The Fable

Dev, try this jam.

I'm going out, Ni, ask Juju? His tongue is better than mine.

- Morning, sir. - Good Morning, Manju.

Juju! Is a leopard chasing you?!

Good morning.

Spring of 1989.

A time no one can forget.

35 years have since passed in these Indian Himalayas.

These timeless mountains have witnessed an eternity.

But for all of us who worked there in the Theen-Pahad Orchards

our lives changed forever.

- How long are you home from school? - The entire summer break!

Surprised?!

You've gone nuts? Looks like college has made you quite mad!

- Shyamji, why didn't you call? - She told me to keep shut.

Hello Manju da!

You're here finally.

No worries, I'll carry it.

Vanu, you look good. Did you ask Shyam ji not to call?

Yes!

- Where did you call him from? - Hostel phone.

Where's the brat?

Vanu, you must be hungry. I'll make you breakfast?

Not hungry, Mumma! Where's dad?!

Mumma, sing please?

It's been a while.

And I'm getting quite lost in the crickets.

You can do a harmony.

Ok, which song?

Jhim jhim?

Sing Shivoham! I love that one.

Shivoham...

I am not the mind,

nor the ego.

I am not my five senses,

my eyes, ears or my touch.

I am not made of space, or the earth,

nor of fire nor wind.

I am pure, eternal bliss.

I am He, the spirit of Shiva.

I am pure, eternal bliss.

I am He, the spirit of Shiva.

Our apples will be plentiful this season!

Good morning!

Have all the goods arrived?

Pesticide spraying starts tomorrow.

We'll start with the North Wing, and finish all four wings in a month.

The others are on their way?

Warm welcome to all new and old workers.

You all have our trust.

You have to mix 10ml of pesticide in 20 litres of water.

As the Manager, it was my job to train all the workers.

This 5000 acre fruit orchard spread across three whole mountains

was the largest orchard of the time.

We grew apples, peaches, apricots, and plums.

Dev Sir had inherited the orchards from his grandfather,

who was gifted the property after decades of service to the British during the colonial period.

Every March, the orchards would bloom.

By May, the trees would be so full of fruit, that even the air would smell sweet.

This was a place of harmony.

Childhood was filled with joy.

There was no difference between anyone, regardless of their background.

The silent white peaks would watch from a distance,

whispering their secrets to whoever would listen.

Every morning I opened the door towards those mountains.

We believe that the mountains aren't just a part of this earth,

but a sacred land, with an ancient soul.

Every tree, every plant was like a child to us.

And we felt proud seeing them grow

bigger and stronger every year.

This was a peaceful land

but the minds of men

need just the slightest nudge.

Plant the spring onions in a line.

- Like this, ma'am? - Yes.

Alex, Jack come!

Ju, where is Dad?

Where's Manju the gardener. I wanted help with the saplings!

He's horse riding with Vanya.

If you see them, ask him to come here quickly.

Alex! Jack!

Swooping is the most fun.

When you dive straight down, your tummy is full of butterflies.

I don't want butterflies inside my tummy!

It's not real Juju, it's just a feeling.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, a hawk came again today.

He was sleepy, but I was sleepy too, so it was okay.

Invite him for dinner tomorrow!

I think he has other plans.

Tell him I'm asking.

Go ask him yourself!

- Ju, where are you going? - I'm going to A-block!

But I'm going to D-block!

- Don't let them jump on the porch furniture! - Got it!

Dev, so late!

Juju! Come fast.

Bring a pencil sharpener from your room.

- Tea still hot? - Should be warm.

What happened?

One of the trees seem sick.

Need to prune off the bad branches. It'll probably recover.

The sharpener is not here. I'll bring the blade?

Check the drawer.

I checked, Mumma. It's not there!

Bring the blade, then.

Nice.

Dad, are you going to the outhouse?

Depends on who's asking.

Show me the new wings?

Excuse me, madam. Scoot!

They look a lot like the last pair. Just wider and narrower.

Well, I used to have two layers of feathers,

but now I have three more tightly packed.

It has helped increase the lift.

I managed to make them lighter. I used to use elm earlier

You were up much higher too!

- Is that because of the feathers or the wood? - A bit of both.

It feels much more natural this way... but it's not perfect.

These new ones depend quite a lot on the wind.

What if the wind changes and you wobble and hit a tree?

Come on.

Come on, Scarlet. Let's go.

He was not saying anything and I heard his voice

inside my head!

Yes, exactly!

I didn't knowingly close my eyes, it just happened!

I swear to God, I just melted!

I think I see one there

next to Betelgeuse?

- Where? Below it? - There.

I can see it clearly, it can't be the faintest star.

What about that one there? Just below Venus.

I don't see anything!

Ju, don't make it up.

Where's Vanya?

She said she's coming.

Vanya!

Coming.

- Have you agreed on the faintest? - What were you doing?

Nothing important.

- Wow. They are bright today! - The sky opened up.

It's all about the clouds?

It's not about the clouds, it's about the changing season.

Nothing's happening. Enjoy it.

Look! I got one!

Right there!

Stop! Stop!

Dev Sir just called me. He wants you at D-Block.

- Now? - Immediately!

- Sir? - It's just these five trees.

But there's no fire in the pine trees above.

A few days ago,

this tree was already burnt.

But then...

I didn't tell anyone. I wanted to wait and watch.

I see.

Mohan...

Does anyone in Mool Gaon still have a problem with our pesticides?

Not at all! Even the elders of Mool Gaon accept the pesticides now.

And I really don't think anyone has the guts to...

I mean...

Is anyone angry about anything?

No Sir. Everything is fine.

Good afternoon, sir.

Ganesh?

- Finished the area above J-block? - Yes, sir.

Good afternoon, sir.

All good?

Why don't you pour yourself some?

- I don't think so. - Really?

- More? - Enough!

It's the path that I enter the orchard from, Doc.

I think whoever is doing it

chose those trees because they want me to see.

Then it's probably someone who knows you, because they need to know your path.

True.

But it isn't the hardest thing to find out.

Dinner is ready.

Himanshu, "Rhododendron". Can you say it?

Rhodo - dendron.

Rhododendron.

Let's go!

Hey! Wait!

- Ju! - Where you off to?

Look at that.

Daddy!

- Get out. - What're you doing?!

Mumma, give me some!

- Don't be on the phone! - Ju this will fall!

Sis!

Not today! Not in this room!

Hi Alex! Hi Jack!

- Manju da! - Juju.

Can you stand on one foot?

Now salute!

Oh my god! I think it's a leopard!

There's a leopard!

Hi...

New faces? They were looking at the house!

New workers of the Gupta Estate.