"THE BLACK HEN" "Dear villagers!" "His majesty the king will be visiting our village." "-\ big feast will be organised." "Bring your chickens to the village Headman's house, he will pay you a reasonable price." "First time meeting the king?" "His Majesty the King, yes." "But I've met 3 generations of Royal family." "You're old as all that?" "I think Maoists are just using the cease-fire to strengthen their Militias." "Thank you." "Wait!" "Wait!" "Give that to me." "Hey come here!" "Special tea." "Father!" "Why sell the hens?" "Keep quiet!" "Good morning Miss!" "Morning, Suresh." "1 rooster and 3 hens." " Namaste!" "Headman." " Namaste!" "I have brought all my chickens." "When will I be paid?" "Day after tomorrow." "Aren't you happy we buy all your chickens?" "Bring that big rooster up here." "I heard your boss has a cold." "Tell him to make hot rooster soup." "How much do I owe you'?" "P183500." " Hey Uzhyale!" " Yes grandpa." "Pay him right now." "I can bring the money over to your shop today." "Tomorrow is fine with me, Miss." "Hey Suresh!" "Come here." "You fool!" "Playing with guns?" "Let's go." "Hey Kiran!" "Slowly..." "Slowly..." "Hey!" "Have some bread." "I v\/ill hold the hen." "Don't worry." "She's safe with me." "It's the last hen our mother raised." "We should hide her from everybody." "Hey Prakash!" "Come on, let's play." "Prakash!" "Come here." "What happens if father finds out about it?" "I'll tell him that I bought the hen." "Let's hide her." "Where?" "Dear students!" "You are not getting a good education here!" "It must be stopped." "We need a new educational system." "Dear students, parents and teachers!" "We believe that we all should collaborate for a successful revolution." "There's a huge gap between the poor and the privileged." "We want to close this gap and benefit the poor." "Many martyrs have shed blood." "Let it not be in vain." "The good days are not far." "Thank you so much!" "Red Salute!" "Thank you Commander!" "I should get going." "Bijuli, are you coming?" "And you, brewer Kwan'?" "Let's go home." "I'll come later." " Come soon." " Okay." "Uzhyale, Miss!" "Shall I walk you home?" "Thank you Sir Chandra." "I'll walk by myself." "Sister Bijuli, let's go home." "No, it's interesting." "Let's stay." "Let's leave now." "I'm hungry." "Wait a moment." "Dear village!" "During the Dasha/n festival, we are showing Rajesh Hamal and Karishma Manandhafs new film Saathi." "The ticket is only Rs. 100." "Rise up from each village Rise up from each settlement" "So that we can change The face of our country" "Kids, save your money for the film." "Come to the village soon to fix a date for your wedding." " Kiran!" " Yes." "Surbir wants to talk to his fiancée, your sister Uzhyale." "Okay." "Where have you been all day?" "Watching the Cultural program." "Does it do you any good?" "Did they pay you?" "Be careful of Maoists, servant." "They're a threat to children." "Don't let your daughter attend such events!" "Salutations to the Profound Nepalese, Powerful God of the land" "May glory crown forever" "His Majesty Government the King" "May the almighty bless you" "May the subjects increase" "Let every Nepalese wish with joy" "You lost Kiran." "I knew you'd lose." "Come on Suresh." "Once a loser..." "Suresh has won this film poster." "They cheated." "Next time, I'll v\/in." "I know you will, for sure." "Hello sister..." "Why didn't I see you at school?" "Come with me I'll show you something special." "Please tell me, sister." "I have a surprise for you at home." "Let's go." "Sister!" "Hovv should we name this hen?" "It is yours." "So you choose the name." "Hovv about "Karishma"?" "Like the actress." "That's a good name." "Karishma will lay eggs, hatch chicks, we will sell them at the market and use the money for school." "Good." " Sister!" " Yes." "Will you take her when you get married?" "No, she's yours forever." "That's great!" "See!" "Where did you get this hen?" "I bought it with my scholarship money." "That money isn't there to buy the hen." "Don't you need to study?" "I wonder what's going on in your head." "You are not studying nowadays." "Your mind is elsewhere!" "Serve the bread now." "What's wrong?" "My dearest granddaughter is missing." "She hasn't come home." "I heard she was with Bijuli yesterday." "Don't worry!" "I have already sent people to inform the police." "I am sure our children will be back in a few days." "Maoists have already taken 6 from Tuma village, 8 from Dhuma village and 5 from our village including Bijuli." "All together, 19 kids." "Don't worry!" "They kicked me because of my announcement." "Sons of donkeys!" "They should be killed." "You idiot, don't disturb him." "He's studying." "Prakash, what's up?" "Let's sell the egg and see the film." "Kiran, get your butt inside." "Ever seen an egg this big before?" "Wow!" "Sure you want to sell it?" "No, but maybe we'll buy film tickets." "Prakash Nepali, you have a phone call." " What is it?" " I have a phone call." "Can I leave?" "Ok!" "Come right back." "Okay." "Prakash!" "Pick it up." "Hello!" "Sister Bijuli!" "Where are you?" "I'm fine!" "When will you come back?" "During the Dashain festival?" "Ok!" "You know, yesterday Karishma laid an egg." "Father is angry but don't worry." "Hey son!" "Is that Bijuli?" "Give me the phone!" "Hovv could you leave the house and your brother?" "Hello!" "Hello..." "What's wrong with the phone?" "It's beeping." "Hello!" "Hello..." "Hey!" "What are you doing?" "Take that hen outside." "Don't make me slap you." "Bring me the plates." "Son, go to sleep after you eat." "Oh my God!" "Look at your Karishma." "That's not mine." "Let's go check." "Father!" "Where is my Karishma?" "What Karishma?" "My hen." "How would I knovW You're the one who plays with it." "It must be somewhere around, or someone has taken it." "Were you blind when someone took the hen?" "What are you saying?" "Get out of here." "Disrespectful son!" "Hey boys!" "What are you doing?" "Trying to rob me?" "Hovv can you steal my hen?" "You should be ashamed." "I bought it from your father to feed my pregnant daughter." "I have paid R5600." "But grandpa!" "This is Prakash's favourite hen." "Please!" "Give it back." "Your father sold it to me." "You don't know my father." "He sold this hen because it clucks at night." "That's a bad omen." "Whatever!" "I'm not giving it back." "But I'll sell it to you, because I like your honesty." "You have to pay me." "We don't have the money right now." "Then I won't give you the hen." "Keep this R350 for now." "The rest within 5 days." "No, not 5 days." "Bring it in 3 days and I will give you back the hen." " We promise." " Ok." "Ok." "My sister and I, we're raising this hen to pay our studies." "Grandpa, Wait!" "Why?" "Why wait?" "What's your name?" "Tenzing." "What's the name of your village?" "Kimri." "Don't forget your promise." "Now, you'll need to do all the work alone, without your daughter." "Hovv will you manage?" "Your daughter has put you to shame." "What can I do?" "Father!" "Why did you sell my hen?" "I'll tell Bijuli when she gets back." "Give me the money to get it back." "Get out of here, before I break your legs." "Hey, get going, both of you." "It'll be dark soon, you haven't finished the job." "Father, please give me the money." "Why do you need that stupid hen that clucks even at night?" "Dear Brothers and Sisters!" "Only a few days remain before the film screening." "Book your tickets now." "There are only a few seats left." "I repeat!" "Only a few seats are left." "Sir!" "What?" "I need to go home." "What's the problem?" "Grandfather's ill." "Is Miss Uzhyale leaving?" " No just the two of us." " Then leave." " Hey!" " Yes sir." "Show me your class work." "And you?" "Okay, you can go." "Ok everyone, continue your class work." "Uncle, wait." "Kids!" "Sell all the film tickets?" "Poor school children can't buy tickets." "I trusted you kids but I was wrong." "Give me back the tickets." "We sold only one." "Give me money for one." "Just one!" "Give me the money." "We don't have change." "I do." "Give me the money." "Give us our commission." "Don't worry, you can see the film for free instead." "But vve need the money to get the hen back." "Knock it off and be quiet or I tell your grandfather." "My sister left this 200 under my pillow." "This, you stole from your grandfather's prayer room." "It's not enough to get the hen." "What shall we do?" "When is our deadline?" "Day after next." "What are you thinking?" "I'm thinking what to do with this money." "And you?" " Me?" " Yes." "You know." "You're not thinking anything." "I'm thinking hovv to steal more money from grandfather." "What do you mean?" "Don't be mad." "I won't do anything bad." "You'd rather be angry at that jackass, Suresh." "True, but sometimes you hurt me." "I worry about things you say." "Don't worry, I am here for you." "Look, he's here." "Hey!" "Stop that playing." "Kiran!" "Give this tika to the Untouchables outside." "Kiran's father not coming?" "No, stuck at the office." "Work for the government, comply with their rules." "True!" "He'll take you both to the city." "Oh yeah?" "What would the village do without me?" "What if your grandfather finds out?" "I'll just tell him I lost my geometry box." "Want to buy a geometry box?" " You?" " Yes." "I want to buy it." "Do you have the money?" "I'll get money at my uncle's house during Dashain and pay you back." "This isn't Suresh's, no credit here." "It's from the Royal family." "Don't make fun of Suresh." "He's the only one who can afford it." "Why are you being a jerk?" "Get lost." "Why hide beautiful chicks in such a lousy basket?" "Let them play outside." "Why be a smartass'?" "It's none of your business." "Leave my chickens alone." "Can't keep your ovvn hen and you want to lecture me?" "Why get angry?" "Aren't vve friends?" "We are friends." "Then hovv come you seem to forget it?" "When they lay eggs, I'll give you both one." "Give them eggs?" "You go inside." "Didn't you hear me?" "Get inside." "What are you staring at?" "We don't have the money." "So what's your plan?" "We tried our best to get it." "The only way is to ask Tenzing for more time." "No way, forget it, I'm not giving my watch to Tenzing." "Where's the grandpa Tenzing?" "He brought this hen from Karkibada village." "We're asking about Tenzing." "Tenzing brought this hen." "Isn't she beautiful?" "You mean Tenzing is inside?" "Yes." "Grandpa!" "We could only collect R5300." "What?" "I need more money than that, 300 won't do." " Scram." " Please grandpa!" "I don't give a darn." "Please give us a few more days." "We'll find the rest." "Forget it." "I said scram." "If he finds out, he'll skin us alive." "They're all at the monastery." "No, let's find another way." "Think about it, Prakash." "No one's around." "Now, nobody will knovvthis is Karishma." "See, hovv clever I am." "Here!" "Hey Prakash!" "Have you got the meal?" "Yes!" "I made it earlier." "Ok, good." "Look at that!" "Where did you get that hen?" " This hen?" " Yes." "I bought it for R5300." "Where did you get the money?" "Bijuli left it under the pillow when she left." "Then, you should have given me that money." "I got this hen for a cheap price." "Isn't that good?" "Yes." "Seems like a good deal." "That's a good boy." "You did very well." "Look!" "Clucking again!" "Hovv come you and your sister always find cluckers?" "Can't you hear?" "Throw it out!" "Someone put my bag here..." "Go to your row." "You don't sit here." "What's going on?" "Come with me." "You too." "Why are you hiding?" "Let's find Karishma." "This bush has big thorns." "Why should I do it alone?" "Then let's go." "You always have to talk a lot." "Be careful, don't hurt Karishma." "She's here." "I can hear her." "Prakash!" "Can you see her?" "What are you asking me, you idiot!" "Hey!" "Where are you?" "Hurry up." "Did you get her?" "My clothes." "You look cool." "Don't joke." "Hurry up!" " Harder!" " Harder!" "Kiran, where are you going?" "He's the one..." "Where is his friend?" "What's wrong?" "Go inside." "Where is your stupid hen?" "Where did you hide it?" "Take us there." "Where is it?" "I left her here, Maybe somebody took her." "Look at this idiot." "We'll find her soon enough." "Whatever you do, do it fast." "Don't make more trouble." "Just give me my money back." "I promise father!" "I kept her here." "Maybe she flew away." "You are always lying." "You told me the hen was eaten by a jackal." "And in fact you hid it here!" "I v\/ill break your legs!" "One more glass, please!" "You've already had three." "I won't give you more." "What?" "That's not fair." "I brought you a hen that lays eggs." "What about your other debt?" "Please don't let me down." "Just one more glass." "No more for you, you always make trouble." "Ok, this is the last one." "Where is the hen, Jit?" "What hen?" " You have the hen." " Which hen?" "Durga and these kids say you have carrying the hen." "I saw you carrying the hen." "Don't be smart." "What did you see?" "Look." "I found it." " Here, take your hen!" " Why did you colour it black?" "This idiot is to blame for everything." "Troublemaker!" "I'll break your legs!" "Go easy on him..." "Don't hit him that hard." "Where are you going, huh?" "No leaving without paying." "Just keep a tab." "I won't eat and run." "Your grandfather's going to pay?" " I'll pay you later." " Nope!" "Pay it or else I'm keeping you here all day." "Look, the hen thief is here." " Aunty!" " Yes." "Tie your chickens tightly." "Okay, I will." "There's a new thief in town." "Hovv dare you, untouchables, taint my water!" "Didn't you see he tainted my water?" "Hey kid!" "What's wrong?" "Why are you crying?" "Mother!" "Give Prakash some food." "The people have already arrived from the city to show the film." "Come to the school tomorrow evening." "Don't miss your chance." "Hey neighbour!" "Please cover the slogan nicely." "Ok." "Revolution!" "Rights of people to start people war!" "Long live Maoist UCPi" "Hey!" "Take this." "Give him a proper education!" "I'll make him a future hero." "Uncle!" "Take this, grandfather sent it." "Prakash, try this one." "Long live the headman!" "That's more like it." "Who says I can't be cool?" "You need to study well." "Then you will be cool." "Ok, you both carry on." "Hello buddy!" "Namaste, Headman." "Getting ready for the wedding?" "I've got something for you." "I bring you nice fabric." "You know I always sell good quality." "Prakash!" "Take the drums to your father and decorate them." "Yes, go b0)'" "Stop that noise." "Be quiet." "Otherwise you won't understand the story." "Caption's house is at the corner." "And the headman's house is down there." "Next to the peach tree?" "Yes." "Let's make a move." "Prakash, the horse is thirsty, take it to the water tap." "Ok." "Stop the drums." "Mr. Surbir, come." "What do you want?" "We have a small matter with him." "Are you blind?" "Headquarters' order." "But this is a wedding!" "Shut up, come with us." "There's no time for this." " Please!" " Take me instead." "We'll send him back in a few days, it's just for official business." "Don't worry mother." "I'll be back." "This is no time to talk to your mother." "Long live Maoist CPN!" "Hey sister!" "Sister!" "Why are you here?" "Go home." "No, I won't." "Let's go together." "I'll be back, go home." "No way." "Why are they taking Surbir?" "He'll be fine." "Just go home." "You know sister, father sold Karishma." "And I can't buy her back." "Bijuli, you're here too?" "Now I understand." "Comrade, vve must cross before the government finds out." "When'll you be home?" "Dashain." "Take this money for our Karishma." "Promise you won't tell father or anyone else that we met." "I promise!" "Comrade Jvvala!" "Always keep it with you." "This place is no longer safe for us." "You'll have to go to the city." "Your sister Uzhyale and me, we will join you in a few days." "I always told you never to be friends with the Untouchables." "Now you see, your studies are ruined." "So go to the city and get an education there." "Okay?" "Prakash!" "Don't cry, sonny!" "I wanted such a good future for Bijuli!" "But she's dashed my hopes." "Now hovv will I show my face in the village?" "Don't cry, son." "Stop playing with Kiran." "The headman doesn't like it." "Focus on your studies." "You have to fulfil our dream and become the school headmaster." "Now you are my only hope." "Iran into sis..." "Hey boy!" "Hey old man!" "Give me those eggs." "We'll have them with v\/ine." "I had to go to another village to get this little bottle." "Why'?" "Don't you knovW" "Know what?" "The police shut our village shop down." "Really?" "Yes." "They accused the owner of selling goods to the Maoists." "Poor fellow." "So now I'm planning to buy it out." "The whole thing?" "Of course, you expect me to buy half a shop?" "For real?" "Yes." "Hey boy!" "Make some snacks!" "Let him be." "Why is he ignoring me?" "I have some fried potatoes left." "I'll get them for you." "All right!" "Your mother is dead." "You must wear these white clothes for a year." "Mother!" " Namaste, Headman." " Namaste." "Hovv are things?" "Maoists broke the ceasefire and ended the peace process." "We have already started search operations." "Don't worry!" "Hey, old man." "Where is your daughter?" "I don't know sir..." "Nd, do you Know'?" "I don't." "You both go to the same school, right?" "She's coming back for Dashain." "Hovv do you know that?" " She called me." " Do you have her number?" "Old man!" "If you don't bring us Bijuli during Dashain," "I'll throw you both in jail." "Got it?" "Hows your granddaughter sir?" "She's better now." "Prakash, stop!" " You take care." " Have a safe journey, Durga." "Suresh, let's go." "It's really sad that the shop was closed." "Safe journey, my lovely..." "Prakash, wait." "Wait for me." "Why?" "What for?" "I have always supported you and now you are avoiding me." "Is that what friendship means to you?" "Come with me." "Grandpa!" "Give us back our hen." "You boys back here again?" "You little punks!" "When will you stop pestering me?" "Get out of here!" "Here, look!" "We have all the money." "I killed and ate your hen." "Forget about the hen." " You want to wear this watch?" " No." "Take it." "I'll buy a new one in the city." "Sister Bijuli won't come home unless I get the hen back." "What shall we do?" "Don't cry." "I sent that hen to my daughter's house." "Where's that?" "In Serog." "But that's too far to go." "Kiran, can I borrow your horse?" "Tenzing just said it's too far." "Can you manage to go alone?" "However far, I have to bring the hen back." "Maybe they already ate the hen?" "But we don't know that." "I have to find out myself." "Prakash, what am I supposed to do?" "You just go back home." "Please, I want to join you." "Your grandpa will be angry." "This might be the last time we will be together." "So please let's go together." "Want some?" "Let me try it." "I told you not to inhale." "What if ghosts come out?" "Ghosts?" "I would take this stick and whack the ghost like this and kill it." "Don't be scared." "But what if a black bear shows up?" "I'll stare the bear right in the eyes, then slowly turn around, and run away without showing fear." "You coward!" "What if Maoists point a gun at you?" "Don't talk about those creeps." "I feel so bad for my sister Uzhyale." "What if they don't let Surbir go?" "Have some." "Hiccups." "Your grandpa must be thinking of you." "I'll go get some water." ""Wishing you a happy festival of Dashain." ""Don't forget me." ""From Durga."" "Can you teach me to talk in English too..." "What happened?" "The black bear scratch your eye?" "You idiot." "What bear could ever kill me?" "Bring me some healing herbs!" "Ow!" "That hurts." "Don't die!" "I'd be lost without you!" "Why are you still here?" "Go on!" "Idiot, you want me to die here?" "Where are you heading?" "To Serog, sir." "Why are you going to Serog?" "To fetch a hen." " What do you have with you?" " Nothing, sir." "What's that?" "Cigarettes, sir." "Sir!" "Give them back." "Why do you go to Serog?" "A Shaman said to get my sick grandpa a hen." "Do you realise hovv dangerous it is?" "Get their names." "They can go." "What is your name?" "My name is Suresh Khatri." "Address?" "Karkibada VDC, Ward No.1." "And yours?" "Birey Nepali, sir." "Address?" "The same, sir." " Uncle, uncle!" " Yes." " Do you know the way to Serog'?" " Yes." " Can you take us there?" " No." "Please help us." "We are lost." "No." "Uncle, chewing gum?" " Uncle!" " Yes." "Do you know Tenzing's daughter?" "No." " Uncle!" " Yes." "Don't you say anything except yes or no?" "No." "Uncle, take this watch." " Uncle?" " Yes." " Are there Maoists in this forest?" " Yes." "Maoists, I'll sprinkle chili in their eyes." "Don't say that." "My sister Bijuli joined the Maoists." "See..." "I ran into Bijuli when the Maoists took Surbir away." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I was scared you'd get angry." "Think I'm happy novW" "You betrayed me, when I've come so far for you." "Grandpa was right." "Never trust Untouchables." "Too bad your grandpa wasn't abducted instead of Surbir." "You son of a bitch," "I'll break your legs." "Stop fighting like dogs." "Aren't you best friends?" "Stop!" "Stop!" "I know it's not easy!" "My son was killed in this war, Maoists or..." " What are you doing?" " Quiet!" "I want to go home." "Let's wait a while." "We'll find some food and then go back." "Just be patient." "What about our Karishma?" "Forget about it." "Whatever happens will happen." "What?" "You're a liar!" "You brought me here just to forget it?" "We could have died." "Son of a bitch." "You ruined my life for Karishma." "I hate you." "Stay away." "Get away!" "I'll go and get Karishma back myself." "Hey, didn't you hear, I am hungry!" "Stupid monkey." "These are such nice chicks." "Your dream has come true." "Have you gone mad?" "Poor chicks." "They need to be with their mother." "Let them be." "This is Radio Nepal." "Now the headlines by Han' Sharan Lamichhane." "Government set to declare state of emergency from today." "His Majesty's government has mobilised the Royal Nepal Army against the Maoist forces." "Ferocious attacks launched in various districts. 64 killed." "The US Government has declared the Maoist party a terrorist organisation."