A creative story by Gauri (The Fortune Cookie)

The Fortune Cookie

Prologue:

It all started like this~

"Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You must leave the city immediately and never return."  That’s what the fortune cookie said. My heart skipped a beat!

The letters were written in black ink on blood red paper. I glanced around looking for some eyes that would answer my questions but none did. Then suddenly I saw a black smother in the front glass panes near the restaurant’s entrance. My eyes soon recognized the black smother, as it re-appeared slightly peeking from the glass pane. It was the man in black! The one who always kept his eyes on me whenever I was out of my house. I had wondered why that man was always there? A few times I even mustered the courage to go talk to him, but he, as always, would wander away before I could catch up to him. It was a secret that I was not willing to share with my parents or close friends. “The man in black” as I had nicknamed him because he was always wearing a pitch black blazer and lead black trousers. Only his desolated grey eyes where not the color of licorice. I quickly got up from my seat my blinded from reasoning by the blindfold of curiosity. I sprinted towards the door leading me out of the Chinese restaurant.

I followed him through the bustling crowd. Making sure he did not notice me. I was so close now shuffling through the crowd fast but silently. Suddenly, his head turned and his eyes met mine. I saw my pale reflection in them, my brown long hair scattered on my face, my green eyes alert, my mouth wide open. He turned and ran, ran straight out of my sight. I quickly regained my senses hurdling through the crowd out of the door.

I saw him running towards the next block, he was way swifter than I imagined. He was not as grizzled as I imagined either his grey eyes made me think that he was old and lonely but I had never seen his face because it was always covered with his mouth high collar. The only things that I ever saw were his eyes, sorrowful and strained. I ran straight towards him zigzagging through the pedestrians on the sidewalk. I turned to the next block where the “Man in black” had run, but I saw no sign of him. I had lost him again. My curiosity flattered and my mouth became a frown against my face. Without warning two hands stretched across my face covering my eyes and mouth. A slight scream escaped my mouth, but it was too muted that nobody could have heard it. After that I remembered nothing!

My eyes slowly opened, my vision blurry from tears. Sweat was dripping from my pale white forehead. My eyes were bulging painfully against my skull. I was sitting in a faded brown chair, my arms resting carefully on the arm rests.

“Where am I?” I inquired, my voice shaky from the crying.

From the darkness a figure formed. He was about 18 years old, no… 16. He was dressed in a moss T-Shirt and Dark blue jeans. His brown hair brushed slightly against his tan skin. He seemed unfamiliar, except those light grey eyes, still as empty.

“It…It’s you," I slight murmured under my breath.

The man in black! It can’t be him; he seemed so old and fragile. But, those eyes they are unforgettable the rare grey shade the same emptiness.

“Hi, I am Titus, Welcome Tyesha!” he said with a faint smile

“Where am I? ” I thrashed with an amazingly collected voice.

“You… well aren’t you going to introduce yourself? But I already know you, " he slightly smiled.

“First tell me where I am and why are you here?” I rashly asked, my curiosity unable to be controlled.

“Umm…. Okay so you are here to save the world from domination!” He said abruptly

“What kind of a joke is this!”?  My voice rising, my breaths shallow.

And then, there was an empty silence…

MUGHAL EMPIRE : Madman writings and artifacts

Madman writings

 

How did the empire acquire power?

The reason why the Mogul empire acquired power was because Lodi the previous emperor had neglected his subjects. When this situation took place, Babur the first Mogul empire thought it was the right time to strike for power. The neglect of the subjects led to an uprising, Lodi’s own uncle invited Babur to invade.  As stated by many historians Lodi was not a great emperor. His neglect for subjects and corruptness left the citizens no choice but to invite another ruler to conquer Lodi.

 

Why did the empire become successful?

The main reason why the Mogul empire became successful was due to the immense acceptance of religion. The previous emperors had usually designated one religion to be followed by the whole population but in the Mogul empire freedom of religion was very important.  The usual fighting between the Hindus and Muslims came to an end as either religion was accepted.

Another reason why the empire was so successful was because of the art, literature and spices. These trades at chapter attention of many countries, since the money from the trade eventually came into the empire, economy revised very rapidly.

 

How did the empire influence its population?

The Mogul Empire mainly influenced its population by using taxes. The land was usually distributed between noble men, which rent it to farmers. This meant that there was always enough money to support empire.

One more way that the empire influenced it’s population was by using the non-Muslim tax. It was taken from those who were not Muslim; it encouraged Islam and also forced it upon those who could not pay the tax.

 

How did the empire interact with other civilizations?

The Mughal Empire interacted with other civilizations in two major processes. They either conquered the civilization or traded with them. The bigger one of the two would probably be their trade. When the Silk Road was established the Mughal Empire did not exactly exist, but as it came to power the demand for Indian goods and spices increased. Countries such as Britain, Persia and China were some of the many empires that traded with the Mughals. The culture expanded due to the several trades. The spices represented the food, the garments and jewels were signs of luxury and the medicinal plants were highly demanded since India and Pakistan were very tropical areas at that time.

When the Mughals conquered most of Central Asia, another great interaction occurred that still affects that part of the world. When the idea of Islam came into India many conflicts occurred between the Hindus and the Muslims.

 

What circumstances led to the empire’s end?

The most repeating answer would probably the promising changes proposed to the citizens by the British. In the late Mughal Empire the Emperors lacked the strict and powerful rule of their ancestors. They did not think for themselves and agreed to what their advisers suggested. The citizens were tired of their ludicrous rule. So when the British approached them the majority instantly thought that the Mughal Empire should end; however others disagreed. The emperor being so weak willed quickly fell under the British. Therefore ending the Mughal Empire.

Artifacts