The Deadly Conch by Mahtab Narsimhan

he said. “Layla is being mean to poor Tara. She is unhappy and so she calls on the god of death to take away the problem. Is that it? I am very disappointed in you! Return my conch immediately. You will never summon me again.”
    â€œNo!” said Tara. “No, it’s not like that at all. It’s just that … please let me explain, Lord. You’re scaring me and I’m not able to think straight. It might also help if you stopped glaring at me.”
    Tara wrung her hands, looking up at Lord Yama, wondering if she had gone too far. Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed. “Tara, you haven’t lost your spirit, I can see that. It’s what makes you so endearing and allows you to get away with admonishing the Lord of Death, whom most mortals fear to set eyes upon.” He slid off the bull, rested his mace against a tree and sat on a rock. “Does this meet with your approval?” He said it very seriously but his eyes were smiling.
    Tara sat at his feet and poured out the whole story, starting with Kali and Zarku and working her way up to Layla’s antics. When she fell silent, Lord Yama got to his feet and paced. The bull stood patiently to one side, flicking its tail now and then to drive away the incessant flies.
    â€œHmmmm,” said Lord Yama. He stopped, looked at Tara, and resumed pacing again. Under her, the forest floor trembled.
    Tara followed him with her eyes, a million questions fighting to burst out of her mouth. But she held them in. First, Lord Yama had to decide whether he was going to help her or not. But he had to , she prayed silently. He must!
    Finally Lord Yama sat on the stone once again. “Tara, I have given this a lot of thought. I understand your pain. There are people in this world who, like Layla, bring misery to all who know them. But Lord Brahma, the Creator, had a reason for putting them there and I cannot go against him, against nature, and take away their life without just cause. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    â€œBut, Lord, what if the person is really evil, and, through her actions, more lives are lost? Is it not right then to take one life and save countless others?”
    â€œA very good argument, Tara, but I still cannot do what you ask of me. As I said, I can only take away the soul of a dead person. I cannot and will not kill them. I’m sorry but I cannot help you.”
    Tara gazed at him, angry and disappointed. How could he talk of rules when this one child could destroy Morni? He had to help her and she knew what she had to do next. She had hoped she wouldn’t have to use that argument, but she had no choice.
    â€œYou promised to dispose of Zarku’s ashes, which my grandfather, Prabala, sealed in an urn,” said Tara. “How did it fall into Kali’s hands? Because of it, Zarku was able to come back. He almost killed my brother and we lost Rohan. You’re responsible for his death, Lord Yama.”
    Deafening silence returned. Lord Yama sprang to his feet and towered over Tara, glaring at her. She met his gaze, trying not to flinch or look away. Whether he liked it or not, it was the truth!
    â€œHow dare you blame me!” said Lord Yama. The air around them crackled with anger. “Yes, I said I’d dispose of Zarku’s ashes, but one of my helpers slipped up. By the time he came to collect the urn, it was gone.”
    â€œI’m not blaming you, Lord,” said Tara. “Merely pointing out the truth of the matter. If you cannot help me, then tell me who can. I have to stop Layla somehow, even if I have to kill her myself!”
    â€œBe careful of what you say, Tara. Taking someone’s life is a serious matter, especially if that someone is a child! You will end up in the Underworld from where there is no escape. For eternity.”
    â€œThen what am I supposed to do?” shrieked Tara. “Watch this child destroy my family? Morni? Everyone I love?