THE INNOCENT CUB

THE INNOCENT CUB

       

             A dark evening, a time when silence crept over with darkness. The darkness dominated the place making everything quiet and crafty. A place which was usually busy and vivid during the day on the contradictory took the other form during the silent nights. The view completely changed, the silence and the pitch black seemed to create an impression that it was a deserted spot for the passers by but the secluded silence and the familiar single lamp post has been our meeting point for years which dates back to the days of our adolescence. The lamp post stood right there as if it was dramatic setup just for the show today, it is indistinguishable even after fourteen years. The spot under the lamp's light is where my cousin and I sat on the usual rock in deep colloquy, our ideas and innovative thinking exchanged here, as if we had great things to do we won't leave the place until the agenda for the next morning is discussed.

 

         Once such day when we were lost in our merry chats a deep 'meow' sounded somewhere near in the dark but for sure it was not of a cat something stronger and bolder was heard. After foraging in the dark as we sat on the rock we noticed a young mother leopard approach us fully aware of her threatening surroundings and the two tiny humans watching her. Without hesitation she made her move as her age gained her experience to read human minds and to tackle among the complicated man-made structures. As she walked cautiously in the dark, the trees and shrubs gave protection for its inhabitants by covering her figure but letting her growl and purr to echo frequently throughout the woods. Our curiosity increased with the leopards increasing steps, our eyes scanned every possible way to get a clear image of her as we never had a chance to watch a wild leopard so close by. Less than a minute later behind her in a dull figure, small in size of a puppy came two naughty cubs romping out carelessly.  

        The impish cubs went exploring the nature, every shrub they crossed was a place of research for them they stood sensing different scents in the surrounding but not delaying to follow their mother who was vigilantly placing each steps with stern eyes gazing for any sense of danger. She too was a playful cub once but now the responsibility of a mother had fallen upon her. Her brave nature has to be suppressed for the safety of her cubs which totally relied on their mother who was solely responsible for their protection. The cubs were so adorable and playful same like our kittens at home but larger in size, they never minded what her mother stood against for. Even in their playfulness their natural instinct made them to still kept up their pace with their mother but never bothered to understand their mother's responsibility. 

         Being taught by nature, all living creatures felt safe and secure under their mother's shadow, there is no one trustworthy to share than her, no knowledgeable to guide than her, no one responsible in taking care of, no relationship worthy to be praised than a mother's. The power of mother's love and care is not solely for humans alone but the proof that the creator has shared it with all his creations can be very clearly seen in those canine animals too.

  

    Its instinct I guess, if we notice in babies,  a baby runs and pretends to go far out of mother's reach only when his mother is somewhere around. The same inquisitiveness doesn't get expressed with a stranger. Even while a baby tries this, it never fails to turn back and verify weather his mother is behind or not, on spotting the mother the energy level gets boosted to move further forward sometimes even inviting the mother to accompany him in his adventure. With all this happening around, there may be people watching, laughing, appreciating and adoring the baby's cuteness but the baby's focus lays upon his mother. The presence of the mother adds strength and courage to move forward in every events of our life. Even as adults we feel it in most of the times.

            Our wandering eyes stuck in amazement as the visibility got better, we were able to clearly admire the beauty of god's creation when the leopard came under the lamp post's light. The mother looked in both the directions of the road expecting any sense of danger but that was the exact moment for her to cross the hilly road as there were no any signs of those dangerous man-made machines on wheels. She crossed the road easily in just a few steps and immediately the first

cub moved along its mother but it became the most misfortune moment for the second cub, just as he crossed the road speeding his tiny steps almost reached the other end a speeding car hit him. I was not able to believe that very moment, it was like the joy of our thoughts were scattered by a stone. We screamed hard but the car left without caring for the creature which had just got crushed under its wheels nor showing any heed for our voice. I ran towards the cub but quickly realizing the anger of the mother made hesitations in my mind but kindness never stops anyone from acting when it is truly felt. As I ran nearer I saw the motionless cub lying on the road, it was late the power of the man built machine has already taken its life as it was just a baby it had already died. We saw thick red blood slowly flowing over the crevices on the road, I guess the blood was flowing out from its ears. We carried the cub in fear, my hands felt the elegance of its soft fur even if it has no life left. Some cars stood as we were standing on the road, curious people were out of their vehicles to see what we were doing with a wild animal. People despite of their ages felt pity for the cub, some admired the beauty of it, some were occupied in their phones to trace out the speeding car using their internal influences. In a few moments as we heard the cry of the mother, we kept the body of the cub near the bush away from the eyes of the by passers and we dismissed. As we returned we could see the mother crying and calling the cub hoping it might follow her.

            The night kept me awake not only by the continuous cry of the lost mother throughout the night but imagining why it has to happen the worst way?

The very next morning unfamiliar voices made me awake, I don't even remember how I slept. The new day was fresh with morning sunlight climbing our window panels waking up the tiny dust in my room and the birds in our roof. Just the time has passed but the feeling of incident was just the same as if it had happened minutes before. I quickly ran out to find whose voices were they and as I entered our dining room I saw few men in khaki dress, it seems like some sort of uniforms as they all were wearing the same. I strangely looked at them they gave a pleasant smile in return. I quickly ran towards kitchen to find my mom and inquire about our unusual guests of the day. My mother was occupied in making tea so she considered my questions were less important for the moment, the only answer she gave me was 'forest officials' and her next answer to my repeated questions was 'carry the snacks plate to the front table'. Wondering about the officials I silently stood near my father who had called the official through telephone. I understood nothing from their conversation but was happy knowing that they had come for the cub. When they were done with the conversation and tea I saw the officials carrying the cub with uttermost respect, the poor cub looked more beautiful in day's light, all its fur tips were shining when sunlight touched it. That day I knew about these forest departments of India and felt very proud of them. I learnt that these forest officials work day and night in protection of wild animals, I realized that there are more people for the protection and welfare of animals. I felt happy hoping that even though development and advancement forcefully pushes these wild creatures towards extinction, still there are conscious people in every corner of this world to protect and care for these non-protesting members of this planet.