Race of the Rivers
by Esther Syiem and illustrated by Benedict Hynniewta
“Race of the Rivers” by Esther Syiem and illustrated by Benedict Hynniewta. Published by Tulika. A well known Khasi folk tale about two sisters retold by the author. The book was originally written in Khasi and happens to be the first picture book ever for children in that language.
Ka Iew and Ka Ngot were two sisters who lived long ago when the earth was young and animals could still talk to humans. They were the daughters of the powerful god U Lei Shyllong who ruled from the top of Lum Shyllong which is the highest point in the Khasi hills from which the city of Shillong gets its name.
The sisters played with each other the whole day. In summer, they would paddle in the shallows of streams. Spring would see them swimming with the shallynnai fish in the streams. They would also play hide and seek with each other amidst the tall grass. Ka Iew, the older one was quite strong and could run as fast as any Sier (red deer). Ka Ngot, the younger one, was the dreamy one and loved to sit by herself and wonder about the faraway places that she could see from the hilltop.
One day, the sisters ended up running so high above the hill that they reached the Shillong peak right at the top. When they looked down from there, they could see the distant plains of Sylhet (which is now in Bangladesh). The plains seemed to be beckoning them. Ka Iew proposed that they should race down the hill to see who reaches first. Ka Ngot was hesitant to accept the challenge. Ka Iew didn’t budge and she just couldn’t wait. She rushed down the slopes.
What did Ka Ngot do? Did she go behind her sister and join the race? Did they go to the plains? Why is the story called so? Where are the rivers? Read the story to find out who won the race and was it a race after all.
My seven year old and I enjoyed reading this beautiful story from an enchanting land. The bond between sisters is super special. The illustrations make the story come alive and take us on a journey from the hills to the plains.
The book is a part of the word bird series of books by Tulika. The word bird books feature traditional as well as contemporary stories from different regions. The unfamiliar words from different regional languages are explained with the help of word birds in the pages of the book giving a charming touch to the story being narrated.
We read this book and “U Sier Lapalang” which is also from Meghalaya at around the same time last year. Both of these books give us a glimpse into the exotic state. Apt for children aged 5+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.