Climbing Chamundi Hill
1001 Steps with a Storyteller and a Reluctant Pilgrim
The Leper
Just to the west of this district was a land of luxurious
mountain forests. The ruler of that paradise was
an avid hunter who favored the more defenseless
animals for his game.
One day he spotted a young buck grazing at the edge of a clearing and raised his weapon for a kill.
Just as he was about to release the bowstring, a
strange figure appeared between the animal and his
arrow. The king lowered the bow and squinted, for
what he saw astounded him. He could tell it was a
man, possibly old, but so badly misshapen that it
was hard to be sure. The man's skin was blotchy
with large ulcerous spots, many of them oozing a
yellowish-gray fluid, and large flakes were peeling
off. His hair was wildly disheveled and dusty, his
black teeth protruding through distorted lips. He
was naked but for some filthy rags around his bony
waist; his emaciated body was crooked like the
branch of an old olive tree. As the king lowered his
bow, the hideous creature prostrated itself in exaggerated
humility.
"I am so sorry for interrupting your hunt, Your
Majesty. Please forgive me ... "
But the king was too bewildered to mind. "Who
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