In the Shadow of the Ark by Anne Provoost

Author:Anne Provoost [Provoost, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-545-41482-1
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2001-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

32

Neelata’s Story

In the city where she lived, her family had incited the people against the ruler. The ruler burned with anger and imprisoned her father, her brothers, her uncle and nephews, her whole rebellious family, in order to kill them. The only exception was Neelata’s mother, who was allowed to remain free so she could provide for the condemned. Every evening, when she brought the bowls of millet, she stood at the ruler’s door to beg for mercy. She banged her head against the wood, pulled out her hair, tore her clothes, and loudly begged for her husband, her children, her brother, her brother’s children.

One day the ruler felt compassion. He admired the endurance of the woman at his door, and her love too. Because of that, he stood up and went to meet her. He said, “One loved one you may choose, one prisoner I will release, the others will die.”

After brief reflection, Neelata’s mother said, “Let my brother go.”

The ruler was amazed and said, “But I have your sons too, and your daughter. I have your husband. Why do you choose your brother?”

“I am still young and can find a new husband. If I have a new husband, I can have new sons and a new daughter with him. But I cannot have a new brother, because both my parents have died.” Thus Neelata’s uncle was set free, a wealthy man with snow-white hair and chests full of gold. And because the woman amused the ruler, he set her daughter free too.

Neelata’s mother was not pleased at her daughter’s release. She feared her vengeance. She asked her wealthy brother to take her away, to marry her off to a man who would take her on a long journey. That was why Neelata’s uncle had brought her to the Builder, to the man who would undertake the longest journey ever made. That is why he had brought the most beautiful and valuable presents; Neelata’s mother and uncle came from a rich and powerful family.

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