One day, Chiengte was wandering about in search of food. He came across the nest of a big serpent. The serpent stopped Chiengte abruptly and commanded him to watch his eggs because he was to go away in search of food. Chiengte made and excuse that he was also looking for food. The serpent then threatened Chiengte, saying, “I am very hungry. If you refuse to guard my eggs, I shall eat you up.” Having no other laternative, Chiengte agreed to guard the eggs of the serpent. After a short while, a couple of bulbul came flying and sat on a dry branch of the tree which was just above the serpent’s eggs. By chance the dry twig fell and broke all the eggs. Foreseeing the impending danger that would surely befall on him, Chiengte decided to run away for his life.
First, Chiengte went to a bear. He said to the bear, “I was guarding the big serpent’s eggs. A couple of bulbul came and broke all the eggs. I am now running for my life.” The bear promised him protection. But when the serpent was moving towards them, the bear dared not protect Chiengte. Chiengte approacfhed and tiger. But the tiger was also afraid of the serpent and told Chiengte to run away immediately.
Chiengte was now weary and tired. He sat on the roadside. He thought that he was sure to die. At that moment, a big eagle was flying overhead. All of the sudden, he dived and sat near Chiengte. The eagle asked, “Chiengte, why are you running in so haste?” Chiengte then narrated his sad story from the beginning. The eagle took pity on him and hid him under his right wing. After sometime, the serpent came to the eagle and enquired whether he saw Chiengte coming. “No: was the blunt reply from the eagle. The serpent insisted, “Chiengte’s footprints have just stopped here. Maybe, you are hiding him. Therefore spread your wings.” Then eagle spread his left wing. The serpent demanded that he should spread his right wing also. But the eagle made and excuse that his right wing was not well. The serpent still insisted that he should spread it at least half. When the eagle spread his wing half, the serpent could see the legs of Chiengte. IN this way, there was enmity between the serpent and the eagle which eventually led to a war between the flying creatures in the sky and the walking creatures on the ground.
All the walking creatures came together at one place and all the flying creatures also assembled together on the branch of a big banyan tree. The war began. The serpent made himself to stand upwards and then broke one branch of the tree at one stroke. The birds flew hither and thither in great fear. The walking creatures shouted with joy. After sometimes, the serpent again made himself to stand upwards and then broke down another branch of the tree again. The walking creatures clapped with joy. On the other side, the flying creatures were really panicky and lost hope of winning the war. Among them was the bat who also claimed to be a flying creature because he could fly. But when the chance for the walking creature became brighter, the bat changed sides and went to the ground and said to the walking creature, “Brothers, look at me. My head, my tooth and all appearances resemble you. Therefore, please allow me to join your side.” So saying, the bat defected and joined the walking creatures.
The war was gaining momentum. Even the water-snail was trying to break the legs of a bunting (bird). Small birds were also fighting with earthworms. In this way, each and everyone was involved in the war. All the time, the eagle was studying the war strategy of the serpent began to break the small branches of the banyan tree one after another. So he became completely exhausted. As he was trying to break another branch of the tree, the eagle caught hold of his neck by his sharp paws and flew with him high up in the sky.
On hearing the sad news of the death of their leader, the walking creatures were completely downcast. On the other side, the flying creatures applauded the heroic deed of their leader. On the seventh day, the eagle dropped the bones of the serpent to the ground and the flying creatures were declared to have won the war. After this, a treaty was signed and both sides agreed never to make war again. Knowing that the flying creatures had won the war, the bat flew up and went to the flying creatures, saying, “Brothers, look at me. I can also fly as you do. So I belong to your side.” But alas! The flying creatures treated him as traitor and threw him away. Till to-day, the bat is seen flying only at night because he is ashamed of the walking creatures and the flying creatures goes the Hmar legend.
Source: Lal Dena, Hmar Folk Tales, 1995
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