Week 9 Story: Thumbless
The most current version of this story can be read here.
I look down, my hand is red and sticky all over. I can see my thumb is gone, but I can't feel it. In fact, I can't feel anything. My whole body is just, numb. A bloody piece of my own flesh is nestled in my other hand. My god, what have I done.
I look up.
"Well, I admire your dedication to me, I really do, but as you see, my talents lie best in the hands of the Kshatriyas. Sorry if that was too soon." Drona snickers before giving me a side wink.
"No, no, I understand dear sir. My talent would be nonexistent with you.." I try to respond. I feel a thick lump in my throat and I'm holding back tears. Before I can finish my sentence, I'm interjected with:
"You fool! You think I, me, THE Guru Dronacharya, would ever teach, let alone associate myself with an ordinary dimwit as you! I only work for the divine or elite! I am designated for greatness! My entire adolescence was spent learning the military arts and to think I would ever waste a second of my time on a birdbrain such as you!" Drona shouted. I had no time to even process his words before he left me there.
I was dumbfounded. I idolized this man. I thought he didn't teach me because he had too many students, not because of my wealth-or lack of. Everything is a lie. I taught myself in respects to him. I sliced my thumb for his honor. The one thing he was right about was I'm a fool. This entire time I thought I harnessed my talent because of him, but I didn't. It was me that spent hours shooting at marked trees, even when my arms ached. It was my gifted nature to create bows and arrows out of mere stick and stones.
But alas, I am nothing now.
How do I look at my wife and children's faces knowing they eat the same, bland grain for three meals a day? My wife is a mere seamstress, there is no money in this trade. The only reason we are able to survive is the food I can catch. My god, what have I done.
AUTHORS NOTE:
Eklavya had one of the most tragic stories we have read so far, at least in my opinion. I think this story kind of symbolizes some of the recent current events this week, of the extremely wealthy getting what they want, no matter the cost, by taking away from the poorer, more skilled (if you still don't know what I'm talking about- the college scam scandal).
Eklavya looked up to Drona but was unable to be taught by him. So, Eklavya taught himself so he could be on Drona's skill level. When Drona finds Eklavya many years later, Drona asks him to cut off his right thumb, taking away one of Eklavya's greatest skills. He was a hunter, this was how he survived. Drona did not show an inkling of admiration for Eklavya's perseverance to master a skill or loyalty. Rather, he got caught up in the unfair practices of the elite.
I will fully admit that this story is not 100% original- it is my writing, but I was inspired by another classmate in this course's story. I tried finding who but was unable to, but when I do, I will add a link to their blog/story to this one. I don't remember exactly where they started and left off in the story, but it was about Eklavya feeling betrayed. I think it was before his thumb was cut off. I wanted to start after- and possibly give more perspective to what his life is after. I may continue to add to this but I also don't want to ramble.
I look down, my hand is red and sticky all over. I can see my thumb is gone, but I can't feel it. In fact, I can't feel anything. My whole body is just, numb. A bloody piece of my own flesh is nestled in my other hand. My god, what have I done.
I look up.
"Well, I admire your dedication to me, I really do, but as you see, my talents lie best in the hands of the Kshatriyas. Sorry if that was too soon." Drona snickers before giving me a side wink.
"No, no, I understand dear sir. My talent would be nonexistent with you.." I try to respond. I feel a thick lump in my throat and I'm holding back tears. Before I can finish my sentence, I'm interjected with:
"You fool! You think I, me, THE Guru Dronacharya, would ever teach, let alone associate myself with an ordinary dimwit as you! I only work for the divine or elite! I am designated for greatness! My entire adolescence was spent learning the military arts and to think I would ever waste a second of my time on a birdbrain such as you!" Drona shouted. I had no time to even process his words before he left me there.
I was dumbfounded. I idolized this man. I thought he didn't teach me because he had too many students, not because of my wealth-or lack of. Everything is a lie. I taught myself in respects to him. I sliced my thumb for his honor. The one thing he was right about was I'm a fool. This entire time I thought I harnessed my talent because of him, but I didn't. It was me that spent hours shooting at marked trees, even when my arms ached. It was my gifted nature to create bows and arrows out of mere stick and stones.
But alas, I am nothing now.
How do I look at my wife and children's faces knowing they eat the same, bland grain for three meals a day? My wife is a mere seamstress, there is no money in this trade. The only reason we are able to survive is the food I can catch. My god, what have I done.
(There are very limited pictures of Eklavya on the internet lol. This is also another way he can possibly shoot without his thumb. Photo can be sourced here.)
AUTHORS NOTE:
Eklavya had one of the most tragic stories we have read so far, at least in my opinion. I think this story kind of symbolizes some of the recent current events this week, of the extremely wealthy getting what they want, no matter the cost, by taking away from the poorer, more skilled (if you still don't know what I'm talking about- the college scam scandal).
Eklavya looked up to Drona but was unable to be taught by him. So, Eklavya taught himself so he could be on Drona's skill level. When Drona finds Eklavya many years later, Drona asks him to cut off his right thumb, taking away one of Eklavya's greatest skills. He was a hunter, this was how he survived. Drona did not show an inkling of admiration for Eklavya's perseverance to master a skill or loyalty. Rather, he got caught up in the unfair practices of the elite.
I will fully admit that this story is not 100% original- it is my writing, but I was inspired by another classmate in this course's story. I tried finding who but was unable to, but when I do, I will add a link to their blog/story to this one. I don't remember exactly where they started and left off in the story, but it was about Eklavya feeling betrayed. I think it was before his thumb was cut off. I wanted to start after- and possibly give more perspective to what his life is after. I may continue to add to this but I also don't want to ramble.
Hi Maya I enjoyed reading your story, thumbless! I thought the way you opened the story was unique. As the reader I was confused and trying to figure what was going same as your character. I had to re-read a few times to be sure I was understanding the timeline and why your thumb went missing. The picture you included helped me better understand why you suffered the injury you did. I feel bad for you as a character putting some much energy and life into a passion only to get rejected by your hero. This story theme for some reason reminded me of Elon Musk's, SpaceX CEO, experience when he was laughed at and rejected by one of his heros, Neil Armstrong. Loved reading your story again!
ReplyDeleteHey Rachana,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this story a lot. I felt the grief through your writing. I thought the use of dialog was nice. It helped with expressing the tone of your story. Also, I enjoyed your verbiage, "I pushed back the curls that had encroached upon his forehead". I'm glad I got to read your work.
Hi Maya! I liked reading your story about Eklavya! His story is definitely sad and I felt and connected with his pain, so good job on writing! I am trying to complete the class (hopefully by tonight...) so I've been doing a lot of comments and I just read Paula's stories. So Paula was the one how wrote a story about Eklavya's thumb!
ReplyDeleteHello Maya! I really liked your story! The title really struck me and so did the intro paragraph! Really captivating and confusing but in a good way! I often get comments about how my stories are confusing, but I see it as a good, thrill adding, anxiety inducing, but also really interesting thing. I also love your use of imagery to provide context. I thought your caption was very funny and your honesty made me smile!
ReplyDeleteEkla's story is very tragic. I think you did a good job of painting what he likely felt when he learned it was his hard work and dedication that really brought his skills forward and not the work of any god. It sucks because so many other characters would have made the same mistake, especially if a god was to appear in front of you. It's just sad that Ekla was judged by his upbringing overall.
ReplyDelete