For generations his people had appeased the mountain devil.
The fact was, they had worshipped it. They prayed to it, offered gifts, made a point of always being nice to it. It seemed to work most of the time, but not so lately. Crops were failing, hardly any rain, and the locusts were particularly bad. This was the state of play before the pending confrontation; before the challenge was taken to the mountain spirit.
It was seen that all this was about to change. The defiance would come from a fit young man, fearless and obviously destined to become a leader. He had already proven himself to be a worthy community member in the eyes of the village elders. So much so, that they sanctioned his bold plan to put an end to the never-ending tyranny from the evil deity that resided in the mountain’s caves.
No more humble compliance. No more doing the fiend’s bidding. He would enter the mountain with demands that the spirit would no longer rule. A new order would be set and those that lived in the fields and valleys below would gain a freedom that they had never known before. When the appointed day came, over a hundred villagers gathered at the foot of the mountain. Almost every member of the community had come to show their respect for what he was about to do and to raise a hearty cheer as he began to climb.
The steep and often stony path was winding and treacherous in parts. Several hours of exhausting effort eventually put him at the gaping mouth of the cave’s entrance. Very few had ever come this far before. With a resolute demeanour he entered. This would not be easy, but his courage and determination would win the day. Those people back in the village had given him the support he needed, and this would enable him to deliver better lives for everyone after today. This would be a great turning point in the life of his village.
When he had gone so deep into the mountain that very little light was still visible behind him, he made his stand. He raised his voice without a quaver. Into the evil blackness he made his demands, loud and strong. For several minutes he made it clear that the mountain devil would no longer ruin the lives of those below.
With his final words he turned to leave.
On his way out, somewhere in the gloom of the cavern he heard sniggering.