This is the story of four friends — Sunny, Chiku, Jignesh, and Balli.

Their friendship dates back to college days. A bond with no formalities, no pretenses — just endless nonsense, loving banter,

and that one promise never spoken aloud, but always kept from the heart — “We’ll stick together, no matter what.”

After college, life slowly slipped into a boring routine.

Jobs, meetings, tea, and scrolling on the phone — the days passed by, but nothing really changed.

One day, Sunny was sitting on his couch. The TV was on in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere.

Suddenly, a spark lit up his face — like someone had shaken him awake.

“That’s enough now!” he said, picking up his phone.

WhatsApp group – “Kaand Party 4.0”

Sunny: “Bhai log, this weekend we’re going for a trek… no phones, no internet, nothing!”

Chiku started typing immediately —

“You took us to a stinking drain last time and called it a lake. If you say ‘trek’ again, I’ll break your face!”

But somewhere deep down… Chiku liked the idea.

Jignesh asked, “Where are we going?”

Balli wrote, “If any ghosts show up during the trek, Sunny, I’ll start worshipping you right there.”

After a bit of arguing and a lot of jokes, everyone agreed. The location wasn’t decided yet,

but Sunny promised — “This time, it’s going to be something special.”

Saturday morning, 7 AM — the four of them hopped into an old SUV.

Loud music blaring, packets of chips flying around, and loads of fun on the way.

The roads were smooth at first, then started getting a bit bumpy.

Sunny opened his old GPS app.

“Here’s the jungle shortcut… even the king of the jungle probably hasn’t been here.”

Jignesh pulled out the snack packets, Chiku began recording videos on his camera, and Balli kept looking at every tree and saying —

“That tree looks haunted, bro.”

The path narrowed, then got surrounded by dense trees, and suddenly, the GPS spoke in a weird voice:

“You have arrived at your destination.”

All four froze, confused. They looked around — no campsite, no trekking group — just tall trees, thick bushes, and an eerie silence.

“This looks like a jungle,” Chiku said nervously.

Balli replied, “Of course it’s a jungle, idiot — that’s why there are trees, mud, and no proper road!”

Just then, they saw a big rock… and sitting on it was — a monkey.

The monkey looked at them slowly, stood up, placed both hands on its waist, and said angrily —

“Humans again? The last bunch dropped chips and ran away!”

The four friends froze on the spot.

Sunny dropped his water bottle.

Chiku’s legs began to shake.

Jignesh took off his glasses and wiped them — maybe he was hallucinating.

Balli whispered, “Bro… the monkey… is talking… and we can understand him!”

The monkey said, “Yeah, you can understand me, right? I’m no ordinary monkey…

I am Raghuveer – the Mysterious Guide of the Jungle!”

They all thought — “He must be a trained monkey… or maybe this is some prank show.”

But then the monkey added —

“If you want to get out of this jungle safely, you must pass three trials.

Otherwise… you’ll rot here forever.”

Task 1: The Peepal Puzzle

As the four friends followed the monkey a short distance into the jungle, they came upon a very old Peepal tree.

Its roots twisted above the ground, tangled together like they were hiding some ancient secret.

Something was hanging from its branches, swaying like old rags in the wind.

The monkey leapt onto a branch and announced —

“Welcome to your first challenge — The Peepal Puzzle.”

The friends looked up. Hanging from the branches were five paper slips,

fluttering mysteriously like a magic spell written in the wind.

The monkey declared —

“These slips hold five questions. You have to read and answer them one by one.

For every correct answer, one branch will turn green. But if you’re wrong… then…”

He pointed down with his finger.

The four looked — beneath the tree was a patch of dark, wet mud. It shimmered strangely, like someone had mixed oil into it.

Balli whispered —

“Bro… that mud looks fresh… so if we mess up, we’re going into that?”

The monkey nodded —

“Exactly. And if you answer at least three correctly, you can skip the rest.”

Sunny stepped up —

“Alright, I’ll go first.”

He pulled down the first paper. The question read:

“Who waters the tree?”

Chiku whispered — “The irrigation department?”

Balli said — “No, it’s the farmer!”

Sunny said — “Rain.”

One of the branches turned green instantly. A gentle breeze swayed it like it approved.

The monkey clapped —

“Correct! Rain is the best water-giver for trees. Unlike humans, it doesn’t ask for bribes!”

Next up was Jignesh.

He pulled the second slip —

“Why does the snake lose in Snakes & Ladders?”

Chiku burst out laughing — “Because it helps others climb up in its own game!”

Jignesh said — “Wait… are these trick questions or just jokes?”

Balli replied — “Seems like both. Just go for it, bro.”

Jignesh smiled and said —

“Because it’s so busy pulling others down, it forgets to climb up itself.”

The second branch turned golden. The monkey’s eyes widened —

“Wow! A philosophical answer from a human? Impressive. Two for two!”

Chiku now took the third question. It read —

“Why doesn’t a tree fall?”

Balli jumped in — “Because it has roots!”

Sunny laughed — “Sometimes you really go deep, Balli!”

Chiku gave the same answer —

“Because its roots are strong.”

The branch didn’t turn green… instead, strange bubbles began to rise from the muddy patch.

The monkey said —

“Wrong answer!”

THUD! The ground shook, and Chiku sank straight into the muck — half his body disappeared.

Chiku screamed —

“Bro! This is real mud! I’m gonna need deodorant after this!!”

Jignesh rushed to pull him out — but as he did, the fourth slip fluttered into his hands.

“What’s the similarity between a tree and a human?”

Jignesh, now knee-deep in the gooey mess, shouted —

“Both get cut down before their time!”

The tree branch trembled… and a flower fell. The branch didn’t turn green.

The monkey couldn’t stop laughing —

“Humans may lack wisdom, but they never lack humor!”

Now both Chiku and Jignesh were dragged out of the sticky mess, completely covered in black slime.

Balli and Sunny helped them up. Their faces were muddy, one eye shut, and leaves stuck to their shirts.

Balli joked —

“Looking at you two, it’s like horror movie extras just walked out.”

Sunny asked —

“Should we go for the last question?”

The monkey nodded —

“It’s your choice. It depends on your thinking.”

Sunny picked up the final question:

“Who lives longer — a tree or a human?”

All four went silent for a moment.

Then Sunny said —

“A tree. Because it lives to give. Humans only live to take.”

All the branches suddenly turned green. The breeze picked up. The Peepal leaves rustled like they were clapping.

The monkey smiled —

“Wow, human! Today you spoke like humanity still has hope.”

Behind him, Jignesh and Chiku looked at each other’s mud-smeared faces and burst out laughing.

Balli said —

“Well, we passed the task. But how do we remove this stink?”

Chiku replied —

“Bro, whatever the next challenge is… it better be in a dry-cleaned zone!”

The monkey took a deep breath and said —

“One trial is over… now, follow me to the Land of Crocodiles — the next game begins there.”

Task 2: The Crocodile Bridge

After the Peepal Puzzle, the four friends were completely exhausted.

Chiku and Jignesh were still dripping in mud, Sunny’s water bottle was less than half full now,

and Balli kept pulling leaves out of his hair every two minutes.

But the monkey — who had now firmly taken the role of their “guide” — was still full of energy.

He hopped ahead with enthusiasm and suddenly shouted from behind a cluster of trees —

“Alright, folks! Time for some real fun – Task 2!”

The four of them slowly made their way toward him and saw a narrow wooden bridge ahead — shaky, old, and creaky.

And below it… was a terrifying sight.

A murky swamp was filled with dozens of crocodiles, jaws wide open — as if they’d been starving for years and the buffet had finally arrived.

The monkey shouted —

“Cross one by one. But remember — one wrong step, and these guys below will turn you into a snack!”

Chiku said in a trembling voice —

“Bro… is this adventure or ‘andar danger’?”

Balli stared at the bridge for a moment. Then, ignoring his heavy build and growing fear, he tightened his belt and declared,

“I’m going.”

He took a deep breath and stepped onto the first plank.

With every step he took, the bridge dipped a little more.

The crocodiles below twitched at every movement — one even slapped its tail in the air like it was waiting for the order to attack.

Sunny and the others held their breath.

Balli carefully balanced himself, wobbling from side to side — but finally made it across.

No one clapped — their hands were too shaky for that — but a collective sigh of relief filled the air.

Now it was Jignesh’s turn.

Usually the practical one, Jignesh didn’t seem too afraid.

In fact, he kept checking the snack bag in his hand.

As soon as he stepped onto the bridge, the crocodiles stirred with sudden excitement.

“Bro… these guys seem a bit too enthusiastic,” he said nervously.

From behind, the monkey yelled —

“Well, someone dropped some fresh chips down there! Looks like it fell from someone’s bag!”

Jignesh looked down and gasped —

“Wait! That’s my churma laddus!?”

Sunny shouted back —

“Dude! Focus on your life, not your laddus! RUN!”

Jignesh stumbled and scurried his way across, but by the time he made it, half his snacks were floating below.

He peeked over the edge and muttered —

“The only other time I’ve seen faces that scary was during my boss’s meetings.”

Now it was Chiku’s turn.

He took three deep breaths and mumbled something under his breath — maybe “Om Namah Shivaya” or “Mom, save me” — and stepped on.

He walked carefully, whispering with each step, and somehow made it to the other side without incident.

“Sunny! You’re next!” Balli called out.

Sunny quietly checked his phone in his pocket and said —

“If I don’t make it, send my phone back home.”

He smiled and stepped onto the bridge.

One crocodile moved particularly close — it seemed to be matching Sunny’s steps like it was choreographing a dance routine.

Sunny called down —

“Hey, stay down there, bro. Not today.”

And with a few careful steps, he made it across.

All four friends were now on the other side — faces covered in sweat, their breaths heavy, hearts still pounding.

The monkey clapped —

“Bravo, humans! For the first time, a task was completed without any casualties. You actually showed some courage!”

Jignesh collapsed to the ground and said —

“If the next task doesn’t involve crocodiles, snakes, or monkeys, my soul will be forever grateful.”

Chiku handed the last few drops of his water to Sunny and said —

“This jungle shortcut’s starting to feel like a full feature film.”

Balli yawned —

“We still have ghosts to meet, right? I bet this monkey’s one of them…”

They all turned to look at the monkey… but he was gone.

“Wait, where did he go?” Sunny asked, alarmed.

A voice came from above —

“I’m up here — on the tree! You crossed the bridge, now follow me further…”

The four friends exchanged glances once again — a strange mix of fear, suspicion, and excitement brewing inside them.

Task 3: The Stone of Truth

After crossing the crocodile bridge, the four friends were finally catching their breath when the monkey swung down from the trees again.

But this time, there was no mischief, no silly grin — just a mysterious smile on his face.

“This next task… is the most special,” he said, pointing silently toward a clearing.

The friends walked in that direction. In the center of the open field lay a huge, ancient stone, covered in moss.

Around the stone, the grass was dry and lifeless — as if nothing had grown there in years.

And strangest of all, an old rusted lock dangled above the stone with a message carved on it:

“Recognize the truth. Only then will the path open.”

Chiku scratched his head.

“Bro, this looks like a movie prop.”

Jignesh asked,

“What’s so special about this rock?”

The monkey spoke softly —

“This is the place… where my story began.”

The four of them froze.

Sunny: “Wait, what do you mean? You’re a monkey…”

The monkey was silent. Then slowly, he began to speak —

“I… was once human. My name was Raghuveer. A loner, a mountain wanderer.

One day, I came to this forest for trekking… I felt something strange.

An old man said to me — ‘Only those who forget themselves can truly walk these woods.’

I laughed and walked on… but I never returned.”

Balli stepped back in shock —

“Wait, you’re… not a monkey, but a human spirit??”

The monkey smiled faintly.

“Yes. My soul got trapped here… beneath this very stone.

During a storm, a tree fell and the stone collapsed onto me.

People thought I had gone missing… but I was stuck here — in the body of an animal, cursed as a spirit.”

The four friends stood stunned.

There was a heavy silence… only the whispering wind and the monkey’s voice filled the air.

Sunny asked softly —

“What can we do?”

Monkey:

“If you can lift this stone… I might find peace. But beware — this isn’t an ordinary stone.

It can only be lifted not with strength… but with truth.”

Chiku frowned —

“What do you mean?”

The monkey explained —

“Each of you must place your hand on the stone… and confess the biggest lie you’ve told yourself.

Only then will the stone become lighter.”

First Truth – Sunny

Sunny stepped forward and placed his hand on the stone.

A faint glow appeared. A voice echoed —

“What is your greatest lie?”

Tears welled up in Sunny’s eyes. He whispered —

“I always try to make everyone laugh… so that no one sees how sad I am inside.”

A light thump came from the stone. As if its burden had slightly lessened.

Second Truth – Jignesh

Jignesh hesitated, then stepped forward. He placed his hand.

“What is your greatest lie?”

Jignesh confessed —

“I pretend to be practical… but I’m scared of everything — of being alone, of failing… and most of all, of myself.”

A small crack appeared on the stone.

Third Truth – Chiku

Chiku placed his hand, closed his eyes.

“What is your greatest lie?”

He answered —

“I say I don’t care about anyone… but the truth is, I can’t live without my friends. I love them more than anything.”

Grass around the stone began to fall away.

Fourth Truth – Balli

Balli paused —

“Admitting the truth… is the hardest thing.”

He placed his hand.

“What is your greatest lie?”

“I always say I don’t care… but every time someone mocks me, it breaks me inside.”

Now the stone began to tremble.

BOOM!!

A loud sound echoed.

The stone shifted. From beneath it, dry leaves, old clothes, and a broken camera spilled out.

The four friends joined forces to push the stone aside.

Underneath it lay a half-burnt skeleton… and beside it — an old diary.

The monkey sat down on the ground — tears in his eyes, but peace in his voice.

“That was my body… my final chapter… and you four were my last hope.”

None of them said a word.

Then Sunny extended a hand toward him —

“Come on… let’s take you home.”

The monkey smiled.

And then… slowly, his form began to change.

The monkey turned to smoke… and from that smoke emerged a glowing figure — the peaceful, smiling soul of a man.

Raghuveer’s spirit was now free.

A soft lightning flashed in the sky — not frightening, but freeing.

The Return

The four friends began their return — the path was now clear, as if some unseen force had swept away all the thorns.

The trees no longer seemed scary.

The air wasn’t whispering anymore.

And most importantly — there was no fear on their faces now, only peace.

Balli made a face —

“Next time, let’s just go to a mall and eat popcorn. No more ghosts for me.”

Chiku nodded —

“And yeah, from now on — don’t make eye contact with any monkey. No chit-chat either!”

Sunny smiled —

“Still… you have to admit, this trek taught us a lot…”

Jignesh jumped in —

“Yeah. Biggest lesson — never trust Sunny for GPS directions!”

All four burst into laughter as they climbed into their car.

Their laughter now held no fear — only the depth of friendship and a new understanding of life.

The car drove out of the forest, heading back toward the city.

Behind them…

lay the dense jungle,

the crocodile pond,

and that great stone…

Still lying there —

silent, mysterious, unmoved.

Perhaps waiting for another story.

Perhaps waiting… for another truth.

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