Page 154 - Kolaj Sharodiya Review Edition

The burial sites

Tom started sailing his boat again. After hours of boating, they felt tired. The weather was also not so good. They desperately needed an island to take shelter. They were trying
to find a landmass with Tom’s binocular and luckily found one, at a distance. Within half an hour, they reached the island. Looking around, he felt that the place resembled the
pictures seen in the history book. He remembers the description and photographs of a Paleolithic site in the book. Here also they were lucky enough and found some friendly
tribals boys playing with stones and wood. Tom and Tommy also joined them. The sun was about to set. It started raining, too. The tribal boys took Tom and Tommy with them.
Seeing a city boy with the kids, the elders in the village were surprised. After knowing about Tom and Tommy’s adventurous trips to explore the unknown, the elders were very
impressed. They let Tom and Tommy stay with them for a day. That is exactly what Tom and Tommy needed. They had their dinner with their new friends. They were amazed to
see that here all were having their meals together, like one big family. Tom and Tommy had a very peaceful sleep on that rainy night. Next day was a bright , sunny day. They
started exploring the village with their new friends. Tom loved their cultures and traditions, their dance forms, paintings etc.

He was amazed by the friendliness and kindness of these people. After walking for a few kilometers, they saw some people were growing crops with the help of sickles and
ploughs. He also saw the beautiful fields of different crops grown by them. Then, the tribal friends showed Tom the houses of these farmers. Tom observed that most of the
houses were built with wood. Just like the one at which they stayed last night.

Then, he saw some farmers who were grinding grains in the corner with the help of pestles and
mortars. He observed that these people, just like what he saw in the other island, were leading
their lives without any help of the modern gadgets, which the people can not live without in the
city. They spend their lives without TV, mobiles, cars etc.

Tom and Tommy and their new friends continued walking. Now they reached a burial site. There
he saw a very different thing. He saw that people were burying the dead body of a woman
along with some household items and the effigy of a pet dog.

He was excited at the possibility of learning a new unknown ritual. He asked his tribal friend :
“Why are they doing it this way?”

His friend explained that they believed that there was life after death and a person would
require his/her beloved pet and household items even after death. Tom wondered and thought
that may be there is life after death. He thought of asking his father about it upon returning
home.

Tom and Tommy were now thinking that there are many differences between the city people
and the tribal people and the city people are unaware of so many things.

By then, The sun began shining brighter and they reached their boat. They said goodbye to their
friends. Their journey began again.