Phut! He was lying absolutely still. Grabbing him in his arms he quickly kicked to the surface.
Chapter 3: The Moken Prophecy
Phut stirred to the gentle murmur all around him. He was aware of his family, especially his mother, she was sobbing softly. Then there was the shaman, the elders, the young men…practically the entire colony had gathered!
Phut remembered his disobedience, he swore silently. He was sure he was in for a public hiding. Seeing him revive the colony began to disperse.
When he was alone, his father came and sat beside him. Running a gentle hand through his hair, he said, “Phut, promise me you will never do this again.”
The boy could not believe his ears. No scolding? No public hiding? He tried to sit up but felt his body ache. “Ah Father,” he said “Had Tiga not interfered I would have brought you fresh octopus meat!”
Outside on the beach Tiga sat with the old shaman. A gloom of silence prevailed between them. The old man had just revealed Phut’s dismal and terrifying prediction. The secret was supposed to be shared only among the elders. And he had not even attained manhood. By doing so the shaman had also initiated him into manhood. He would also be the youngest boy to do so. His heart was greatly troubled as he watched the sunset.
January 1995.
True to his word the old shaman found a marriageable girl for Tiga. He fixed a date for the two families to meet. The girl, Mipi and her family lived on an island, called Boru Island, an hour or two, ride from Tiga’s colony, Ahata Island. So on the appointed day, accompanied by the shaman, they went to see Mipi.
While the elders and Tiga met and spoke in one of the shelters, Phut roamed the island. It was no different from his Island, only bigger and greener. He sauntered along the beach till he came upon a group of girls playing under one of the shelters. They were about his age, enacting some sort of game.
Phut stopped and watched them. One of the girls took his fancy. Engrossed in their game, he barely realized when he settled on the sand. Their game continued for a while till his presence was discovered. The game instantly stopped and the girls stood and watch the newcomer. For a few moments they dumbly stared at him.
Embarrassed, he took a step forward. “Greetings, I am Phut of Ahata Island.” He addressed them the way he had seen his father and other elders do.
The islander girls still watched him, expressionlessly. He was wondering what would get them out of their stupor when the girl of his fancy stepped forward. “Welcome to our island of Boru…” she said demurely.
Phut felt his heart beat wildly. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had a chubby oval shaped face, with a mop of dark, short silken hair. Her eyes even though mere slits, were wide and innocent. Her skin was smooth and the color of dark honey. Dressed in a soiled, weather faded floral gown, she looked far better than a princess to Phut.
“Phut, have you come here to trade?” She asked after running an eye on his fine clothes.
“No…no” Phut stammered. “I am here to… see a girl…a wife…”
“Do all the boys of Ahata Island marry so young?” She began to giggle. And her friends joined her.
She looked truly cute when she giggled. “I am…sorry. I am here to see a girl…Mipi, a wife for… my elder brother…Tiga.” Now he was thoroughly shamed faced with his stammering.
“Ah! Caloe!”She turned to one of her friends. “This is one of the guests who were to see your sister, Mipi.”
The girl named Caloe slapped a hand on her forehead. “I had promised mother to help her before the guests arrived.” With that she began running towards the cluster of shelters.
“Wait we well help you!” The-girl-of-Phut’s-fancy said, as she followed Caloe.
Phut watched in bewilderment as the girls raced after Caloe. It pained him to see them go. He wished they had waited and spoken to him. E
specially, that beautiful girl in the floral gown. He had a lot to tell her. Hear her heady giggle. He desperately wished she had stayed back. He would love to know all about her.
He looked in despair at the girls running across the beach. Damn it! He did not know where she lived. He didn’t even know her name…”Wait!” He suddenly yelled, as he broke into a run after the girls. They had reached halfway to their shelters.
Only the girl in the floral gown turned. “What?” She asked, her bosom rising and falling with the effort of running.
For a few moments no words came to Phut’s aid. He simply watched her, enamored by her sight.
“What is it Phut? I don’t have all day.”
“At least tell me your name?” He literally begged.
Once again she threw her head back and giggled. “My name is Sithayu.” She turned and fled.
“Sithayu…” He muttered. “Sithayu…”
‘Sithayu’ sounded so much like Queen Sibian. For all he knew he had seen his Queen Sibian in flesh and blood.
April 1996.
The flotilla of kabangs was coming to dock for the monsoons. A mile before the island they were greeted by a couple of fast powered trawlers. The crafts seemed to be waiting for them. Raggedly dressed men of every origin from Burmese to Thai to Malay crowded the craft. All armed with rifles and country made pistols. Some even carried the broad Chinese fighting sword at their waist.
The Moken instantly recognized them. Pirates of the high seas! Unlike their predecessors they rarely robbed ships. Nowadays they were into gun-running, kidnapping, smuggling drugs, fuel oil, electronic goods, and antiques …anything for a profit.
The flotilla came and stopped beside the trawlers. A tallish man wearing a rattan hat, a worn out T-shirt and stained jeans emerged. At his waist was slung a pistol. His face was weathered and several weeks old beard grew on his cheeks. He was the chief of the pirates. Everyone called him Chief Po. He was also the lifeline of the Moken to civilization.
A smile broke on his face as he spoke, “Welcome my sea turtles! What treasures have you got for me?”
The Moken men instantly hurried to fetch their goods of trade. Shells of snails and turtles, coral and dried fish were brought out. Chief Po was particularly interested in oyster pearls, captured live octopus or exotic fish or antique-bits of ship wreckage. These last three items had a quick and open sale in the black market.
This time Chief Po was in luck. One of the Moken men had discovered a handful of coins and some trinkets in the ocean depths. Chief Po was more than delighted. He thanked him profusely.
Chief Po distributed candy among the children. He knew most of the kids by their names. When he came to Phut, he tousled his hair lovingly. “How are you my little, Octopus?” Phut’s encounter with the octopus was famous.
Soon the coral, fish, shells and antiques exchanged hands. In return the Moken were provided with rice, diesel, plastic and radio transistors. All the goods necessary for their means to survive. With the exchanged done the pirates were on their way. And the Moken satisfied, were back to preparing for the fierce months of monsoon.
October 1996.
When Phut woke up it was early, the sun had not yet risen. But the excitement in his heart prevented him from sleeping. It was a strange excitement, he had never felt before. Today Tiga was to marry Mipi on Buro Island. He was going to meet Sithayu, his Queen Sibian. He waited till dawn then quickly got ready for the trip. It seemed like hours before his family awoke. And some more before they were finally ready to leave. The old shaman’s late arrival irritated Phut.
x x x
An hour or two after Matu’s family departed the dreaded trawler docked on the shore. Ghost boat! Panic spread through the Moken settlement on Ahata Island.
The Headman instantly ordered. “Tell the young women not to come!”
Reluctantly, the inhabitants trooped on the beach to pay obedience, with their blood or flesh.
This time Captain Foki did not wait to put on his grand appearance. He was on the deck, parading around in impatience. He seemed livid, his eyes mere slits.
Without his characteristic laugh, he began screaming. “You Moken Dogs! Did I not tell you not to trade with the pirates? Are you stupid like the turtles you eat? Maybe you did not understand the lesson I had taught you the last time I was here!”
The Headman stepped forward. “Captain….Sir, I promise you we had no deal with pirates…!”
Before the Headman could complete his sentence, the captain was at his throat. A pistol jabbed against it. “Don’t lie to me you son of a sow! Just a pull of the trigger and I can end your filthy life!”
“I promise you Captain….Sir…You are mistaken! We haven’t seen any pirates!” begged the Headman, the whites of his eyes visible.
For a few moments the captain did not move. Very slowly he released the trembling man and laughed. “Good, I believe you… you son of a sow!”Lazily he turned to the gathering. For a moment he studied them. “Ah! No women today, eh Headman?”
Turning to his men he ordered. “Go into the houses find the women! Bring everyone out!”
“Please, Captain, please...” pleaded the Headman.
But the Captain was unrelenting. “Don’t leave anyone. Even the children and old women! I will teach you…you human filth how to deny me sweet, soft woman flesh!”
x x x
“Phut, behave yourself boy. No mischief today!” His father warned just as the kabang neared the beach. Yet, Phut was the first to jump out off the kabang, as it docked on the beach. If permitted he would have swam all the way the moment the coastline of Buro was sighted.
Mipi emerged out from her shelter to greet Tiga’s family. She looked beautiful in a long gown. Ornaments made from tiny beach-shells adorned her neck and wrists. Dainty pink and blue blossoms bedecked her hair.
But Phut eyes sought out for Sithayu. She was among the women folk, for a moment their eyes mest and she smiled shyly at him. It was enough to send his heart pumping, faster. It pained him to see her dressed poorly. She wore an old worn out dress. No ornaments of beach-shell adorned her neck or wrists. No blossoms bedecked her hair.
Why should only Mipi look beautiful? What was wrong with his Sithayu? He thought angrily. In a flash a thought occurred to him. If there was no one to care for his Sithayu, surely he was there! That meant getting into trouble. But where Sithayu was concerned nothing was trouble.
The visitors were being ushered in. Taking advantage of this diversion, he slipped away. Quickly, he headed for the forested cliff on the far side of the island. On his arrival he had seen pink and blue blossoms on the cliff. If he could get them, they would look pretty in his Sithayu’s hair. The thought spurred him. He raced towards the cliff.
High in the cliff several pairs of hungry eyes watched his arrival in silence.
Chapter 4: The Moken Prophecy
Captain Foki’s men emerged from the shelters, dragging several children and women, squirming…screaming. A few angry grunts resounded from the gathered men.
Instantly, the Headman raised an arm to calm his men. Then he was at the captain’s feet. “Please, Captain, please...,” he begged. “They are innocent.”
The captain jerked his leg from the Headman’s grip, walked to a boulder and seated himself on it.
The women and children were dragged and thrown before him. Just as a few tried to arise; the captain had his pistol out. He fired a few rounds, close to them, spraying dirt all over. The hapless ones immediately cowered under the gunfire.
Their discomfort brought instant laughter to him. Once again he fired a few more rounds, this time dangerously close to them. This evoked an even deeper raucous laughter from him. Moments later, still sitting on the boulder, he wiped the laughter tears on his sleeve and holstered his gun.
He looked at the scared whimpering humans sprawled before him, pleased. Just then something caught his eye. He arose and walked through the sprawling bodies. Stopping before one of the woman,
he grabbed her by her arm and sat her up. His sight glued on to the necklace she wore. He bent and tore it from her neck. Holding it up, he looked at the gathered crowd and laughed derisively.
He looked directly at the anguished crowd and nodded knowingly. “Ah, you Moken swines! Now we will know about the filthy pirates!” Fun time was to begin now!
x x x
Every move of Phut was being carefully watched. They would not attack till the victim was in striking range.
Phut was oblivious to the danger, although he had been constantly warned of them. Never to enter the forest alone! All the forested area of this stretch of archipelago bore the same danger. But now all his sense was up in smoke. All he knew was that he had to obtain the blossoms for his Sithayu.
A yard or two lay between him and the flowers, when he realized their presence. Eyes like shiny coals watching him. He looked around, realized they were at least six of them. He had seen how they could tear a man to pieces. But the temptation of taking the blossoms was too strong to ignore. Whether he took it or not they were going to attack him, he reasoned to himself.
Slowly he crept forward. They continued to watch him, their eyes not leaving him even for a moment. He plucked a few blossoms, turned and fled. Instantly, he heard a number of angry snarls. Saw their tawny and black fur. Wild dogs!
Phut ran as fast as he could. Dodging between the tree trunks of the slope. Had the cliff not been well forested, the wild dogs would have run him down.
Now he was aware of their yapping behind him. A few had separated and were flanking him on either side. Also, the bottom of the cliff was nearing. After that was the huge stretch of open beach. It would be impossible to out run them on the beach.
Even the cluster of shelters was too far to expect any help from them. Their yapping was getting closer… more excited.
Fear filled his insides, forcing him to take larger strides. The two wild dogs flanking him were beginning to converge. Gripping the blossoms tightly he desperately looked for an escape route.