STORY: Abang Aku

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c_nordlander
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STORY: Abang Aku

Post by c_nordlander » Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:01 pm

(Some of you have already read this one on my Patreon page or LiveJournal.)

A short fantasy story based on the Malay legend of a creature called the Á Bao A Qu, or Abang Aku (I think the latter is the more correct form: it means "my elder brother" in Malay), as told by Borges in "The Book of Imaginary Beings". It sleeps as an invisible, formless little being on the first step of the Tower of Victory in Chittorgarh, and only wakes up when a human tries to climb the tower. The creature ascends behind the human, slowly growing and becoming more complex and beautiful the higher it gets, waiting for the moment when they reach the top of the tower and achieve enlightenment. But the human always falters because of their attachment to the material world, and the Abang Aku falls back to its place at the bottom of the tower to wait for the next climber.

All criticism is of course greatly appreciated.

Note: a dhoti is an Indian man's garment covering the legs.
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Pretty little baby
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon


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missy_misery
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Re: STORY: Abang Aku

Post by missy_misery » Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:41 pm

Enormously powerful, I love the chilly darkness of your work!
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