Wilkins of Andora

The Wilkins of Andora were the only sea faring folk on Andora. They lived in a stretch of islands largely on their own. They seldom had any visitors. And even if they had visitors they were said to be very inhospitable, and the visitors more or less left their islands the same day. They hunted the seas and had large feasts everyday. Very happy and generous people they were, of course within themselves. Their boats were long and wide that it could carry a dozen people with ease. The men went hunting the seas while the women stayed back and took care of the children. And there was a young boy who looked to the seas as the men marched into the seas. He longed to hunt the sea creatures with the elders. His father Iskrin never let him near the boats. Even once when he jumped into the boats and hid himself when no one saw him, he was found out by a sea farer and they threw him out of the boats. His father watched him with strict folded arms as he went into the seas. Isin did not give up, but that particular day he had to. Like many other days, he went to the far east corners of the island. The roads were there sometimes, and the roads were not there sometimes. The path leading to the far east. There were streams and falls that covered this part of the island. And to Isin, it was a paradise. He wondered that day, like many other days that why no one wanted to come to these particular parts of the island. There were birds large and small that sailed the blue skies. There were reptile like creatures that walked along the edges. They looked harmful and Isin decided that it was best for him not to go near and pet them.

All though the beauty of this part of the planet greeted him warmly , his eyes were focused on something else. The caves of Wilkin as they were called a long time ago. The islanders and other people alike used to got there and explore these caves. They used to have picnics there in the caves. There was a lot of hustle and bustle a long time ago. Some of the brave ones used to even have a born fire there and roast their meats and spend the night there. Nowadays the caves were visited only by Isin. These people have gone bored, he would say. They have lost thir sense of adventure, would say Isin and walk into these caves. These caves were very dark inside and without light it was certainly hard for people to see anything inside. Isin lit a match and walked in to the caves. Not all part of these caves were dimly lit, some parts of the caves had some light coming in. Isin used to go these parts of the cave and stand there and look at the other holes through which the sun light had some in. Then he used to take out a piece of paper and mark the locations in it. What he was charting is still not known. Isin had explored only the 25th hole in the cave. And beyond that he did not dare venture into. But today, he thought would be the ideal day for him to venture far beyond. Krukin had already warned him the last time they had ventured so far in here before. Krukin you see was the only friend of Isin who had the faintest interest in these caves apart from Isin. The two of them have visited the cave many times together, but if Isin can recall, he surely would have entered these caves a lot more times alone than with company. The last week the two of them stood here right in the same spot as they did now and when Isin suggested that they move further ahead , he was stopped by Krukin. " There are dark creatures there, he said. We shall not return home Isin, if we go to these dark parts he warned. So, they retuned back home. But not today, Isin mustered up all his courage. He lit his match and walked ahead. At first footing into the unchartered territory, he was welcomed by bat like creatures. The creatures of the dark, it was written in their scripture. They flew above him and he showed the light to the bats, who screeched which scared Isin a bit. Not today, he decided. So, he went back to the safer parts of the cave and stood there. He jotted down a few more details and decided that it was best that he returned back home.

"As he walked back to his home, he felt an itch on the back of his head. He nibbled at the wound for a while" Must be the bats, he had come to the conclusion. It was almost sundown now, and he deiced it was best that he race home. He ran back crossing the same streams and falls he had previously passed. He ran past the harbours from where the boats took sail in the morning. The fisherman had returned back to the shore. They were carrying their spoils back home. Isin saw his father on the shore and he ran as fast as he could. He gasped for air as he reached the foot of his house. Where were you ? asked Krukin. Nowhere, just here and there , replied Isin in a casual manner. Not been to the caves, asked Krukin. No, replied Isin in a staunch manner. He felt the itch grow further, he felt an immediate compulsion to tend to it. So there he rushed away from Krukin and into his house.