Hoja, a tribal boy, had lived in the forest all his life. One day, some people had come to the forest in an open vehicle to look at the elephants and other animals. Hoja and his friend Golam watched them from the shadows.
“One fellow seems to be holding his ear. I wonder why,” said Golam.
“Must be having acute pain in his ear or a bad tooth,” replied Hoja.
When the people left, Hoja and Golam came out and looked after the vehicle driving away.
Suddenly, they jumped as a shrill sound broke the silence. It seemed to be some kind of music. They looked around and then Golam pointed to the ground.
On the path lay a small box. It seemed to have light and music coming out of it. The two boys looked at each other. Then cautiously, they went closer to that piece. The light and music stopped. Then it started again.
“It is some kind of a music box, I think,” said Hoja, “Shall I pick it up? Do you think it will bite or sting?”
“I don’t know. Let’s try,” said Golam.
So, Hoja picked the box up. They both looked at it carefully and excitingly.
“Let’s take it to Megah. He’ll know what to do with it!” suggested Hoja.
Megah was the Chief of the tribe. He heard the boys’ story and took the box. “It might be something with a spirit in it. We must do some rituals to remove the spirit!” said Megah.
So, the Medicine Man and the Priest were called. Suddenly, the box lit up and the music began again! Megah was so startled that he pressed something on the box. A voice came out of it, “Hullo! Hullo! Can anyone hear me, please?”
Everyone clustered around the box.
“It speaks,” said Megah, awed by the voice.
“Say something, O Chief. Perhaps it’ll hear too,” suggested someone.
“I am Megah. Who are you?”
“Oh, thank God; I’ve found it! Mr Megah, will you please tell me where you are? Then I’ll come and collect the phone,” said the voice.
So, Megah went with Hoja and Golam, the whole tribe following. Hoja and Golam pointed to the vehicle as it came. A man came out and Megah gave him the box.
“Thank you,” said the man, shaking hands with Megah. “This is a phone,” he explained and taking another one from his friend he showed Megah how it worked. There was great excitement.
Hoja whispered to Golam, “It was a phone he was holding, not a toothache or earache!”
Moral: Things are not always what they seem.
