The Debate Part 1: The Opportunistic Creatures

It is fascinating to explore the philosophy of renunciation and delve into the age-old conflict between 'letting go' and 'holding on.' This topic draws inspiration from the Mahabharata, a timeless piece of literature, and is intertwined with my unique imagination and creativity. Ancient texts, myths, and legends contain a lot of wisdom. They are full of hidden truths waiting to be discovered if we are willing to pay attention.

Recommended age: No recommendation. Depends on the maturity of one's mind:)

In a distant galaxy known as the Proxima Centauri system, specifically on the exoplanet Proxima B, a fascinating debate unfolded between a vulture and a jackal. Despite the extraterrestrial setting, the inhabitants of Proxima B bear a striking resemblance to Earth's creatures. On the exoplanet Proxima B, one side is tidally locked to its host star, which always faces the sun and experiences perpetual daylight. On the opposite side, the planet is in constant darkness. However, the region in between, known as the Terminator line, experiences a perpetual twilight that is neither fully illuminated nor completely dark. This unique environment has led to the development of fascinating adaptations in the creatures that inhabit this intermediate zone, as they have evolved to thrive in perpetual evening-like conditions. What's truly remarkable is that all the living beings on this planet can communicate with each other using a single universal language. On that planet, a captivating culture unfolds, where humanoid inhabitants have a unique ritual when the smallest member of their community or family passes away. Instead of traditional burials or cremations, they leave their deceased loved one in a graveyard for the local wildlife to consume. This act is not just a ritual but a deeply held belief that the spirits of their departed live on through the creatures that partake in their remains, fostering a profound connection between the living and the natural world. On the planet Proxima B, the humanoids hold a unique perspective on the animals in the wild. Unlike on Earth, they regard these creatures as their superiors, believing that the animals evolved before them and are their ancestors. This belief system shaped their treatment of all wildlife, as they deeply respect and revere the creatures that inhabit the wild.

Once, on that planet far, far away, a humanoid couple who had faced years of heart-wrenching struggle with infertility finally experienced the joy of welcoming a child into their lives. However, their joy turns to heartbreak as their beloved son is born with a severe form of epilepsy and tragically passes away at the tender age of four. The unimaginable loss shattered the parents, leading to an outpouring of raw emotion as they expressed their profound sorrow through tearful cries that echoed throughout the entire region. Taking the dead child, they went to the graveyard. As they started to pass the baby from one arm to another, they wept even more intensely, overcome with profound sadness. With heavy hearts, they could not bring themselves to leave, and so they lay the body down on the bare ground, remembering their boy's cute words with deep sadness, oblivious that a hungry Vulture and a Jackal were observing them from a distance. The opportunistic creatures were waiting patiently for the parents to go away so that they could feast on the corpses. The Jackal and the Vulture were in a mode of fierce competition over possession of the corpse. Both are determined to claim the carcass for their own without a fight. They were acutely aware that engaging in a physical altercation would result in serious injury for one or both of them, potentially leaving the loser not only wounded but also deprived of food. Neither of them has the intention to share their food with the other. So they thought it would be an easy and efficient way to convince the humanoids to leave that place as soon as possible. The Vulture wanted the Jackal and the humanoids to go away, leaving the carcass on the ground and vice versa. After waiting for a while, seeing that the parents were not moving from their places, Vulture, hungry and frustrated, decided to make a move.

The Vulture flew closer to the group and said: "Go away from here without further delay. Those who bring their deceased loved ones to this place and those who accompany the bodies eventually depart from this world when their lifespans come to an end. Let go of your child. Relatives always departed, leaving behind thousands of individuals, both men and women, who have been brought here over the centuries. Do not linger in this haunting graveyard. It is teeming with vultures circling overhead, jackals lurking in the shadows, and skeletons scattered about, instilling fear in every living being. In the intricate and expansive weave of the universe, an enduring and captivating interplay of exuberant joy and profound suffering continually unfolds, weaving a mesmerizing and profound tapestry of existence. The eternal rhythm of coming together and drifting apart is a fundamental aspect that reverberates throughout every dimension of existence in the universe. The relentless passage of time shows no mercy, affecting everyone, regardless of whether they are a cherished ally or a bitter foe. It is an inevitable fate that looms over every living being, a force that cannot be resisted or denied. In this expansive world of ours, every creature that begins its journey in this life is ultimately destined to face the inevitable and universal reality of mortality. This inescapable fate binds every living soul. Who among us possesses the power to breathe life back into those who have departed? Destined by the unstoppable force of destruction, this path is an inevitable course that cannot be altered or escaped. Renounce your affection for your child and return to your home."

Hearing the Vulture's words, the parents felt a glimmer of consolation amidst their grief. Slowly and solemnly, they tenderly placed their precious child on the bare earth, preparing to depart, carrying the weight of their sorrow with them. Knowing very well that the child had died and giving up every hope of seeing him again, they stood up and turned their backs.

In shadows lurk those wise and sly,

Creatures of instinct who dance and fly.

With eyes like lanterns, keen and bright,

They seize the moment, harnessing the twilight.

The cunning jackal weaves through the dusk,

With a nose to the ground in search of its trust.

It knows where to tread, where opportunities lay,

In every crack and crevice, it finds a new way.

The Vulture thrives on the leftover found,

In alleys and shadows, where remains abound.

With resilience and grit, it makes do and survives,

Turning misfortune into fortune, where death still thrives.

The opportunist bird with an intent of its own,

Seeks sweetness in the place, the dreaded zone.

In the house of the dead, it flourishes there,

It flits through the carcass, taking its share.

In the guise of kindness, a masked intent,

These opportunistic creatures seize every moment.

For while fortune may favor the bold and the keen,

True wisdom lies in the balance between.

End of Part -1

Part - 2 is coming soon.