The flying bed: Episode 3-Demolition of the Kangla monster

 

It is especially cold tonight and sleep is fast approaching. But habits die hard and we must embark on our nightly mission again. The flying bed is ready.  Captains Columbus, Optimus and Maximus are also ready. Genie wants to stay curled up inside his lamp but will still tag along. Today, there are new members in the team because Optimus and Maximus’ faithful dogs ‘Snowman’ and ‘Panther’ do not want to leave their masters’ sides. The flying bed wants to protest against the extra weight but warm company overrides everything and we are all set for our very important mission.

Among all the urgent issues floating around on the grapevine, the resurgence of the sleeping monster at Kangla poses a huge threat to the existence of mankind especially children in Imphal. So, we decided that we must tackle this issue first and foremost.

For general information, Kangla is a heritage site in the heart of Imphal, the capital city of a north eastern state in India. It embodies the core of the ethnic religious faith. The sacred sites located here are revered and feared. It is a beautiful place too with manicured gardens, parks, trees and ponds with water so clear that it reflects the perfect blue of the sky. Kangla is surrounded by a moat called the Kangla Moat. Inside the campus, there is a huge rock that blocks the entrance to a tunnel that supposedly leads to a bordering country. It is believed that once upon a time the bravehearts of the erstwhile kingdom had vanquished a deadly monster and had pushed it inside the tunnel and then had blocked the entrance with the huge rock.

And, tonight news is abuzz that the monster is rearing its ugly head again! It is our bounden duty to put it in its place again. So, team Flying bed, here we go again. Our ceiling opens up silently so as not to alert the neighbours and the flying bed zooms upward swiftly assuming the invisible mode. Following the sensors built into the bed, we reach Kangla in no time. Before landing in enemy territory, we study the lie of the land. Maximus and Optimus are especially good at this and in no time, we have completely assessed our adversary’s strengths and weaknesses.

Snowman and Panther have smelled out the whereabouts of the monster. It has just come out of the tunnel and seems to be quite surprised by the change in the surroundings. The first thing that struck him, I am sure, is the palace which used to be there but is now a ‘protected ruins’. One thing that we have secretly noticed is that the monster keeps on covering its ears again and again. I was quite baffled at first but now I know its Achilles’ heel.

This fact, I have noticed in our friend Genie too, when we met for the first time. The din of his days was nothing compared to the clamor of people and the clang of machine today. So, ancient ears need some time getting used to it. But this is our secret weapon and we have decided to use it to the fullest.

Optimus and Maximus regulate the control panel and release supersonic sound waves that resonates throughout the campus. They have also quickly provided us with earmuffs.

In no time, the surprised monster is down and writhing in pain and somehow manage to rush back inside its tunnel. We quickly seal the entrance, with the rock again but this time we have reinforced it with transmitters that can transmit this supersonic sound waves which will be permanently activated in this closed niche.

One more mission accomplished. Everyone is mentally exhausted today as we have had to use our wits more than our physical strengths. We head back home. Our roof opens up and we land safely in our bedroom.

The boys are gently snoring. I too release a big yawn and settle for the night. Snowman and Panther move to their favourite corners in the room. Genie is safely back inside its lamp.

 

Sleep tight, my boys. Sweet dreams!