Episode Two
The mind really plays games with us, and we believe in what we see, whether we actually see it or not. This can be explicated with my following story.Jason was a recluse. Well there is nothing wrong with that. He was just a bit too matured for his age, so he did not socialise much with his peers and found solace with older people.
He enjoyed reading and history fascinated him. He regularly visited the museum and the library attached with the same wing of the museum. This library was exclusively for historians and dealt with the past glory of all the artefacts that were on display.
On a bright sunny day Jason decided to see the museum again and read something new on the Aztec Warriors. He went to the main room and found the Aztec Warriors shifted to some other section.
"Why have they been moved?" asked Jason to the old curator Mr Green. Mr Green had been the curator for many years. Actually it was his house which turned to a museum when he had no money to maintain his expenses. So the Governor allowed him to stay in his house and allowed him to be the curator to look after it.
" We are having new guests here, " said Mr Green showing a lot of excitement in those grey old misty eyes.
"We haven’t had any new display in ages, what could be now ?, some new pottery or is it paintings?" enquired Jason.
"Ah, no lad, it’s a Mummy. The well known Egyptologist Prof. Habib has decided to donate his new findings to our museum."
Just then a man in Khaki breezed in and snapped at Mr Green, "Well Green, I thought I told you that the museum should be closed until I find a suitable place for our new house guest?"
"But it is professor", said Mr Green.
"Then who is this?" Pointing his finger at Jason.
"Oh, Green said with a chuckle " this is our new security and helper for the house guest."
Jason’s mouth opened but could not utter any word. He was so amazed and happy that Mr Green had given him such an opportunity. He smiled at Mr Green and Green acknowledged him with a nod.
" Well I have no time for introductions, where is the place you have decided?," asked Prof Habib, ignoring Jason. "No No this place is much too small. There are too many displays here. I want a room exclusive for the Mummy. After all it’s one of its kind. I want it displayed separately." Poor Mr Green fumbled for a minute perplexed as to what should be done.
Jason did not like the arrogant behaviour of the Prof, so he said," We will open a new wing for Egyptian artefacts after a week till then we will have to put the coffin in the library"
So it was decided. The huge wooden box was taken to the library in a secluded corner where no reader would pry into it. When the wooden box was opened they found a beautifully crafted casket, inside it lay "The Mummy".
The mummy was all wrapped up except some parts, like the palms of the hand, the toes, and the eyes. It had cold beady eyes as if they were tired. It wanted to sleep but something kept it awake, staring at something, or was it just looking at nothing.The long bony grey fingers, looked very creepy.
Prof. Habib and Jason would look after it and take turns until it was to be opened for the public. Jason was very excited, he wanted to explore and see more of the mummy closely, but the Prof insisted that the external air was bad and should be kept shut at all times, until an air tight glass box was designed for display. Well the professor’s words did not dampen Jason’s spirits so brought out books on Egypt and started reading on the embalming processes.
Late that night, after dinner the Prof finally broke the silence and started chanting some words from some encryptions. He had some kind of leaves in one palm and rest he was in a copper bowl. Jason was dozing but this activity woke him up.
"What are you doing?" Jason asked."
"This is an ancient secret, I will tell you if you promise not to share it with anyone," whispered Prof. Habib.
He continued, "I have the powers to wake up the dead and I will wake this Mummy who will take me to his burial ground and tell me where his kingdom and riches lie."
Jason was sceptical, but still continued watching. The chanting was a bit louder now, and with the stillness of the night it sounded drearier. Now the Prof. burnt those leaves. After gazing for a while Jason lost interest and fell asleep.
Suddenly he woke up with a creaking sound, what was it ,Jason thought in his mind. In front of him the casket slowly opened. So slow that almost the movement was negligible. Then those fingers moved, then his head moved and now the Mummy stepped out of the casket. Jason froze with fear.
He was standing face to face with history of the Ancient Egyptians but somehow he could not rejoice. He was frightened, he never believed such a thing, what should I do? I should find the professor, this thing is inhuman. He was trying to overcome his fear in his mind. As he tried to turn to run away, he tripped over something, and fell to the ground. He had tripped over Prof. Habib. All this created a state of panic in Jason’s mind and he faded into the darkness.
When he woke up Mr Green was bending over him and the police surrounded him.
Jason explained his story that the Mummy had come alive, and had attacked the Prof. and in his fear he fell and passed out. Did anyone believe Jason’s story?
Jason later learned that the museum was ransacked of all its precious artefacts, and the professor was missing. After a month the professor was caught and was in custody. He confessed of stealing the artefacts for his personal collection. But when questioned as to confirm Jason’s story, he only laughed.
Till today the Mummy stands in the museum, but Jason never goes to the museum. He knows what he saw was true, but the secret still lies with "The Mummy."
