Folktales help children connect with their cultural roots by transmitting shared values, traditions, and collective memory across generations. We present a folk tale excerpted from Bird Folktales of Meghalaya for Children by Glenn C Kharkongor with Illustrations by Balaiamon Kharngapkynta & Careen Jolin Langstieh (Martin Luther Christian University Press, 2024)

Once upon a time, in the Garo Hills, lived a woman named Timbori.

One day, she went into the deep forest to collect firewood but unknowingly wandered into the domain of the evil spirit, Khatchi Rangshi.

The evil spirit cursed her, and Timbori discovered that she was with child. Soon she gave birth to a lovely girl and named her Giting Dinge.

One day while playing with a friend on the magical beach that belonged to Meena Rongdingpa, another spirit, something strange happened. Giting Dinge suddenly sprouted a leaf on her head and a root grew from her foot into the soft sand. She screamed in fear, but no one could help her as she was rooted in the ground and surrounded by dark magic. The young and beautiful Giting sadly accepted her fate, and over time grew into a full banyan tree.

Many years passed, Timbori watched Giting grow into a majestic banyan tree and felt that Giting was old enough to get married. One day, Timbori gently spoke to Giting about marriage.

“Dear child, you are already so beautiful, but do you know what would add to your beauty? An array of birds-elegant cormorants, magnificent hornbills, and graceful cranes would flock to you to seek shelter in your graceful branches”.

But all of this will happen only if you have a husband. you Would you like to marry Salae Salake, the sun spirit?”

“But mother, if I were to marry the sun, my long hair would get burned and turn red, and my spine will bend. No, mother, I do not want to marry the sun spirit.”

“What about Jaru-Meh-a Jabalphanthe Okkhuagsi Jahpatchongsi, the wind god?”

“If I were to marry him, I would end up becoming all twisted and bent. No, dear mother, I will not be happy with him.”

“What about Sretonggitchak Gitokwahrikkat, the powerful fire god?”

“If I were to marry him, I would be burnt to ashes. No, dear mother, I cannot marry him.”

“All right, what about Banggriajimpa Chonggri Khaljimpa, the mighty earthquake god?

“If I were to marry him, I would always be trembling in fear of my life.”

Finally, Timbori suggested Airokrak Wachitoktak, the rain god, as a good match for Giting Dinge.

“Mother, this is perfect. I will happily marry the gentle Airokrak Wachitoktak.”

Their wedding was a grand celebration, filled with joy and blessings. Whenever Airokrak visited Giting Dinge, the land was blessed with abundant rain, bringing fertility and growth. News of their beautiful union spread far and wide, attracting birds from all corners of the earth. They gathered around the banyan tree, enjoying the harmony between the rain god and the banyan tree girl.

Among them was a curious scaly thrush named Dohsurae, who was jealous of the rain god and wished to make the beautiful Giting his own, even though she was already married to Airokrak. But the bird master, Salgra, discovered his disrespectful intentions, and cursed Dohsurae.

“You will dwell in the dark depths of jungle ravines, seeking shelter under the small bushes and shrubs.”

Immediately, Dohsurae and his descendants were transformed into small, tiny birds and became known as “event-tellers” among the Achiks. They flew through the jungle, whistling and tweeting news of calamities, bringing bad tidings, unlike other birds that announced happier seasons.

Despite the curse, Giting Dinge Rane Dingje remained a magnificent banyan tree, her branches reaching towards the heavens, with her roots connected to the earth. She and the rain god had many descendants, spreading all over the land wherever the monsoon rains fell.