NAME: TANYA YADAV

AGE: 13 YRS
LANGUAGE OF ENTRY:
ENGLISH
SUBJEST LINE: THE RETELL,
REMIX, REJOICE CONTEST
CATEGORY: BELOW 16

Muthiaya is an old woman. She lives with her husband

Murari in a village called Takori. People of Takori still
barter. Muthiaya brews a concoction which she has
named Ala Bala Bum and barters it for clay in the
weekly Haat. She then uses the clay to bake pots and

The haat is like a much awaited celebration. Murari

picks up his drum to join one and all in the village.
Everyone exchanges Ala Bala Bum for clay. Monkeys,
birds, sheep and all his fellow mates gather at the haat
to taste and test the concoction.

Whoa! The haat is the time to rejoice. All the inmates of

Takori sing and dance to the beats of the drum and the call
of the trumpet. They sing Ala Bala Bum, Ala Bala Bum ...
Dhum ...dhama ...dhum ...dham Oh! It looks like a victory
jig known to all humans and animals alike. Indeed, ala bala
bum does look like a possession of immense importance to
the life in Takori.

Takori looks greener, and so much at peace after the

haat. People look lighter and happier. One wonders
what is Ala Bala Bum all about.

But then the magic seems to vain. The clouds stopped

visiting and the land lost the touch of nature. The time
had come for Muthiaya to part with her magic. Murari
carried the magical sling as the anxious villagers
gaped. Yes! Murari bartered the magical seeds of Ala
Bala Bum with nature...

Murari with his fellow mates and other animals just

doled out the magical seeds from his sling.

Murari toiled day and night. Slowly the land looked

nourished. .. But Murari waited for the magic to
work ...and it did...

Takori again looked green. It got back the touch of nature, the
touch of God. The Takorians realised that Murari had reaped magic.
Murari knocked on the ground and stooped to listen. Slowly the
rhythm of Ala Bala Bum... Dhum Dham Dhum Dhum began to tap
softly. His barter with nature had reaped magic for Takori...
Muthiayas magic had worked again.