“A Boy Named Ono”
This entry is inspired by a Folktale passed down from one generation to another in the Onge tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is called “A Boy Named Ono”
Long time ago, on a bright sunny days, many kids were playing on the beach and having fun.
However, young boy named Ono was quite skeptical about the bizarre manner in which the shoreline had receded. He happened to recall his grandfather’s words that if he ever sees the beach shoreline recede, he must immediately flee toward high ground as it was indicative of an incoming tsunami.
Unable to convince anyone about the tsunami warning signs and to get them evacuate, Ono was left with no other option.
He gathered a bunch of dry leaves of the coconut trees and bark around him and made a torch and warned his friends that he would set the trees on the cliff on fire. Panicked children and adults ran behind him to stop him.
Once they had made it to the edge of the cliff, Ono paused and looked behind to see the gasping children and villagers. The angry village folks began scolding Ono for his actions. Suddenly due a heavy water noises all the villagers turned their attention to the beach, only to find huge ocean waves wolfing down anything that came in its way. The entire village was devastated in a trice.
That is when everyone understood why Ono had done what he had. Everyone was all praise for his wit and alertness.
True Fact: This folk tale proved worth its weight in gold when the Onge tribe successfully evaded the wrath of the devastating tsunami in 2004. The knowledge imparted by the varying versions of this story enabled the tribesman to identify the warning signs of the natural disaster and make it to the high ground in time.
Source: https://booksameya.in/a-boy-named-ono/
Long time ago, on a bright sunny days, many kids were playing on the beach and having fun.
However, young boy named Ono was quite skeptical about the bizarre manner in which the shoreline had receded. He happened to recall his grandfather’s words that if he ever sees the beach shoreline recede, he must immediately flee toward high ground as it was indicative of an incoming tsunami.
Unable to convince anyone about the tsunami warning signs and to get them evacuate, Ono was left with no other option.
He gathered a bunch of dry leaves of the coconut trees and bark around him and made a torch and warned his friends that he would set the trees on the cliff on fire. Panicked children and adults ran behind him to stop him.
Once they had made it to the edge of the cliff, Ono paused and looked behind to see the gasping children and villagers. The angry village folks began scolding Ono for his actions. Suddenly due a heavy water noises all the villagers turned their attention to the beach, only to find huge ocean waves wolfing down anything that came in its way. The entire village was devastated in a trice.
That is when everyone understood why Ono had done what he had. Everyone was all praise for his wit and alertness.
True Fact: This folk tale proved worth its weight in gold when the Onge tribe successfully evaded the wrath of the devastating tsunami in 2004. The knowledge imparted by the varying versions of this story enabled the tribesman to identify the warning signs of the natural disaster and make it to the high ground in time.
Source: https://booksameya.in/a-boy-named-ono/
