Mayuka, a year older than Igashu, was an intelligent and clear-headed girl. Being the oldest in the gang, she ensured Igashu’s adventures were always safe. Mayuka’s father was the headmaster of the village school. He trained his daughter to be independent and think and act sensibly.

Kiana, the daughter of the village doctor, was eleven years old. She used to help her Dad to pack his medical bag for his daily morning rounds. Kiana was caring and sensitive to people’s needs. Though shy with strangers, she was lively within the gang.

One morning, when the gang was seated under the giant mango tree, Igashu excitedly announced, “I have an idea. Why not explore the land and the oceans beyond the mountains”?

Kiana thought it was a good idea and said, “Wow! That will be exciting. We can see new places and see how people live on the other side”.

Mayuka was more guarded. “Do you think it will be safe to cross the mountains by ourselves? I think we need a guide like a Sherpa, or else we may lose our way”.

“Yes, Mayuka is right. Someone should show us the way. But who is a Sherpa? Asked Cyan.

At nine years of age, Cyan was two years younger than Kiana. He was a great admirer of Mayuka. Like Mayuka, he didn’t like taking risks. He was also very large-hearted. Whenever his mother baked cupcakes, he would thoughtfully bring one for each member of the gang.

“Sherpas are experts in mountain climbing. They live on the Himalayan mountain slopes in Tibet and Nepal. Yes, it may be a good idea to use a Sherpa”, said Igashu.

Ahren was quick with a wisecrack. “I don’t see the need for a Sherpa. I will ride Zino and lead you through the correct mountain pass”.

Kiana’s kid brother Ahren was the youngest in the gang. Six-year-old Ahren was not only fearless but also a bit of a show-off. Being mostly in the company of girls, he never missed an opportunity to boss over them. Ahren loved riding Zino. Holding Zino’s curved horns, he would make Zino charge through the village. Zino enjoyed Ahren’s pranks. The flock of hens and the brood of ducks in the village would run in different directions whenever they saw Ahren riding Zino.

“Oh, Ahren! Can’t you be serious for a change? You shouldn’t be joking about such matters. I think we should go ahead and use a Sherpa”, said Nevaeh.

At seven years, Nevaeh was a little older than Ahren. She was an adorable, soft-spoken little girl, loved by everyone in the village. She was as caring as Kiana and as careful as Mayuka. Nevaeh was a foodie who never missed an opportunity to go to Cyan’s house for delicious chicken patties, doughnuts, and cupcakes. Cyan’s mother excelled at baking. She ran a small store in the village square with her freshly baked products.

“A Sherpa will indeed be needed. I have an idea. Tomorrow is the second day of the Reh festival. On this day, many of the villagers bring animals for slaughter. We will ask around. Someone is bound to know a Sherpa there”, said Kiana.

“That’s decided. We will meet at the Fair tomorrow. Hopefully, we will find a Sherpa”, said Igashu.