Kangra and Kangre

In a small village, a man had two daughters named Kangra and Kangre. One day, the two sisters made a trip down to a river to catch some shrimps.

As they were trying to catch shrimps in one part of the river, a small cockle jumped inside their net. They moved to a different place, and a bigger cockle jumped inside.

Each time they moved to another site, the size of cockles jumping into their net would be bigger than the last one. In the end, they saw a cockle the size of a huge boulder which immediately started chasing after them. They ran for their lives, but it was soon catching up to them.

They realised they could not outrun it, so they hid on top of a huge climber.

The cockle lost them and started chasing after an elephant that was up ahead. The elephant unknowingly led it towards a cliff, and they both fell to their deaths. This is how the sisters survived.

However, they had come far from the river and were lost inside the forest.

While trying to figure a way out, they came across a tiger who told them, “If you two can’t find a way back home, visit the Gingchokdeng (long-nosed creature). He’ll help you get home. But remember one thing. Even if he feeds you excellent food and is the best host, do not trust him.”

The two sisters went to Gingchokdeng’s house, which was not too far off. When they reached his place, just like the tiger had told them, he fed them great food and was the sweetest host.

The older sister Kangra remembered the warning the tiger had given them, while younger Kangre was enjoying the creature’s hospitality. The night came; Gingchokdeng provided them with warm clothes and a room to rest.

Kangra was wide awake, too scared of what might happen if she fell asleep. Kangre was fast asleep, too exhausted to worry about anything. After a while, Gingchokdeng’s voice came from outside their room.

“Kangra, Kangre. Are you sleeping?”

Kangra answered, “Not just yet!”

Fearing for their lives, Kangra tried waking her sister up by shaking her sleeping form. Kangre did not wake up. The older sister tried pinching her and twisting her ears, but sleep held on tight to Kangre.

Kangra got up and stuffed her clothes under the blanket to fool the creature into thinking it was her sleeping on the bed. So scared for her life, she left her sister behind and ran into the night.

Gingchokdeng came back and asked if they were sleeping. Getting no response, he entered the room and went near Kangre’s bed. Using his extremely long nose, he started sucking her blood.

After he was done with her, he moved on to Kangra’s bed. His nose pierced through the bed and then through the house's wooden floor, finally hitting the ground. His nose was bleeding and twisted. He ran out in anger and started looking for Kangra.

Kangra took refuge in the house of a Mesema. Mesema hid her inside a basket, and Gingchokdeng could not find her. He went back home in defeat.

The following day, Mesema helped Kangra get home safe. Feeling thankful, Kangra gave her six baskets full of rice grains.