Preface and Introduction
Märchen of Newer Days
-by Dibyasree Nandy
This book is dedicated to my close friend, Somshree Banerjee, who loves fantasy just as much as I do.
Preface
Märchen is the German word for ‘fairy tale’. I have used the phrase ‘newer days’ in the title to indicate that this story contains elements that are not usually seen in a fable beginning with ‘once upon a time’; for instance, LGBTQ themes. In fact, in the modern age, I shouldn’t even have to place a label on such aspects. People are free to love whoever they please; it such so happens that the subject of their affections belong to the same gender. What’s wrong with that? Usually, fairy tales can only ever have a happy ending, however, there are two epilogues for this tale. But I have actually written one, the cheerful ending. The tragedy is there for all to see, so I decided to not pen it down.
Originally, I chose to write this since my cousins were getting bored and restless sitting at home during the lockdown period of the Covid-19 pandemic period. However, I realized later, that they wouldn’t have read it anyway. They’re happier with social media and mobile apps. This made me very upset and so I stopped writing it. Months after, I thought, ‘why allow it to collect dust?’ And thus, this märchen was born.
-Dibyasree Nandy
Book 1: Legend of the Golden Beast
A world in which the sky and the ocean are reversed.
A blue sea is seen when people gaze upwards.
People, beasts and birds reside on the planet-like colourful orbs that float amidst the clouds in the sky.
Entire nations are present upon these little planets.
Unicorns of various hues with transparent wings carry people from one planet to the other.
Not a single drop of water accidentally falls onto these nations from the vast ocean above.
Should anyone require water, all they need to do is carry a vessel, ride their individual unicorns and visit the numerous streams that sometimes loop around the clouds like a Ferris Wheel and at times seem to slither like a serpent as they drift from one cloud to the next, resembling a helix.
This world has neither the Sun nor the Moon. Light emanates from the rings around each planet. The rings glow bright for a while and they grow dim after that.
Night and Day are determined according to the alternate radiance and darkness of the rings. ‘Day’ is called ‘Ringlight’; ‘Night’ is known as ‘Lightless’.
The largest planet is the one in which the King lives.
His castle is named the ‘Palace of All Colours’, and his nation is called ‘The Other End of the Rainbow’.
All the other nine nations are vassals of the Esteemed Emperor of Great Valour.
