The Thirst

The couple walked on the mountain. They wanted to cross it and move on to the next one. Not that walking on the mountains was a big effort for them, they were used to taking strolls there, but still one does feel thirsty at times. As did she.

"I am thirsty," the beautiful wife said to probably who would be an equally handsome husband.

Just snow...there was no source of water nearby. The husband thought for a while. His walking pole, which was meant to double up as a weapon in case of any sudden attacks, gave him an idea and he smiled. He had a solution. He could do anything...anything for his darling wife.

He lifted the pole and stuck it on the ground. He knew there would be water underneath. But nothing happened.

"What are you doing?" she asked, intrigued. Her eyes expressed her jestful query.

He smiled but didn't say anything. There was a hint of a wink in his smile. She looked on as he lifted the pole higher and stuck it harder this time. For a moment nothing seemed to happen.Then...

The mountains trembled, somewhere in another distant mountain an avalanche had set off, the ground shook and under the pole the land parted. Soon water seeped out from under the ground, filling up the gap. The gap grew larger and they had to move back to not be engulfed by it. Within a few seconds the gushing water filled up the entire ground there, forming a small lake. He smiled approvingly and turned towards her.

"Water, my lady," he said.

She was enchanted, her smile accentuating her beauty even further. She was known for her beauty and grace. She stepped closer to the shore of the newly formed lake and looked down into the crystal clear water which was magically still. Her pristine beauty shone in the waters of the lake. Her smile, her lips parted in wonder and the twinkle in her eyes sent off the first ever reflection from the virgin lake.

He was happy to see her so pleased with his creation. She drank and they moved on towards their destination leaving the lake behind.

"I think I will call it the lake of beauty because it was your reflection that shone first after it was formed," he said. Parvati glanced and smiled at Shiva as they walked on.

Roopkund was born.