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Once
upon a time in the jungle of Tabaku there were no rains in the rainy season and
hence the famine followed. All plants, trees and water sources went dry. As a
result many animals left the jungle in search of water and those who stayed were
forced to survive on what ever water they could drink from the muddy river. The
river which once overflowed with water and life had today turned quite shallow
and muddy.
In such a state of circumstances there was also a rock in the interiors of the
jungle under which flew a thin stream of water. Near that rock lived some rats
which had no knowledge of the troubled state of the rest of the jungle. As other
animals knew nothing of those rats and the rock, they could also not know of the
thin water stream which was helping the rats alone to survive the famine.
Now all the animals which were
facing the famine held a meeting to think of measures for survival.
Everybody was looking towards Sabu Elephant who was thought
to be the wisest of all animals. "Hmm, ours being a big
jungle I think there should be more than one water sources I
suggest that if we dig at any such area we are likely to find
water", a despondent Sabu said. "Then should we not
dig up the mud of our river? We might find water there?",
Bhura bear said as he thought over Sabu's suggestion. "Digging
up the river is not the right idea as its muddy water is our
only source of survival right now, digging it up might become
the cause for its drying sooner hence leaving us all without
any water altogether. Of course none of us will want that to
happen so the best bet is to search for an alternate water body?,"
said Sabu.
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It
so happened that as all the animals were wandering through
the jungle, searching for another water resource, many
of them passed by the rock under which the thin stream
flowed. All of them wondered noticing the damp
grounds but none could make out the nearby water source.
By now many of the rats also had become aware of the calamity
which rest of the jungle was facing. So, the rats called
up a meeting to discuss the state of affairs and decide
upon their next course of action. "Our jungle is
facing a famine should we not inform our fellow animals
of the little water body under that rock? After all sooner
or later they may find it out themselves?," one of
the rats said. The rat community soon got divided in their
opinion of helping other animals of the jungle.
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"Don't be
stupid, as it is the stream is so thin already and if all animals come to know
of it, it will get extinguished too. Other animals are big enough. They can
easily shift to other places and search water for themselves. We rats are too
small to search ourselves a new place?", saying this an old rat cancelled the
idea of sharing the little water stream with other animals and the meeting was
adjourned.
But the destiny had planned something else for the jungle and its inmates. Sabu
who was quite heartbroken realizing the impracticality of his suggestion
happened to pass by the rock too and his keen perception couldn't miss the waves
generated by the hustling rats around him. One look at them and Sabu couldn't
fail to observe a look of freshness upon rats. Such look Sabu had not seen on
other animals of the jungle since the famine broke. "There is water, here!!!"
Sabu couldn't control his excitement as he thought.
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Looking around with madness Sabu could find
nothing else but a large rock which could be sitting upon the water source, that
is, if there was one indeed. Noticing the dampness in the ground surrounding the
rock Sabu decided to dislocate the rock. Sabu trumpeted loudly as he displaced
the heavy rock. The rock had remained jammed in the position for years but as
Sabu displaced it with all his might it went rolling with great thuds for few
meters, thus perishing all the rats that came in its path. Swish, splash, swoosh
gushed out a cool and reviving water spring. Filling all that he could in his
trunk Sabu splashed it overhead in a playful mood and trumpeted loudly to invite
rest of the jungle to enjoy with him |
Every
animal who heard Sabu?s trumpet couldn't fail to understand
that Sabu had succeeded in his discovery hence they all left
what ever they were busy doing and followed Sabu?s call to join
him. As expected, while rest of the jungle was rejoicing Sabu's
success, rats were running for their life so as to avoid getting
trampled under the feet of other animals. All the animals soon
dug around the entire area thus exposing the whole stream. The
animals which were until now forced to wait for their death
were now enjoying their survival.
Some more time passed, the rain gods happy with survival spirit
of the jungle animals blessed them with enormous rains and replenished
the jungle with all forms of life, but the rats who had still
not been able to make up for the loss they had suffered due
to the sudden out break of all jungle animals on their community
decided to lodge a complaint against Sabu. King Sher Singh,
the lion listened patiently to the King Rat as he complained
against Sabu, and then looked at him gravely. "As being
part of the jungle community it was your duty to invite rest
of the jungle to partake the benefits of that natural spring,
and instead of feeling ashamed of the selfishness shown by you
and your community, you come asking me to punish Sabu who was
only trying to help the whole jungle to survive the famine.
Before I start considering punishing you for your insolence
you must leave my court immediately King Rat", Sher Singh
said as he roared with great anger. Listening to this poor King
Rat could not stop even long enough to beg pardon of the Sher
Singh and his court and immediately took to its heels fearing
that should Sher Singh change his mind there would remain no
rat alive in the jungle of Tabaku.
Contributing Story
Teller::
Manju I am a parent, seriously
inclined to write for children
mawnoo.pia@gmail.com
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