Liani and Friends on a Hillside Village: Tales from the Enchanting Hills, #1

By Lucy Lopes

A spirited prankster, Liani, and her friends live in the enchanting world in Tripura. 
They embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery.

Amidst the mystical landscapes and fascinating cultures, she learns the power of kindness and resilience.

She realizes that the dark desire to win over her rival could bring a humiliating downfall.
And the thrills of defying the rules had unforeseen setbacks creating more struggles to overcome.

Read and experience –

A childhood in a hilly village, Laamdung

Their adventures in the woods

The deep love and bond shared among the friends.

Their struggles and aspirations in the face of adversities.

Take a glimpse of the traditions and culture of the community.

In this book, the author takes you back to memory lane among the beautiful peaks and valleys,
where the forests have plenty to offer, and indigenous people for their simplicity.

Enjoy the journey of life beyond the hustle and bustle of the chaotic world on the hillside village in Northeast India, also called the Seven Sisters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lucy Lopes
• Release date: Jun 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223413813

Book preview

Liani  and  Friends

on  a

Hillside  Village

By

Lucy Lopes

(Zomampuii Lushai)

Copyright © 2023 Lucy Lopes

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Preface

Characters

1.  The Night before Easter

2.  Easter Sunday

3.  The Competition

4.  In the Backyard

5.  A Day with the Birdcatcher Grandpa

6.  Paanch Gutthi - the Forbidden Game

7.  Will Liani Recover?

8.  The Sunday School Teacher

9.  Fun in the Valley

10.  A Mysterious Egg

11.  Confession of the Mischief

12.  The Greedy Neighbor

13.  Beware! The Pond is Haunted

14.  The Avoidable Fall

15.  Bethsy Had Severe Seizures

16.  Harvest Adventure

17.  The Unexpected Danger

18.  Fire in the Market

19.  Exam Days

20.  Christmas Time at Laamdung

Epilogue

About the Author

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my

Dear Grandparents...

The (Late) Pu. Placid Thuamluaia

and

The (Late) Pi. Anna Chhingi

Acknowledgments

Iwant to express my sincere gratitude to my Amazing Family for their unwavering support and encouragement. They gave me the space and time to pursue my passion and achieve my goals.

To Mr. Raju Korti, the Editor of this book, who has been more than just an editor to me. He has been a teacher, guide, and constant source of motivation. Through his unwavering trust in my abilities, I have genuinely come to believe in myself. I am eternally grateful to him.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my mentor, Mr. Som Bathla, and everyone at the Author Freedom Hub. Their support and wisdom have been instrumental in my growth as a writer. I also want to thank Dr. Thomas T. Thomas for his valuable insights and advice on the art of crafting fiction.

I extend a special thanks to Mr. Ranjit Jose for his outstanding cover design that beautifully captures the essence of my book and for formatting it.

I am grateful to my spouse, Mr. Charles Lopes, for his incredible sketches and illustrations that have brought my words to life.

My deepest gratitude to each of you, my friends, readers, and well-wishers. This achievement would not have been possible without your contributions. Thank you for being a vital part of my author journey.

Foreword

Alot is said about the life of people in the hills. For the uninitiated, it is one of pure bliss and quintessentially adventurous; nestled as the hills are in the picturesque lap of nature with an idyll tranquil. A reality check, however, also brings to the fore the tough life its natives lead. Inaccessibility, rough terrain, lack of facilities, and the struggle to make ends meet in the absence of healthy means of economic sustenance are some of the challenges that constantly stare them in the face. What makes the people living in hills, especially those in the North-East is their honesty, simplicity, hard work, generosity, hospitality, and nonchalance tempered with innocent and benign smiles.

In her book Liani and Friends on a Hillside Village – (Book-1 of ‘Tales from the Enchanting Hills Series), the author, Lucy Lopes, stitches a highly absorbing storyline that is an eloquent commentary on the life of people in the hills, especially the impressionable children, who are brought up the hard way in trying circumstances. Through the central character and the protagonist, Liani, she paints these aspects vividly with a broad spectrum of myriad colors that life throws at people in the North-East. Her narration is lucid, fluent, and as uncomplicated and congenial as its inhabitants. For those who have little idea about the trials and tribulations of the people in the hills, there is a lesson to be learned from the story – of resilience, tenacity, and the art of living frugally with a smile that hides their rigors. The story underscores that when everything feels like an uphill struggle, it is the view from the top that makes the climb rewarding.

As someone who has had the pleasure of knowing Lucy for quite some time now – first as a sincere student hailing from Tripura and thereafter as a peer from the noble profession of teaching, I can vouch that she has embroidered the threads of innocence, unyielding struggle, quaint climes to make a compelling study of the people’s psyche in the hills. She guarantees to get the readers’ heart-strings by making them misty-eyed for happy or sad reasons. The pacy and pretensionless style of her writing comes with an assurance that sequels will follow.

I am privileged to write this foreword for Lucy with the earnest hope that this book leaves its imprint and sews the country’s fabric stronger with North-East. More power to her pen.

Raju Korti

(Veteran Journalist, Educationist, Author, Consultant, Blogger, and Counsellor).

Preface

Step into the world of Northeast India and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of this enchanting region through the pages of 'Liani and Friends on a Hillside Village. ’ This novella takes you on a journey through the lives of the children of Laamdung, who live a simple life in a picturesque hillside village.

You will witness the daily struggles and joys of these children, who, despite living in a challenging environment, find happiness in the smallest things and dream big without any inhibitions.

Through the eyes of Liani and her friends, readers can experience the thrills and challenges of daily life in this beautiful yet often misunderstood region of India. From exploring the lush forests and streams of the hills to participating in traditional cultural events, readers can better appreciate the unique customs and traditions that define this vibrant region.

In essence, 'Liani and Friends on a Hillside Village' is an exciting and enthralling adventure that will take you on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Northeast India. The book provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the region's history, culture, and lifestyle and experience the joy and resilience of its people first-hand.

So, come along on this incredible journey and be mesmerized by the wonders of Northeast India.

Characters

1

The Night Before Easter

LIANI'S FATHER, JACOB, was making his nightly rounds when he stumbled upon something that made his heart race. Eek! What's that? he exclaimed as he shone his torch on a mysterious form under the floorboards. He took a step back in fear, not knowing what lurked beneath.

His wife, Martha, rushed out with a lantern, her heart pounding with anticipation. What's going on? Why did you shout? she asked with concern.

Can you see that? That dark shadow over there! Jacob exclaimed, pointing his torch towards the heap.

Martha peered closely, but neither could she make anything of it. 

Not knowing how to react, they waited for a moment.

I must find out what that is, thought Jacob as he mustered the courage to get closer. He flashed the torch straight as he stepped forward, gingerly prodding the object in front with a stick he held in his other hand while his wife followed him cautiously.

Upon looking better, Jacob noticed it was a person, a young girl huddled in a fetal position. That's not a shadow. It's someone curled up, he said.

He approached the child slowly and noticed that her clothes were torn, dirty and her hair unkempt.

Hello, who are you? Can you please look up at me? he asked softly, trying not to startle her.

But the child remained silent and kept her head bowed. The man went closer and placed a gentle hand on her back. He felt a slight shudder run through her frail body, and he knew something was wrong.

As he looked closer, he saw the bruises and cuts on her arms, and his heart sank. What happened to you? Who did this to you?

Don't worry; I'm here to help you. Can you tell me what's wrong? But she continued to whimper and refused to look up.

Who are you? What are you doing here? He asked again, but the figure remained unresponsive. The man prodded her with his stick, hoping to elicit a response. He shone his torchlight on her face, trying to see who she was. But when he finally saw her face, he was shocked to his core.

You! Helen, what are you doing here at this hour of the night? his voice echoed in the dark.

He screamed so loudly that Liani's mother had to intervene to stop him from making more noise lest the neighbors woke up to his screams to create an unwanted commotion.

Helen... you're here, but why? He almost screamed again but took control of his emotion and lowered his decibel. There was neither a word nor movement from the petrified girl. Helen... Helen..., he continued the call, yet no response.

Helen's life was marked by tragedy from a young age. Her grandmother, whom she loved dearly, was the only stable figure in her life. She was the one who gave her warmth and affection and who took care of her daily needs.

However, when Helen turned ten, her world was turned upside down again. Her beloved grandmother passed away suddenly, leaving Helen to fend for herself. She was left in the care of her uncle and aunt, who lived a short distance from Liani's home. Although they were neighbors, their relationship was strained, and the two families rarely interacted.

Helen's uncle was a devious man, and he had erected a strong bamboo fence around their property. This gave off an air of suspicion and exclusivity, making it difficult for outsiders to peek into their house.

Despite her difficult circumstances, Helen remained resilient. She tried to do her best to please her aunt and uncle, taking on the responsibilities of cattle rearing, fetching water, and household chores.

It was heartbreaking to see a child so burdened by obligations and to imagine the kind of life she had to live. Filled with sympathy, the father stretched out his arm, pulled her by the hand, and brought her out of the floorboards.

Take her inside and give her something to eat, he told his wife. She is hungry and weak.

His wife followed his instructions and quickly served the leftover rice, beans, and potato curry in the kitchen. Despite being hungry, every time she attempted to take a morsel of food, she would wince in pain, clutching her face in agony. The injuries on her lips and face were clearly causing her a great deal of discomfort, making it nearly impossible for her to enjoy a simple meal.

Take small bites, eat slowly, and don't be in a hurry. consoled Martha, sitting opposite her.

Helen's little hands were still trembling while she ate. She did not speak but nodded in response as she laboriously munched on the food little by little.

Liani and her brother Hebron were fast asleep, and their father thought it was best not to wake them. He didn't want the children to know of the ill-treatment meted out to their friend by her aunt and uncle.

Moving closer to his wife, Jacob spoke in a whisper. Don't tell the children about this. If Liani knew, it might upset her deeply and affect her performance in the competition tomorrow.

The following day was Easter, the most important Sunday of the year, because various competitions like Psalm Recitation, Narrating Moral Stories, and Hymn Singing competitions were organized for the children attending the Sunday school in their village, Laamdung. The children and the community alike highly anticipated