Jatayu's Last Flight

Transcript

Evidence labels distinguish sourced context from the episode's fictional story.

1. Hello, little listeners, and welcome to Banyan Stories. Outside the window, a soft rain is tapping on the glass. Inside, the lamp is glowing, and two children are sitting on a big woolly rug with their blankets pulled up to their chins. The room smells a little like oranges and a little like warm cardamom tea. Their names are Mira and Kannan. Mira is eleven, and she loves to ask good questions. Kannan is seven, and he loves to notice little things. Tonight, there is a plate of orange slices between them, and a story waiting to be told. Wiggle into a comfy spot, take a slow breath, and let's begin.

   Evidence:Fictional scene

2. "Mira," said Kannan, hugging his knees, "tell me a story about a really big bird. The biggest bird ever." He stretched his arms out as wide as they would go. "This big!" Mira laughed. "Bigger," she said. "I know one. It's about a very old Vulture king, and a very brave flight. Our story today is called Jatayu's Last Flight." Kannan's eyes went round. "Is it scary?" "It's a gentle telling," said Mira. "I'll go slowly, and I'll tell you when something is only our imagination. Ready?" Kannan nodded so hard that his blanket slipped off his shoulders.

   Evidence:Fictional scene

3. Mira began, in a low, slow voice, like a lullaby. "Long ago, in the great story of the Ramayana, there was a war at a faraway city called Lanka. A wise and clever leader named Sugriva wanted to send a message to the demon king, Ravan. It was a bold, brave message. And in it, Sugriva spoke about a Vulture king. Sugriva said that Ravan had overcome the Vulture king with his arm. And the Vulture king was described as old, and not strong anymore."

   Evidence:Supported

4. Kannan frowned and tugged at his blanket. "Old? And he still flew all the way into a big battle?" "That's what makes him so special," said Mira softly. "Being old did not stop his big heart." Kannan thought about his grandfather, who walks slowly but never forgets to wave from the doorstep. "Does Thatha get tired?" he asked. "Sometimes," said Mira. "But he still waves, doesn't he?" Kannan smiled. "Like Thatha," he whispered. "A little like Thatha," Mira agreed. "Kind and brave, even when the body is tired."

   Evidence:Fictional scene

5. "There is more in the message," said Mira. "Sugriva also said that a lady with lotus eyes was being kept in Ravan's palace, far from home. She was a captive, and she did not belong there. And Sugriva told Ravan a warning. He said Ravan did not know how fierce the man he had wronged really was. In other words, Ravan was in for a surprise, because help was coming." Kannan sat up straight. "Help is coming," he repeated, as if he were tucking those words into his pocket. "Yes," said Mira, and she passed him an orange slice. "Keep them safe in there."

   Evidence:Supported

6. "Close your eyes for a moment," said Mira. "This part is only our imagination, not the story's words. Picture a huge bird gliding over tall green trees. Her wings are wide as two sails. The wind is warm and golden, and it lifts her up, up, up, over the hills. She is old, yes, but she flies with her head held high, because she is flying for someone who needed a friend. Little birds peek out of their nests to watch her pass. And far below, the forest sways, as if saying thank you." Kannan breathed out slowly. The rain tapped on the window, soft as feathers.

   Evidence:Fictional scene

7. For a little while, neither of them said anything. The lamp hummed. A single raindrop wiggled down the glass and joined another one. Kannan opened one eye, then the other, and looked at the ceiling as if he might still see those wide, gentle wings up there. "I think she smiled," he said. "I think she did, too," said Mira.

   Evidence:Fictional scene

8. "Now here's an honest thing," said Mira. "The part of the story we are looking at tonight does not tell us how the fight went. It does not tell us what anyone said, or what happened in it. It only mentions the Vulture king in Sugriva's message. So we won't make up any more and pretend it is true. We'll leave that part quiet, like a page we haven't turned yet. Maybe someday we'll find more, and we'll check it carefully." Kannan nodded. "Quiet is okay," he said.

   Evidence:Supported

9. Kannan pulled the blanket up and peeked at the window. "Mira, is everyone okay?" Mira put an arm around him. "This is a story from very long ago, and we are here, safe and warm, in our own living room. The lamp is on, and Mum and Dad are in the next room, laughing at something on the kitchen radio. Can you hear them? Stories can be about big feelings, and we can hold them gently. And remember, in this story, help was on its way." Kannan listened, and heard a giggle drift down the hall. His shoulders dropped. "Okay," he said. "I feel cozy again."

   Evidence:Fictional scene

10. Here's a question to share with your family. Can you think of someone you know who is older, and still very kind and brave? Maybe a grandparent, a neighbour, or a teacher. What is one brave, kind thing they have done? Take your time, and tell each other about it. Then maybe give that person a big wave or a hug tomorrow.

    Evidence:Fictional scene

11. Mira closed the book of her thoughts, and Kannan yawned a great big yawn. "I like the old Vulture king," he said sleepily. "Me too," said Mira. They finished the last orange slice, and the rain slowed to a whisper. Mira tucked the blanket around her little brother's toes and switched the lamp down low. Somewhere in the dark, they could almost picture a pair of wide wings, gliding home. Thank you for listening to Banyan Stories. Sleep well, little ones, and dream of kind hearts and wide, wide skies. Goodnight.

    Evidence:Fictional scene

Source notes

These notes show what a source supports. They do not turn fictional dialogue or scenes into historical claims.

• The Ramayan of Valmiki (English verse translation, Internet Archive copy)

  Ralph T. H. Griffith (translator); Valmiki (original poet)

  Evidence:Supported

  In the Lanka war, as rendered in this Griffith verse translation, Sugriva sends Ravan a defiant message saying his arm subdued the Vulture king, who is described as infirm and old. In the same message, Sugriva says the lotus-eyed lady is held captive in Ravan's palace and that Ravan does not know how fierce the man he has wronged is. The available evidence gives no further details of the vulture's fight, so any retelling of the fight itself, such as dialogue, wounds or last words, must be sourced elsewhere or marked as creative.

  Claims: c1, c2, c3 · Evidence: e116-vulture-king-subdued-by-ravan-v1

  View the registered source