By Savitri Narayanan
The Sun was shining bright. It must have been afternoon. Must have been very hot too but where Ashwin and Ahmed were sitting, near the Killur forest, it was cool and comfortable. There they sat leaning on a Deodar tree, eating their lunch while their goats too were comfortably seated around, ruminating.
Both opened their lunch bags. The contents were the same as every day- chapatis, subzi and pickle. Ahmed sometimes had a fried fish too. Both their mothers got up very early, rushed through their household tasks as everyone had to go! The men went down to work in the timber factory and the women went to the Panchayat office. It was a small room where they sat doing needle work. Kunwar sahib who lived in a bungalow near Kinnur had a friend who owned a textile factory somewhere. When Kunwar sahib went to town, he would bring along large bags of clothes. Ammijan and Maji along with other women would get engaged in needle work like sewing buttons, hooks, zips, etc. They also did some embroidery and applique work to give the finishing touches to the garments.
“Ashwin, what shall we do when we grow up?” asked Ahmed as he chewed into his favourite fish.
“Well, I’ve never thought of that,” said Ashwin as he took a sip of water. “I suppose we will be herding the goats! What else is there to do?”
Chheelapur was a small village with a handful of families. It was close to the Killur forest on the way to Kinnur Kailas. Small shops and eateries came up near the road during the tourist season otherwise there was nothing really to do.
“I suppose we’ll continue to herd goats as grown-ups don’t do that! See, Abbajan goes to work in the factory and Ammijan goes to the panchayat office to do her work, it’s only children like us who herd the goats!”
“Yeah, that is true,” Ashwin said thoughtfully, “These goats also will grow up and then there will be kids, isn’t it?”
“That’s true,” agreed Ahmed, “Like boys and girls grow up, become men and women, get married and then they get babies! These goats also will get kids and we’ll be herding them!”
Up there in Chilapur village with the mountains towering over, there was nothing else to do! The children herded the cattle or worked in their backyards growing vegetables or just roamed around.
The goats followed their own timings. They would graze for some time, and after that, head for this tree. They found their own spots, not far from each other, settled down to ruminate. After a while, they would get up and stretch their limbs! Responding to this signal, both Ashwin and Ahmed would take them along for further grazing.
As they walked along, following their goats, Ashwin, said, “Well, Ahmed, keep an eye on the goats, let me go and drink some water, I’m thirsty!”
Nearby on their left, was a stream flowing past. Ashwin walked over and dipped his cupped hands in the stream to take a handful of water. He was shocked to see a crocodile right there! Never in his life had Ashwin seen a crocodile, not at such close quarters! Before Ashwin knew what was happening, the crocodile had grabbed his palms!
“Don’t give in Ashwin!” said a voice from his mind, “Pull back, don’t get pulled in!”
He struggled with all his might to pull back, to stay on land. The crocodile had a strong grip on his palms and was retreating back into the stream.
“Help, come fast, crocodile’s here!” Ashwin shouted as loud as he could.
Ahmed was at a distance but could hear the shout. So, he left the goats and rushed towards the stream. There he was shocked to see the crocodile, pulling his friend into the stream!
Without losing a moment, Ahmed caught hold of Ashwin’s waist and pulled him back with all his might but the crocodile wouldn’t let go!
“Help! Help!” they shouted. Ahmed continued to pull Ashwin back with all his might.
There were two villagers who were passing by who heard the cry for help. They acted quickly, one joined Ahmed to pull back Ashwin while the other took a long stick and hit the crocodile, targeting its eyes. In a few seconds, the crocodile let go of Ashwin and disappeared in the stream.
Ashwin’s palms were slightly hurt and bleeding but he was safe.
There was great rejoicing.
“Can’t think of a way to thank Ahmed, said Ashwin, “If he hadn’t pulled me back, I would have been in the crocodile’s, stomach by now!”
He tried to laugh but there were tears in his eyes, “Friend, you saved my life!” he said. All the assembled villagers there agreed and complemented their courage.
“I was afraid for my life too, but at that moment all I could think of was to save Ashwin!” said Ahmed.
“You saved your friend, Ahmed!” said someone. “Who knows you may grow up to be a soldier who’ll protect our country!”
“Proud of the courageous boys,” said the Panchayat Pradhan. “We need a celebration! Tonight we’ll have a feast in my house for all the villagers! See you all for dinner!”
(Savitri Narayanan is a retired educationist at present in Goa. A mother and grandmother, loves reading, writing and travelling.)
