The Curse of the
Praying Mantis
Note: An updated version of this story can be found at my portfolio website
https://sites.google.com/site/monasstorycollection/home
One of nature’s viscous creatures is the praying
mantis. Although the insect is a sleek
and elegant creature, few people know how it came to be. The following account is a tale that has been
lost over time, but recently was rediscovered in an ancient temple near Amritsar. For fans of folk lore please enjoy the Curse
of the Praying Mantis.
On the island of Lanka, a tribe of female goblins know as, rakshasis,
controlled it and the surrounding waters.
By casting a glamour these demon females hunted their favorite delicacy,
man flesh. Not only did they enjoy the
taste of flesh, but they also craved a man’s companionship. The goblin tribe thought that the more a man
trusted his companion, the sweeter his flesh tasted. Therefore, the hunt happened in four
stages. First, the female goblins caused
shipwrecks at the narrow straight near Lanka island. Second, as the sailors washed ashore the
female demons would attend to all the sailors needs. Third, the goblins would bide their time
until the sailors claimed them as wives.
Fourth, was the great feast, in which the men realized to late that they
were nothing but a demon’s meal.
Overtime, the rakshasis’ appetites became insatiable. Soon not one trade ship survived the narrow
straight. Which became a major concern
to the capital city on the main land.
Food, textiles, and other supplies never arrived. The result was an
epidemic of famine, crime, sickness, and death.
As the capital city citizens cried for relief from their pain and
suffering, Saraswati answered the call.
Saraswati in her infinite wisdom descended upon goblin
city. Her mission involved justice for
the lost lives, and punishment for to the rakshasis. Her course of action was swift, final, and
absolute. Saraswati proclaimed that the
female demons’ glamour abilities were to be stripped. The goblin queen declared that they only
acted according to their nature and should not be condemned. Saraswati, not one to be outwitted stated
that the demon tribe will be transformed. Much to the rakshasis’ displeasure,
they were forever locked in their true form, but on a smaller scale. So, the entire tribe became praying mantises.
Authors Note
For this story I focused on plot changes. For example, instead of a fairy I chose Saraswati the goddess of wisdom. I also through in a plot twist that explained the origin of the praying mantis. Similar to old myths that tried to explain things before the scientific method was the standard.
Goblin City from The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India, by W. H. D. Rouse
