It all started just cause I wanted to party.
I had heard about this celebration happening cause a lady was getting a title. All I needed was a mask and a costume. I had my fancy “ceremony” robes, and I could probably wear them, but, I definitely needed a mask.
For the second time since I’ve been here, I decided to go into town.. this time I’d stroll in proper!
I got a lotta looks (nobody seen a Vanara before?), but eventually I found what I was looking for. A human, I think.., was selling masks and stuff at a central stall. I walked up.
We both stared at each other shocked, for a minute. Is this what a human looks like? I hadn’t seen many.. He looked kinda like if I had shaved.. all over! At least this one had hair on the top of his head.. the last one I met only had eyebrows.. least, I think that’s what they were.. big scary eyebrows, like 2 fuzzy caterpillars fighting on his face..
“Wow you’re ugly!”, he said.
“That’s just, like, yer opinion, man”, I replied..
“WHAT ARE YOU?”, he shot back..
“I’m Hanu, man.. I’m a Vanara.. the only one I’ve met..”
He just stared..
“A kind of monkey race”, I continued.
“So.. y’ain’t human?”
“Yer very perceptive..” I replied
“So”, I continued, “I see you’re selling masks and stuff here, and I heard there’s a celebration going on? A kind of masked ball? I think I need a mask!”
He looked slyly at me with a half smile, “I know something that will be perfect for you! He said. “Free of charge!”
I guess I should have thought this all was suspicious, but, I try to keep an open mind .. he gave me a mask and a cloak to wear with it. The mask was.. well.. pretty but scary, and the cloak… I’ve done funerals, man, I know a burial shroud when I see one, but, I don’t know the customs here, so, I rolled with it.
He directed me to the building for the “party” and I went my merry making way.
I knew it was wrong as soon as I entered the building. He’d sent me to a children’s sick house hospital! Patients moaning in their beds looked up at me and screeched! He’d made me up like some kinda plague monkey!!
I ran out of there and made for the trees. Later, I buried the “costume”.
It’s gonna be a little before I show my face in town again
They threw rocks at me!
That’s not what I meant by wanting to get stoned, man!