2024-2Bosco-Monkey-RabidDog |
Veeraswamy Krishnaraj |
The Rabid Dog
Bosco moved to a quaint, picturesque town with his parents for his further education. Their new home had a sprawling backyard, dominated by a majestic margosa (Neem) tree whose branches stretched out like welcoming arms. The tree stood tall and proud, its leaves rustling softly in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Adjoining the backyard was a charming old house with ivy creeping up its walls, adding to the serene atmosphere. Every day, a curious monkey appeared on the Neem tree, its eyes twinkling with mischief. Bosco, intrigued by the monkey’s daily visits, began offering it peanuts. Over time, the monkey, whom Bosco named Ramduth, grew bolder and more trusting. They formed an unspoken bond, playing together under the leafy canopy of the Neem tree. Ramduth’s agile movements and playful antics brought joy to Bosco’s heart, and the monkey eagerly awaited his return from school each day. Bosco, fascinated by Ramduth’s intelligence, decided to teach him a game of fetch. With just a day’s training, Ramduth mastered the game, fetching the stick with remarkable precision. The monkey’s repertoire of tricks expanded rapidly—reverse somersaults, playful wrestling, and even jumping through hoops of fire. Bosco often wondered if Ramduth had once been a circus performer or a street entertainer’s companion, now left to fend for himself. Despite Ramduth’s impressive skills, caring for him proved costly. Determined to support his new friend, Bosco showcased Ramduth’s talents to local animal lovers, who were captivated by the monkey’s charm and promised to help with his upkeep. On weekends, Ramduth accompanied Bosco to the playground, sometimes trailing behind, sometimes perched on his shoulders, much to the delight of Bosco’s playmates. The duo became the talk of the town, their bond a testament to the magic of friendship. One sunny afternoon, as children laughed and played, Ramduth suddenly began screeching, his eyes wide with alarm. Bosco followed the monkey’s gaze and saw a rabid dog, its eyes wild and foam dripping from its mouth, charging towards the playground. The dog, unrestrained and menacing, snapped at the boys, tearing their clothes but miraculously not breaking the skin. |
Panic ensued as the
children scattered, their screams echoing through the air. Ramduth,
perched high in the Neem tree, screeched louder, his cries a warning.
Bosco, thinking quickly, grabbed a large stick and, in a moment of sheer
bravery, seemed to vanish from sight. The stick, as if guided by an
unseen force, tapped the rabid dog gently, driving it towards a nearby
water closet. The doors slammed shut, trapping the dog inside. Soon, the authorities arrived, taking the rabid dog away. The children were rushed to the hospital, where they received first aid and were thankfully spared from needing rabies vaccinations. Bosco, reappearing at a safe distance, reunited with Ramduth, their bond stronger than ever. Together, they walked home, the sun setting behind them, casting a golden glow over the town. |