Pino Mia's Jouney for Golden Nectar

Pino Mia's Quest for Golden Nectar [[The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. ]]

You wake up, Pino Mia, a honey hunter. Morning sunlight slips through your roof's cracks. Familiar sights and sounds greet you in Rajat Jubilee, your coastal village. It is nestled away within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forests. Spanning Bangladesh and India, the Sundarbans has honey-hunters gathering wild honey for a living. The honey hunters risk their lives, as the Sundarbans is home to ferocious Royal Bengal tigers. Each year, these tigers kill hundreds, including honey-hunters, in both Bangladesh and India. [[Would you brave this dangerous forest?]]

Would you brave this dangerous forest to hunt honey? [[Yes, I have no other option.]] [[No, I do not want to risk my life]]

[[You Prepare for the Honey-Hunting Journey]]

I will not brave the Sundarbans.

With a stretch, yawn, you rise from the cot feeling the rhythm of the day. Your bare feet touch a earthen floor smoothed by use. In the corner of the room, an ornate brass lamp flickers softly casting dancing shadows on the walls. It is a family heirloom passed down generations as a beacon of light in darkness. You approach it with reverence, offer silent prayer for protection, guidance. Next to the lamp on a small wooden shelf lie clay pots meticulously crafted by your own hands. They are the tools of the trade,, essential companions on journeys into the Sundarbans. You run fingers over their smooth surfaces, feeling a connection to the earth and its bounty. On the opposite wall there hangs a faded tapestry depicting scenes from ancient myths and legends. It is a reminder of the stories that build the fabric of your life as a source of inspiration and wisdom as you navigate each day's challenges. As you move through the room you pause before a weathered trunk. With anticipation you lift the lid revealing a treasure trove of ancestral products. Among them there is a small wooden figurine—a representation of Bonbibi, the forest Goddess who watches over your village. Your ancestors carved it with care invoking her protection during their journeys into the Sundarbans. With profound respect, you touch the figurine seeking her blessing for the day ahead. You know that she will guide you in your steps and keep you safe amidst the dangers of the mangrove forests. [[Journey Starts]]

With your morning rituals completed, you make your way outside where your creaky wooden boat is waiting for you at the water's edge. The salty breeze carries the promise of adventure mingling with the earthy scent of the mangroves. Today like every other day you will venture deep into the heart of the Sundarbans in search of wild honey. As you set off from the shore, the sun rises higher in the sky painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. The journey ahead will be treacherous, fraught with danger at every turn. But you are undeterred. For you, honey is more than just a source of sustenance—it is a lifeline, a connection to the land and its secrets. As you navigate the narrow channels of the Sundarbans, you feel the weight of centuries of tradition upon your shoulders. You are a guardian of your family's legacy, a keeper of ancient knowledge passed down through generations. [[Sundarbans Is No Place for the Faint-hearted ]]

And with each stroke of the oar, you forge a deeper bond with the land and its mysteries. Finally, amidst the dense foliage you spot your prize—a colossal beehive clinging to a tree high above. The bees buzz angrily warning you to stay away. But you are undeterred. With the smoke torch you crafted earlier you approach the hive, your heart pounding with anticipation. With practiced skill you harvest the honey your hands moving deftly despite the bees' stings. You feel a sense of exhilaration as you work a thrill that comes from facing the dangers of the forest head-on and emerging victorious. And then with the honey safely stowed away in your boat you set sail for home. [[Honey Collected!]]

Your fellow honey gatherers—men weathered by the sun and salt, shared stories. Amzad Mollah, the eldest among them, recounted recent tragedies: a 12-year-old boy taken by a tiger, a young fisherman mauled to death by the tiger. The Sundarbans demanded respect; it was no place for the faint-hearted. [[Recollections of Sad Memories Past]]

As you harvested the honey, you felt the forest’s pulse—the rhythm of survival, the delicate balance between life and death. The tigers watched from shadowed thickets, their amber eyes assessing your resolve. You whispered to them, invoking Bonbibi, the forest Goddess’s name, promising not to disturb their domain. [[Gratitude to Bonbibi]]

The journey back home was no less perilous than the journey to the forest, but Bonbibi had watched over you. Hindus and Muslims alike prayed to her, seeking protection from the man-eating Royal Bengal tigers that haunted these waters. You collected leaves and twigs, crafting a smoke-emitting torch to ward off the aggressive bees. The ritual was as old as time itself—a plea for safety in a realm where danger lurked at every turn [[Jouney Back Home]]

And then, with sticky hands and a heart full of gratitude, you got off from the tree. The bees humm a farewell, and the mangroves embrace you. You start to sail back, the precious honey cradled in your arms. Your village is waiting for your return—the debts would be repaid, the boats repaired. You wonder: Can, I, the bee-hunter, return safe, with your spirit woven into the fabric of the Sundarbans. Although you are brave, you realize the danger is not over yet. [[Ending 1]] [[Ending 2]]

As you step onto the shore of Rajat Jubilee once more, you feel a sense of pride within you. You have faced the dangers of the Sundarbans and come back victorious, your spirit strengthened by the challenges you've overcome. With the honey safely delivered to your village you know that your morning rituals have served their purpose. They have involved you in the traditions of your ancestors connecting you to the land and its mysteries in a way that few others can understand. And as you settle back into the familiar rhythm of village life, you know that you will always carry the spirit of the Sundarbans with you.

Jubilation and a New Beginning! As you step onto the shore of Rajat Jubilee once more, a sense of pride swells within you. You've faced the dangers of the Sundarbans and returned victorious, your spirit emboldened by the challenges you have conquered. But as you gaze upon your village, something stirs within you—a desire for change, for innovation. The old ways have served you well, but perhaps there is a better, safer and more environmentally friendly way to gather honey without risking lives in the tigers' domain. [[ A New Beginning]]

You decide to find new honey-gathering techniques that respect tradition, but protect your people. The old ways had value, yet change became vital. Resistance awaited, but forging a path merging ancient wisdom with modern methods inspire you. A difficult road lies ahead, yet your resolve remains steadfast. As you walk through the village, you share your vision with others, igniting a spark of hope and possibility. Together, you embark on a new journey—one of innovation and adaptation, which is guided by the wisdom of the past and the promise of the future. And as the sun sets over the Sundarbans, casting a golden glow upon the horizon, you feel a sense of excitement for the adventures that lie ahead. With courage and ingenuity, you will continue to honor the legacy of your ancestors while charting a course toward a brighter, safer future for all. [[ Your Journey Ahead is Not Without a Challenge]]

I am here now under this same beehive. The honey drips like liquid sunlight. The bees buzz around me. Their stings are a pain I know well. I think of Gazi’s laughs and his eyes full of hope when he climbed these trees to collect honey. The tiger that is my big nemesis lurks in the dark spots. Its eyes like amber pierce my soul. Its stripes show its hunger. But I am not the scared honey hunter that I was before. I am one who has lived past troubles. I reach for the honey. My fingers are steady. The bees protest but I do not care. [[Injured but Undeterred]]

The tiger watches. Its breath is a low rumble. I can almost hear what it thinks: "Not this one. Not this day." And then it strikes out at me. The tiger’s claws tear into my leg, and I scream—a loud sound that cuts through the night. But I will fight back. I reme¬mber Gazi’s gift, his blood on these same roots. I kick, I hit, I scratch at the beast. The tiger roars, its grip getting weak. Another honey collector—a stranger—comes to my rescue, holding a big stick. Together, we make the¬ predator go away. The pain is very strong, but I hold on to life. They say the honey taste¬s sweeter afte¬r not dying from a tiger attack. Maybe it is true. As I lie here, bloody and broken, I taste victory. The bees swarm, their anger a sound. Gazi, my love, I will bring this honey home. Our kids will eat, and your memory will live on. The Sundarbans may take its victims, but it also leaves survivors. Maybe, Bonbibi saved me from being the food of the tiger today. Bonbbibi, you are so merciful! [[Honey! Honey! Honey!]]

The journey ahead is not without its challenges. You face skepticism from some elders who cling tightly to tradition, fearing that any big changes will dishonor the tradition of the ancestors. Yet, you are determined, gently initiating change into the fabric of tradition. With patience and reverence, you listen to their concerns, and seek common ground and understanding. As the seasons turn, your efforts begin to bear fruit. The new honey-gathering techniques prove successful, providing you with not only a living but also a renewed sense of pride and unity among your people. Slowly but steadily, doubt fades into pople's admiration, and the once-divided village finds itself bound together by a shared vision of progress. With each passing day, your confidence grows, rejuvenated by the unwavering support of your community. Together, you chart the uncharted territory of innovation, drawing strength from the resilience of your ancestors. And as you stand on the cusp of a new era, you are filled with gratitude for the lessons of the past and an optimism for the possibilities of tomorrow.

The moon was low and shone a silver light on the twisted mangrove trees. My heart be¬at fast, like the roars of the Royal Bengal Tigers that live in these dark swamps. I suddenly remembered my cousin Gazi. Four years ago, Gazi died in the Sundarbans. He collected honey, a brave person who went into dange to get the golden honey that could feed our hungry kids. The tiger killed him fast and left only his cut-off hand to show. [[ Memories Keep Haunting]]