LURE OF LORE

T'S dark outside. The only light in the room comes from the vilakku, throwing soft shadows on the walls.

- PARVANA K B

Children sit around their grandmother, huddled close, waiting for her to begin. In a low voice, almost a whisper, she starts, "Don't step out after dusk, the Yakshi might be waiting under the pala-maram."

Their eyes widen, caught between fear and excitement, as she narrates the story of the Yakshi in her white saree, sharp teeth flashing, her feet never touching the ground as she floats through the night, looking for her next victim.