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Far faraway in the town of Jumblepore lived a boy called Rohan. He loved listening to stories. His favourite story was the one told by his dadima about a magical place called Zhongrila. Zhongrila, it was said, was full of precious stones of different kinds, and of treasures few men had ever seen. Rohan really longed to see Zhongrila. But deep down, he was not sure if it was not just a fairy tale.
Zhongrila, full of golden stairs and silver fountains Maidens sit in orchards laden with fabulous fruits, Near a glimmering lake, playing their magical lutes Only good children can see Zhongrila soon For dal and a roti, I can take you there by noon" "Thank you, Rohan", the minstrel replied, "My name is Hothal, the wandering minstrel." Rohan wondered how he knew his name. Hothal continued, "I will show you how to go to Zhongrila." After the meal, Hothal spoke, "That was delicious. I know that you have been a good boy. But the path is dangerous and full of evil. Only children who have been dutiful and obedient reach there." "I am prepared," Rohan said. "Close your eyes," Hothal commanded. Rohan closed his eyes and felt as if he was floating. When he opened his eyes, he was in a different land. The sky was a bright purple. The trees were bigger than anything he had seen in Jumblepore. Fluorescent butterflies and musical birds flew around him. Ahead on a path of cobbled stones, he saw a sign that said: Zhongrila 7 Tasks Away. That was strange! In Jumblepore, distance was written in kilometres. Clearly, this place was different.
Trapped are bewildered beasts, can they be freed? From the Rhyming Dragon's evil, a spell that he cast The boy from the other world, is he the one, at last? It was clear that he was meant to come to this place and help these poor animals find their voices. But how? And who was singing this song? Suddenly, the trees shook and the leaves were scattered. And, a fierce dragon as high as a 3-storey building flew and stood in front of Rohan. "Who are you?" Rohan asked. The dragon replied: Lord of the jungle and the rhyming pen Tell me a good rhyme, or else you will see Your voice quite changed, sounding like a bee" Rohan was scared. The dragon was truly a terrible sight. Every time he breathed out, fire shot out of his nostrils. He felt like going back home but he hesitated when he thought of the poor animals in the cages. Then he sang: This, a difficult challenge that you throw Give the cow back its moo, the lion its roar, The elephant with no trumpet is a big bore The parrot can chirp away to its fabled freedom And me back to my path, boring and humdrum Oh, please return the voices of these poor beasts If with my rambling rhymes, you seem pleased "Wonderful, dear boy!" grunted the Rhyming Dragon. "I will restore their voices with great joy!" And so he did and flew away. The animals were released from their cage. The lion roared, the cow mooed, the elephant trumpeted, and the parrot chirped. But the Rhyming Dragon had given them an additional power. They could speak like humans if they wanted to. All the animals spoke together, "Thank you for removing the spell. We will join you on your journey." Rohan was overjoyed. He had made four new friends in this new place. Now it was time to continue on the journey to Zhongrila.
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