Week 7 Story: Fool No More

(There is a difference between an Asian and African elephant. Since this story is focused on an elephant, I thought a picture of a traditional Asian elephant might help the reader visualize better. Source can be linked here)

Bhima knew it would be hard to defeat Drona as long as he had a bond between his son. Drona's paternal instinct to protect was how he was able to fight so fiercely and for so long. Bhima set out to create a plan that would trick Drona into thinking Ashwatthaman was dead, so he would not have to take his son's life without reason. He decided that no one or thing would be killed, he would simply announce a death using Drona's son's name.

"Everyone! Our beloved Ashwatthaman has been shot with an arrow!" yelled Bhima. He continuously shouted this around the town square.

All the townspeople whispered and were shocked. Ashwatthaman would regularly come to the town and talk with everyone. Just a three days prior, he came in town purchasing supplies for a hunting trip. He was supposedly on this trip, and little did they know these interactions before would be the last.

Word finally reached Drona. Drona fell to his knees as his trusted advisees told him. He let his son go on this two-week hunting trip only for the fact Ashwatthaman was surrounded by the best protection available. He asked to be alone and wept for two days nonstop; he did not even sleep.  Finally he emerged from his room and demanded Ashwatthaman's bloody shirt be delivered. His advisors and wives advised against this, as they were already fearful of his erratic behavior. Seeing the shirt might be salt on the wound and worsen this behavior. Drona demanded that he not eat or talk to anyone until he sees the shirt.

When Bhima's people informed him of Drona's request, he first hesitated. He had not planned for this but knew Drona would not believe anything until evidence was provided. One of his advisers recommended using a dye on a common boys shirt. Drona agreed to this. A shirt bought at one of the local markets drenched in pig's blood was delivered to Drona.

Drona looked at the shirt and immediately began to cackle. This went on for at least 10 minutes. His wives and advisors thought he had truly lost his mind, yet feared to speak in case of retaliation. They had no idea what Drona was capable of in this state.

"I have been rich long enough to know a poor man's clothes. I would never send my son in any material as cheap or as scratchy as this, especially for hunting in the hot sun. Secondly, there seems to be no focal point of blood. If he was shot in the head, it would drip from the top and gradient into less. If he was shot anywhere on his torso or back, there would not be this spread of blood. Thirdly, if they obtained the shirt, they would have met the security I sent with him. These men I've known for years showing the upmost loyalty. Where are these men to tell me the death of my own son which they were tasked with? These are men of honor, they would never abandon him nor not tell me of his death."

Drona now realized the extent to which Bhima and his men would lie. Drona was even more furious. This time, he would spare no one.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I wrote this story about Bhima's plan to outsmart Drona. In the original version, Bhima conjures a plan to kill an elephant with Drona's son's name. He knew the bond Drona had with his son made him unable to be defeated, and Drona was their largest threat. He hoped by hearing of his son's death, Drona would become vulnerable and able to be killed. This plan works in the original because Drona  talks to Yudhishthira who is incapable of telling lies. He tells Drona that indeed 'Ashwatthaman' (son's name) has died, but really talking about the elephant.

I just thought it would be interesting to twist the fate of this story. I actually was watching an episode of Ugly Betty while trying to come up with the twist. On the show, one of the character fails at their plan to outsmart the other because they underestimate their experiences. I kind of used this concept for this story. I didn't want to harm any animals, even fictionally. I feel for someone accustomed to luxury, it is plausible for them to notice these fine details. I also wanted to highlight the distress Drona feels as a father, to try to create some sympathy from the reader. Whether you like Drona or not, the loss a father would feel in this situation is sad, and the fact Bhima would go to this extent is cruel.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Title: PDE Version of Mahabharata

Author: Sister Nivedita (1914)

Source Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/free-book-sister-nivedita-myths-of.html