Once upon a time, in a place called Langsodin, there lived a couple named Khesewa and Mendangna. They lived simply, residing in a cave nestled in the forest and spent their days foraging for fruits and nuts to survive. Over time, Mendangna gave birth to a son, whom they named Sellok. The family lived contentedly, though they often had to leave little Sellok alone in the cave while they ventured into the forest to find food.
One day, when Sellok woke up, he found himself alone. Curious and adventurous, he crawled out of the cave but soon fell into a bush of stinging nettle, which caused him much pain and made him cry loudly. When Khesewa and Mendangna returned, they soothed him with herbal remedies and cared for him lovingly.
As years went by, Sellok grew more independent. One day, he wandered too far into the forest and never returned. Heartbroken, his parents searched through the forests, hills, rivers, and streams, calling out his name—“Sellok, Sellok”—but he was nowhere to be found. Their sorrow was so deep that Mendangna and Khesewa eventually passed away, their spirits still restless with grief.
According to Limbu belief, Mendangna and Khesewa were reborn as two Great Barbet birds, known as Neuli. Even in their bird forms, they tirelessly searched the forests, crying out, still calling for their lost son, “Sellok, Sellok.” This enduring sorrow is said to be heard whenever the call of the Neuli bird echoes through the forests of the Limbu lands.
This poignant folktale symbolizes enduring parental love, loss, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature. The Great Barbet, through this story, is seen as a messenger of emotion and a symbol of the unbreakable bonds of family. It conveys the values of love, perseverance, and respect for the natural world, all vital elements of Limbu culture and oral tradition.
The tale also reminds the Limbu people and all who hear it of the importance of caring for one another and preserving the stories passed down by ancestors. The Great Barbet’s call becomes not just a sound of nature but a living narrative of love and loss, woven into the fabric of Limbu identity and spirituality.