The Great Fall

Amina lived all by herself in a village on the Eastern Canarian islands. Occupying a thatched cottage overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, she would often be seen sitting in her courtyard tending to her goats or reciting tales to the village children. None in her vicinity could tell how old she was. Some would joke that she could be as ancient as the island itself. Amina’s visage, wrinkled with age could not however enshroud her eyes, which were a beautiful hazel colour and wore an enigmatic twinkle about them.

Amina, a scarf tied about her head, usually garbed in dark robes with a beaded necklace adorning her neck, presented a curious image to the children. Often they could be seen flocking about her, begging her for a story telling session, and she would almost always comply. Her vast treasure trove of tales seemed to never get exhausted. Addressed as Baba by one and all in the village, her years would be simply forgotten as she would be narrating a story animatedly to the eager and upturned little faces. One of these wonderful fables that left an indelible imprint upon the young minds was the story of a once great and now lost civilization- the story of Atlantis. Baba had retold the tale to the children of each generation that had grown up before her. So expressively was it told each time that the audience could almost see the beat of the great city of the past in their minds. Baba in her deep and impressive voice would begin thus-

“There was once a great island civilization in the midst of the Mediterranean sea, off the coast of South West Morocco. Known by the name of Atlantis, this island nation was fabled to have been built half by Gods and half by humans.

It was known as the nerve centre of trade amongst the nations bordered by the Mediterranean, dealing in exotic wares such as potteries and rare gems, metals such as gold and silver, spices and other fineries. Its forests contained remarkable wildlife and rare plants that could be used to treat several life threatening diseases.

It had a mighty naval base, feared and envied by many a neighbouring nation which proved invincible in case invaders attacked while in terms of an engineering and architectural marvel, it was a sight to behold, with the most advanced technologies of the time being put to use in building it. The residents here prospered and lived contented lives. The great Atlantis was a true jewel that sparkled magnificently where it was believed that the Sun would never set.

However, hubris is something that often destroys even the greatest and mightiest of nations and people and it was this very malady that had struck the hitherto Utopian civilization of Atlantis. Vices such as avarice, vanity and dishonesty had gripped the populace. It so happened that if shortage of food was detected in a neighbouring country then the merchants from Atlantis, taking undue advantage of it would sell crop produce to such a country at exorbitant prices, raking in more profit in the process but making the buyers wretched than ever.

 Now, the nation was governed through democracy, with a well-organized voting system empowering the people to choose their leaders. This very well made Atlantis a pioneer in the democratic form of governance. It was decided by the ruling party that a huge Amphitheater be built in the midst of the isle. This Amphitheater would signify the might of the nation of Atlantis, besides providing a common ground for housing various activities of entertainment for the public. An elaborate plan was drawn up. To symbolize the rich flora of Atlantis, several thousand trees were downed to supply for lofty gates and walls of the building, which would later on be carved upon in gold with exquisite and intricate patterns. The theatre was built in just a year’s time and comprised of several hundred rows to accommodate the entire city nation. It was indeed a marvel of architectural and engineering genius, truly epitomizing the impressive strength of Atlantis.

On the day of its inauguration, a grand celebration was organized. A feast that saw the finest varieties of meat, wines and fruits being served and attended by the masses all garbed in glittering raiment, entertaining performances by talented and beautiful women who could almost rival the muses of heaven marked the revelry that day. Further, every citizen was gifted with a silver locket delicately engraved with the outlines of the amphitheater. The day would have gone down as the greatest celebratory day in the history of Atlantis for sure, had not fate intervened in an unlikely fashion.

Night had drawn over the island. Most of the residents had retired for the day, the merrymaking of the day having exhausted them immensely. The weather had been perfectly fine throughout the day. Yet a sudden huge wave arose out of the sea. The guards, noticing it, began tolling the bells for alerting the city. However, the rogue wave, though gigantic was terribly quick. It had the appearance of a monster rising out of the water- fluid and a juggernaut. No amount of alerts could have saved the great Atlantis that day. The terrible wave struck big and strong, creating a water deluge that swept off almost everything. Many of the citizens had not even a notion of the danger that arrived and destroyed swiftly as they lay in peaceful slumbers.

A handful of fortunate survivors, with nothing but only the clothes they had donned at the time escaped to the nearby nations. Thus came the end of Atlantis- a civilization that was meant to rise further. It was said that the Heavens had turned unhappy at the defilement of the people of Atlantis and had decided to punish them.”

As Amina would finish yet another retelling of her tale, the atmosphere around her would be rife with suspense. The children would as if be sitting in a trance- perhaps imagining a huge monster of a wave gushing towards a sparkling city- which would only be broken after Baba would clear her throat, signifying the finale of her tale. And after each narration of the Great Fall of Atlantis, Baba would retire to her cottage and draw out an ancient silver locket etched with the outlines of an eloquent and splendid amphitheater, gazing at it wistfully.