Ruchu: A Dog's Tale of Struggle and Survival

 

Introduction

Ruchu: A Dog’s Tale of Struggle

In the Police Department of the City Ruchu, due to its strong and unique sniffing power, was the most famous and deadly investigative canine of the department. Its mere sight caused fear among the criminals the Police succeeded in rounding up innumerable criminals till date due to its identification by precise sniffing power. But the time does not always remain the same and there always come ups and downs in everybody’s life and Ruchu was no exception. Due to an unfortunate incident in an encounter with a criminal Ruchu’s nose was stabbed by a disparate criminal. Though Ruch’s life was saved but it lost its unique and strong sniffing power. An investigative dog is totally worthless without its sniffing power, and hence it has become a liability for the Department, so Ruchu was thrown out of the Police Department at once on the dictum of no work, no pay. Even muincipal department was also not read to take its responsibility. Though its trainer and caretaker Ramdin was ready to take Ruchu to his house but his wife Usha was quite hostile towards the dogs due to some unfortunate incident in her childhood in some dog bit her. So in a moment Ruchu fell from Zenith to Nadir and it was left on its own at the mercy of nature and society. Now there was no option before it but to adapt with the changed circumstances and struggle for existence among other stray dogs of the street. These street dogs were aggressive and read to kill or get killed just for the sake of some petty interest of holding their own area. Even after losing its sniffing power Ruchu still had some attributes that it has learnt during the police training like alert ears, keen eyes, swiftness and courage. All these attributes help it to stage a comeback and assume the leadership of a group of stray street dogs. In the struggle Ruchu gets support from Rickshawman from Bihar and crippled old cobbler who shower affection on Ruchu. With its skill not only Ruchu helps Old Crippled Cobbler but also Rickshawman but also the children of the streets by playing cricket with them. At one point of life it even had to accept cold stale bread to drive away its hunger. In the drive to catch stray dogs by the Municipality Ruchu emerges a natural leader of its pack by saving the gos of its gang from the municipal workers. Finally it gets the affection of grown up people of society like Ramdin’s wife Usha, by foiling the plan of the culprits to abduct Chintu with the help of its promptness, bravery and courage. This story ends happily when Ruchu, proving Darwin’s theory, becomes the hero of the entire town by helping people to catch the culprits who wanted to kidnap Chintu.

Author

Mr. Ruchu: A Dog’s Tale of Struggle and Survival

Author: Dr Deepak Pancholi

                                                               Translator: Dr. K. S.Kang

Only some creatures in this world are fortunate and among them beasts are rarer. One such fortunate creature was a dog named Ruchu. Though it was not a foreign breed, but due to its strong and unique sniffing power that it had become a favourite crime buster and investigative canine of the Police Department. Ruchu had been working with the Police from last couple of years and due to its powerful olfactory sense had helped the Department to solve a number of cases and nab the criminals and put them behind the bars. Though there were other dogs also in the department and some of them were even of foreign breed like Sheru and Jabanj but due to some unique attribute Ruchu had become favourite hound of the Police that even made his fellow dogs- Sheru and Jabanj envious. But life does not remain smooth and swift always. There are ups and downs in life, rather it is like a wave full of ups and downs and these ups and downs are part of everybody’s life whether it was a human being’s life or the life of this dog Ruchu.

One fine morning Ruchu was enjoying the warmth of sunlight on a moderate winters while its colleagues- Sheru and jabanj- were whispering something in a corner. Suddenly Ruchu’s trainer Ramdin came in quick strides and waving his hand of affection on Ruchu’s back took it to a scene of crime and Ruchu too responded to Ramdin’s gestures showing affection by embracing Ramdin’s legs with its paws. Then starts the process of identifying the criminals by sniffing the spot of crime.

The spot of crime was a room where a corpse of an old man was lying in a pool of perhaps his own blood and the things in the room were lying scattered indicating a gruesome struggle before death. Taking Ruchu near the dead body Ramdin commanded Ruchu ‘ Sniff and find’ and then Ruchu’s work began in earnest. Police had already surrounded the scene of crime. As Ruchu was sniffing clothes, dead body and other things in the room Policemen looked hopefully at Ruchu. After sniffing the clothes of dead old man Ruchu barked and ran towards the open window in the room that was indication that culprit had escaped that way after committing the crime. In an instant Ruchu jumped through the window and was moving towards a particular direction while Ramdin and other policemen followed Ruchu closely. Finally Ruchu entered a narrow lane and stopped before a two storey house. Policemen and Ramdin following Ruchu too stopped . Soon there were policemen around that house while four constables and Ruchu entered the house. Stopping before a room Ruchu started barking loudly. Soon three armed person came out of the room. Policemen were already prepared for this situation and then began Police’s encounter with the culprits. Soon policemen succeeded in rounding up two criminals and as the third one was trying to escape Ruchu jumped at him suddenly. Taken aback this fellow ran towards the door and finding policemen waiting for him at the entrance of the building he turned back towards the room and faced Ruchu’s assault once. Though he succumbed before Ruchu but before that he succeeded in stabbing Ruchu in its nose with his dagger due to which Ruchu was bleeding profusely in the nose. Ruchu was taken to the hospital quickly. Vet Doctor bandaged its bleeding nose and gave Ruchu an injection. Fro next couple of hours Ruchu was recovering from this injury that had been inflicted by the criminal in the last encounter. But nobody was aware about the great change that was going to come in Ruchu’s life soon.

One day as usual Ramdin, Ruchu’s trainer and caretaker, came and took Ruchu to the shop of Fakir Chand, that had been burgled and broken into by the thieves. Ruchu knew it very well that its job was to identify the culprits by sniffing things in the shop. ‘Sniff’ commanded Ramdin to Ruchu and Ruchu, who had helped police a number of times in putting criminals behind the bars started sniffing the things in the shop but to his utter surprise it was unable to detect any smell in the things that it sniffed. It soon dawned on Ruchu and other policemen that due to its nasal injury in the last encounter with the criminals it has lost its sniffing power. And a dog, specially the investigative dog of the police department was totally worthless without the sniffing sense. Perhaps the stab of knife on its nose that was given by the criminal in its bid to escape the police had permanently injured its olfactory sense. Ramdin and other policemen were utterly surprised to find that Ruchu was unable to detect anything from the things lying scattered in the shop. Lying helplessly at he feet of Ramdin, tears came in the eyes of Ruchu as it was unable to give any clue about the crime to the waiting policemen. Inspector ordered Ramdin to take Ruchu to Vet Hospital at once and he also ordered to bring other dogs- Sheru and Jabanj- to the scene of crime.

Veterinarian Dr. Durbal Singh after examining Ruchu diagnosed that Ruchu had lost its sniffing power for ever due to the nose injury incurred as a stab of knife by the criminal. This fact stunned Ruchu as it appeared to be the saddest day of its life. Ramdin was also upset at getting this news as he had grown attached to Ruchu due to his long association with it that he almost considered Ruchu as member of his family and just like one of his son. As Ruchu had become totally worthless for the police department so it did not take long to get rid of this liability and issued orders to release Ruchu from the services of the department at once following the dictum of ‘no work, no pay’. All the efforts of Ramdin to retain Ruchu proved to be futile as he was concerned about the well being and security of his dear Ruchu. Even Municipality was also not ready to take it so that two square meals of the day could be secured for Ruchu. Ramdin’s was unable to take Ruchu to his house due to his dominant wife Usha who had aversion for dogs as one of it had bit her during her childhood. When Ramdin brought Ruchu to his house his wife burst out losing her temper saying, ‘ We are unable to bring our kids and make both the ends meet in your meagre salary, how can we afford to keep this worthless creature. But still he made a meek effort by saying, ‘Don’t say so dear, Ruchu isa very sweet creature and even our kids are also much attached to it and then it will not prove too costly for us, as whatever is left over from our food will be taken by Ruchu’. But Usha gave ultimate almost shouting, mad with rage ‘ I don’t want to hear anything either I or Ruchu will stay in this house, the choice is yours’. So Ramdin was utterly helpless and had no option but to leave Ruchu on its own to survive in the world. Even Ramdin’s kids wanted to keep Ruchu in their house but they were also totally helpless before the ultimate of their mother.

Now Ruchu, who had been living in comfort and luxury so far was not even considered eligible to stay in a nook of an ordinary house. Now time had completely changed as Ruchu was in total dark where to go or what to do after leaving Ramdin’s house. It was getting dusk when Ramdin ordered Ruchu to leave his house and it came into the street. As Ruchu was not feeling much hungry at that time so it wandered aimlessly in the streets. Time had come now before it to face and encounter harsh realities of life and its bitter struggle for survival. Well known scientist Darwin had given theory of the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ a couple of centuries ago as that creature survives successfully who has capability to adept according to the changed circumstances. Nearly such a situation has come for Ruchu too as it did not know that such a time would come when it would be without food or shelter despite the fact that it has spent its life in comfort and luxury so far. It was a moderate winter evening and soon darkness descended and took everything of the town in its embrace. Even the street lights were not able to give much illumination due to the bird’s nest and other trash deposited on the bulbs of the streets of the town and authorities have not cared to maintain or clean them or replace fused bulbs once they had been put up on the poles. Due to continuous wandering now Ruchu was feeling tired so it decided to take some rest at the end of a street. But the moment it laid down three dogs came at him barking ferociously as they did not want to share their area with Ruchu. For an instant Ruchu thought to give befitting reply to these dogs but then to avoid needless struggle with them, decided to withdraw peacefully and Ruchu walked out of the street. While coming out of the street Ruchu was sadly thinking about these three dogs who were disillusioned and were ready to shed blood for so called their area. The reality of life was that no body, including these three stray street dogs, will be able to retain an area for ever in life. So it was totally futile to fight for area. They do not know that even the area they claim to be theirs will not remain with them for ever as Ruchu considered Police Headquarters as its own area, but he was thrown out of it in an instant. These three ignorant dogs did not know that any some more mighty creature than them can drive them easily from their area or any day municipal authorities may catch them and evict them to some remote forest from where they may never return. Then why this illusory possession of a particular area as their own.

Other end of a street ended on a highway on which vehicles-two wheelers and four wheelers-were plying speedily in their eagerness to reach their destinations. But Ruchu was moving slowly, in comparison with the vehicles, like a tortoise aimlessly as it had no shelter to rest. Under an overbridge on the highway a Rickshaw was standing in dim light of the street light. On the left of cycle rickshaw a bull was resting under the lamppost. Ruchu was eyeing a vacant spot near bull to spend the night. Ruchu was unable to recollect any time in its life it had to spend the night in the open in such an untidy surroundings. Ruchu had to struggle even for this untidy place to rest for night. Such is the cruel game that fate had played with it. As Ruchu moved towards this spot bull shook its horns threateningly towards it indicating that Ruchu should not dare to think of coming to that place. Seeing the large,sharp horns of the mighty bull Ruchu thought it safe to withdraw and he succumbed to the bull’s threat with a weak growl that awakened the Ricjshawman who,clad in a shady holed vest and striped pants,was sleeping on the seat of the rickshaw. The spectre thin Ricksawman was from Bihar,whose voyage in the land of dreams, was disturbed by the growl of Ruchu. On hearing the growl of Ruchu, the frustration of abuses and insults hurled at him day long by passengers and traffic policemen erupted in the form of abuses for Ruchu in his local dialect. A poor man vents out his anger and frustration, experienced by him throughout the day on the person weaker than him. Here his anger burst on poor mute Ruchu, well knowing that this dog would not reply back. Ruchu was unable to comprehend the volley of abuses fired at it by the Rickshawman. Taking it to be the worst day of its life Ruchu took it calmly and resolved to leave that place at once. As it started to move Ruchu heard the voice of Rickshawman beckoning it towards him. Rickshawman got up from Rickshaw, as his sleep was disturbed and took some water from a bottle. Suddenly pitying Ruchu, Rickhawman gave half a roti from his left over dinner. Coming to the side of the Rickshaw Ruchu took the roti gratefully as it was nectar and manna for it. There were tears in its eyes while taking that half roti. Ruchu did not know that it will have to go through a number of phases of difficult times and struggles in near future and it will have to adept and adjust with the changed circumstances. Rickshawman fondled Ruchu by moving his hand over its head with affection and allowed it to sleep under the Rickshaw. As night had fairly advances so the traffic on the overbridge had thinned as only fewer vehicles were moving on it. Bull was also dozing off by by hanging its neck on one side. Ricksahwman also started snoring within five minutes as he was dog tired after a tiring hard work of whole day. The sleep that is ‘balm of nature’ gives comfort to the rich and the poor alike without any discrimination. But Ruchu due to hunger was unable to sleep soundly but a time comes in the night when sleep conquers all, including hunger, and that happened with Ruchu too as after midnight sleep defeated hunger in this strange tug of war. After midnight ll three- Ruchu, Rickshawman and the Bull were sleeping peacefully at their respective places in the sweet region of sleep. Once when you enter the arena of sleep the difference between the Kingly palace, poor man’s hut and even the road is erased. Everywhere there is reign of comfort and peace till the Sun uncle rises in the east in the morning.

In the far eastern horizon the divine aurora was visible and people and traffic has started moving sparingly on the road. Old religious minded pious women were moving towards the temple for their morning prayers. A newspaper hawker passed just by the side of rickshaw ringing the bell of his cycle and singing a popular bollywood song. The sound of the bicycle bell had wkened Ruchu as it signalled another day long encounter with the cruel hard world for its survival. Rickshawman had woken up early in the morning so as to complete his morning rituals and ablutions in time so as to get early passengers in the morning so as to ensure that he gets adequate income during the day so as to enable his large family living in the far off village male the both ends meet easily. Ruchu looked towards the lamp post and found that the bull had disappeared from the lamppost. Earlier the morning used to be mile and biscuit time for Ruchu but now in changed circumstances it was even beyond the dream to imagine such a thing, Ruchu was unable to decide what to do next ? So it decided to sit leisurely under the rickshaw for some more time till the sweepers came and forced it to move from its place with their sharp and hard bamboo brooms. Ruchu also saw that these sweepers were pointing their brooms threateningly at the Rikshawman forcing him to move his rickshaw from that place. After a brief argument Rickshawman moved his vehicle from that spot and while moving his vehicle his eyes met the eyes of Ruchu and Ruchu saw a strange attraction in the eyes of the Rickshawman , so it came out from under the Rickshaw and stood near the legs of the Ricksahwman, wagging its tail with affection as it used to stand near the legs of Ramdin earlier. Rickshawman fondled Ruchu’s head with affection in return that indicated that the day had began on a favourable note, though still it could not get anything to fill its tummy but Ruchu had succeeded in getting precious affection of somebody in this cruel, hard and strange world. Sun had come in the sky and it was again ready to commence its countless marathon of the day. The harsh sound of vehicles plying on the road warned Ruchu to be ready for the day long struggle. Soon the traffic over and under the bridge increased. Ruchu was feeling the sharp pain of hunger in its belly by this time and it came to a vendor selling tea, poha and other edibles. Hunger forced Ruchu to move towards the Vendor’s shop. Near the Vendor three to four people were sitting on rickety, feeble chairs sipping hot cup of tea. One plump man ,smoking a cigarette, was discussing the menace of rising pollution in the town. Five to seven people were surrounding the cart of the Vendor demanding Poha that was the indication that this man prepared good and healthy snacks for morning breakfast and he was quite popular with his customers. If Ruchu’s nose had been normal it would have enjoyed the sweet aroma of the edibles but it was utterly helpless. Guided by hunger as Ruchu came near the Vendor’s cart, a man protested and asked the Vendor to shoo away the stray dogs from this place so that they can take their breakfast in peace. Very next moment Vendor gave a sound kick to Ruchu that made Ruchu wince with sharp pain as the attack was sudden and Ruchu was not ready for it. Due to this sudden and unexpected attack,that had hurt his mind and soul more than the physical hurt forced it to move away from that place at once. Ruchu did not remember any moment in its life when it had received such a humiliating and insulting kick from anybody. Saddened and disappointed Ruchu moved away from that spot at once. While coming a child’s voice fell on Ruchu’s ears, who had come to buy snacks with his father saying, ‘ see papa, what a grand hound, why not take it to our house’. On hearing these words Ruchu stopped at once hoping that it would finally get a permanent shelter again and it even came towards them wagging the tail. But suddenly man replied,’ no, my dear son, we cannot take any stray street dog to our house’. With that Ruchu’s skyscraper of hope of getting permanent shelter dashed to the ground at once. Ruchu could not proved to son-father duo that it was not an ordinary dog of the street. Very next moment it came into its mind that even if it had been an ordinary stray dog of the street, nobody could have taken away the ‘Right to Live’ from it. Almighty must have created the entire universe with some rationale but ignorant and foolish man weighs everything on the scale of selfish interests. A line of hatred appeared briefly on Ruchu’s face as it started moving away from that place without looking back. For next couple of hours Ruchu wandered aimlessly in the streets like its other fellow beings. Now hunger was troubling Ruchu that sharpened when it saw people eating things at various places. After moving on the highway for quite a long time, it moved into a narrow street lined with large rumps of the houses situated on the sides. Seeing it Ruchu smiled to thing that if man had power to encroach he would have swallowed up the entire street. As Ruchu crossed the couple of houses a girl’s voice fell on its ear , who had perhaps come to throw a cold, stale piece of bread. Moved by hunger Ruchu reached near her promptly and girl threw the bread at it apprehending that it may bite her. Ruchu saw the roti lying in the dust and put its nose instinctively but then it remembered that its nose is not working any more and that primarily was the cause of his misery. Ruchu took that roti, that was eight to ten days old as a layer of fungus had deposited on it. Ruchu, despite the hunger, decided not to take that Roti and abusing the miser mistress of that house in its mind moved away leaving that Roti in the dust. Street was circular but Ruchu could not get anything to eat even after taking the round of the entire lane. Now it appeared to Ruchu that it had committed a folly to leave even that cold, stale , contaminated piece of bread as it was now no longer the privileged and trained dog of the Police Department of some elite dog of a millionaire living in a palatial mansion, so now it cannot afford to make choices or show attitude. Its condition was quite similar to the state of a beggar who could not make any choice and must accept whatever he gets. Now it was high time that it should accept the reality that and adept itself as per new changed circumstances. So Ruchu once more turned towards that house, where the little girl had thrown it, but to its utter surprise it had already taken up by a cow. So Ruchu could not do anything except lament on the lost opportunity. The Sun was shining in its full splendour in the sky and Ruchu, spotting a shadowy corner decided to rest there for some time. But hardly Ruchu had made itself comfortable at this spot when a pebble thrown by a mischievous school boy hit it causing sharp pain in its leg. Perhaps these school going kids were practising their aim or perhaps taking revenge of their thrashing received by them at their homes by their parents or at the school by their teachers. Ruchu in pain and anger moved quickly towards the kid and taken aback by that unexpected attack, kid moved back and lost the balance and fell on the ground and panicked and started yelling at once. Seeing a child fallen on the ground a couple of man shooed away Ruchu and said,’ these street dogs are getting aggressive day by day. Municipal workers are too worthless to do anything effective to rescue people from stray dogs’. Another fellow added while aiming a pebble at Ruchu,’ these stray curs have made lives of common people difficult’. Seeing the pebble coming towards it, Ruchu thought it wise to retreat and so it turned around. Ruchu was unable to comprehend why human beings do not accept their follies, If it had choice it would certainly would not have wanted to become such a human being who cannot accept their mistakes and punish the real culprits and do justice.

At the turning of the next street , a voice fell of a child fell on Ruchu’s ears saying, ‘ Oh! Ruchu, certainly it is our Ruchu’. Ruchu turned to see a group of kids coming from the school as the joy of learning could be discerned easily on their faces. These words consoled Ruchu a lot atleast there was somebody in this cruel world who was owning it. As kids came near Ruchu, it could easily recognise that the boy taking its name was none other than kids of its former master Ramdin- Ronak and Rahul who came occasionally to see Ruchu in Police Lines. Ruchu and Rahul fondled Ruchu by moving their hands on the head of Ruchu, and it returned their affection by wagging its tail vigorously. Other kids were also encouraged to touch Ruchu, though with some fear. Randin’s elder son Ronak was telling his friends, ‘do you know we wanted to keep Ruchu with us but our mother did not budge’.One of the Kids too added sadly, ‘Yes, my mother too does not like Canines’. Suddenly Ramdin’s younger son Rahul took out tiffin box from his bag and placed the left over food- half roti and some vegetable-from his tiffin before Ruchu. All the Children understood at once that Ruchu was hungry they way it ate eagerly. But with that an idea also came to them that they can conveniently escape scolding from their mothers at home for bringing unfinished tiffins from school by giving the leftover food to Ruchu. Other kids also offered leftover meals from their tiffin boxes that Ruchu accepted with pleasure and gratitude. Soon a couple of hounds appeared only God knows from where and threatened Ruchu but they were driven away by the children. Ruchu now had nearly its fill and now it was ready to struggle for the whole day. Kids continued to play with Ruchu till a warning voice of a lady- perhaps mother of one of the kids – was heard that dispersed the kids with fear that if they will get late in reaching their homes there is possibility of getting a sound thrashing from their mothers and as they had enough of thrashing already at school today , so they were in no mood to get one more thrashing. So they moved quickly to their houses by bidding farewell to Ruchu but with a promise to meet it again in the evening.

Ruchu stayed there for some more time till a couple of street dogs came barking at him claiming their hold over that area, as Ruchu was not in mood to fight so it moved away towards the main road where a crowd had collected as it seemed two bikes have collided and both the bike owners were arguing with each other to the amusement of the watching crowd. Ruchu too stopped to watch the scene when Police Van, hooting its siren arrived on the scene of accident. The sound of the hooter was a familiar sound for Ruchu and that sound made it remember the times when it used to go with pride in the Police Van to round up the criminals. Next moment Police Van stopped and a couple of Cops came out of the van and started dispersing the crowd. A Police Sergeant , sitting in the Van was saying,’ we would have reached the scene of crime along ago but we have been delayed due to this idle crowd who have no other work but to watch the quarrel of the people.

Ruchu saw its former colleagues Sheru and Jabanj sitting in the rear cabin of the Police Van. Bothof them smiled with vanity and reproach at Ruchu as Ruchu was now a common street dog in their eyes while they were specialised trained dogs of the department. Ruchu had no option but to acknowledge the reality but there was a time when Ruchu looked down upon both of them and prided itself in its special sniffing power. Ruchu had comprehended perfectly well that time is the most powerful force in the world. With embarrassment and humiliation Ruchu threw one last look at the Van carrying Sheru and Jabanj. Both the constables after clearing the crowd while returning to Van noticed and recognised Ruchu at once. One of them uttered in sympathy, ‘ Poor Ruchu, let us give it something to gobble.’ Though they called Ruchu, but Ruchu with injured and hurt dignity considered it proper to move away from that place by ignoring them.

After moving a few yards Ruchu turned into a street fearing that if it will remain on main road it might have to encounter Police Van again as it avoided humiliation before Sheru and Jabanj. Ruchu had been a detective dog, though it had lost its sniffing power but still it was a trained dog of the Police Department and so full of other virtues like keen observation, sharp ears and a quick eye. Ruchu was observing the streets that contained the house of his former master Ramdin besides other houses and the highway keenly as it considered this to be its area of responsibility as it had to remain there till it gets some stable and durable shelter. After crossing a narrow and vacant lane as it prepared to enter adjoining street it was greeted by three to four spectre thin dogs who came at it barking ferociously suddenly as if giving warning and throwing challenge to Ruchu. Barking of the canines broke the silence of the street as it was tie of afternoon when children and housewives were busy either in taking afternoon siesta or on the mobile phones and menfolk had done to work. Ruchu was slightly upset at this sudden disturbance in silence caused by the barking of the street hounds and at the same time it smiled at the foolishness of these dogs and the entire Canine world of their tendency of controlling an area. One of the dog who appeared to be the leader of the gang moved firmly towards Ruchu warning Ruchu by keeping its tail straight. Ruchu did not move or show any reaction to their barking but still it was alert though these four spectre thin curs of the street were unable to do any real harm to it. They were unable to why Ruchu did not move even after their ferocious barking and now their leader was confused how to deal with the situation. Normally in such a situation a fight ensues and the vanquished side has to retreat with tails folded between their legs. But Ruchu was neither taking up their challenge by commencing the fight nor it was succumbing before them and nor it showed any fear of its rivals. It appeared to them as if Ruchu was making fun of them by completely ignoring their identity. In enthusiasm a dog advanced towards Ruchu while other dogs barked at it loudly, so it occurred to Ruchu that the continual barking may disturb the peace of the residents and if they come in the street then all of them will have to run away. So Ruchu straightened its body, took a step back preparing to assault the advancing cur opening its jaw fully and growled dangerously at this hound. This step force the advancing cur to retreat with tail folded between its legs it went behind its leader. In a few seconds the battle ended as these four spectre thin street dogs considered it prudent to withdraw. As Ruchu did not intend to set up its control over that area nor it wanted to drive away these dogs from that area, so Ruchu walked away before them like a victor keeping its tail straight before these dogs . These curs were unable to understand why despite winning the battle Ruchu had walked away like a victorious General and they watched submissively the regal gait of Ruchu as it marched before them.

As the Sun moved towards the western horizon, it was time of evening and time of playing for the children, who came out of their houses and moved towards the playing ground though over the years number of children playing in the ground had declined sharply due to mobile addiction of the modern times. Ruchu took the victory lap after its first triumph in the streets aimlessly and as it was tired it decided to take some nap under a car parked in the front of a house situated in the street that also had Ramdin’s house in it. A sweet brief cat nap took out weariness from the body and the familiar voices of children going to playground awakened it and it felt energised and fresh after the brief nap.

‘ Today, I’ll bat first, as I own the bat’, said Randin’s elder son Ronak gleefully by moving his bat in the air proudly before his friends.

‘ It means that you will not respect the out come of the toss’ chipped in another boy as he wanted to challenge Ronak half heartedly as his wavering voice was barely supporting his views, over the age old convention that ‘who ever owns the bat, will bat first’.

‘ Bro is saying right, we’ll bat first’ added Ramdin’s younger son Rahul backing the views of his elder brother and put forward his claim by saying, ‘ I am the youngest so I’ll bat first’. Thus Rahul used the trump card of being the youngest in getting batting first as it was another unwritten law among the children that the younger kids should get the opportunity to bat first.

‘O.K but first of all let us move towards the playing ground rather than wasting time here’. Ronak gave verdict waving his bat in the direction of the playground.

As they reached the end of the street they Ronak and Rahul exclaimed,’ Oh! It is our Ruchu, O’ yes, see friends it is our Ruchu’. All the children bounded with joy at seeing Ruchu sitting at the end of the street. Hearing the voices of the kids Ruchu came near them delighted at the thought that it was able to meet the kids within the span of four to five hours. Ruchu, wagging its tail, was moving around the legs of Ronak and Rahul affectionately. One little boy too wanted to touch Ruchu but he was unable to muster enough courage to do it. Reading the wish in his eyes, Ronak encouraged him by saying, ‘don’t be afraid, it is our Ruchu, it will not harm you’. In the next five minutes all the kids got familiar with Ruchu and were fondling Ruchu by moving their hands on its back with affection. Thus began a new epoch of friendship between Ruchu and kids.

Ronak invited Ruchu to join then for playing in the field by saying, ‘ come on Ruchu, let us move towards the ground to play the game of cricket’. So all the kids walked towards the playing field in rapid strides and Ruchu following them closely.

At one time this ground owned by municipality was quite large but gradually it shrunk due to people’s tendency of encroaching on public land. Today also in one nook of the ground cattle were grazing leisurely and in another corner a few children belonging to other streets were playing Cricket.

‘Oh!, it is our misfortune’ wailed a child at seeing no place for them in the ground to play. All nodded in approval but Ronak’s keen eyes discerned a vacant corner in the ground and if the cattle are dispersed they will get adequate place to play. All children again nodded their head in approval but who will bell the cat that is who will make effort to drive the cattle away from the ground. Before Kids say another thing, Ruchu understood at once what was expected from it and commenced running towards the cattle in a threatening manner barking at them loudly and furiously in its bid to become the hero of the kids by chasing away the cattle. Beasts grazing peacefully in the ground were taken aback by the sudden and unexpected assault and they dispersed quickly. Their owner busy in mobile phone chewing tobacco leisurely came forward to drive back Ruchu when he saw cows leaving the play ground. But cattle owner did not know that Ruchu was an ordinary dog but it was a police trained investigative hound. It had capability to handle diverse situations and it had even beaten lethal terrorists many times, so this tobacco chewing cattle owner was nothing before it. When Ruchu opened its jaw and jumped at the cattle owner, he fell on the ground and his mobile phone fell out of his hand on the ground, he got up quickly and turning started following his retreating cattle without caring even to pick up his mobile.

‘ O’ Uncle, at least take your mobile phone’ called Ronak picking up mobile from the ground’. Dazed the cattle owner took his mobile from Ronak while keeping an eye on the movements of Ruchu. Kids got the space to play in the ground due to the courage and bravery shown by Ruchu who had become hero for the Kids by this valorous act.

‘ This, your Ruchu is simply wonderful’ said a child.

To it Ronak replied saying gleefully with pride,’ Were you taking me lightly? My father has trained Ruchu. Rahul embraced Ruchu who was bounding with joy and sticking out its tongue in affection. After the ground was liberated from the cattle, it reverberated with the shouts of the joy of the kids. As decided earlier the team of Ronak and Rahul got the chance to bat first without caring for the toss. This undeclared law was quite effectively prevalent in small towns. During the game Ruchu stood at the corner of the field and whenever ball came towards it, it picked up the ball in its jaw and brought it back to the bowler promptly. It even caught a ball in its jaw once by diving and catching it in the mid air making the ground echo with a loud applause by the audience and players alike by saying, ‘What a great catch?’. The players of other teams also applauded Ruchu by saying, ‘Great ! This dog is a nice player. Whose dog is it ? I haven’t seen it here earlier.’ commented a grown up player of the team playing near Ruchu’s team.

‘ Bro, this is our Ruchu’ responded Ronak proudly holding his claim over Ruchu and Ruchu backed him up by wagging its its tail.

‘Bro, its name is Ruchu’ added Rahul to show his presence and importance. Now Ruchu had become a hero of the Kids playing in the ground and even unknown children were coming to fondle and show affection to Ruchu and Ruchu acknowledge it like a celebrity film star by wagging its tail and bowing its head before them.

Suddenly one child, observing the setting Sun in the western horizon cautioned other children by saying ‘now let us move towards our homes, as evening is about to descend soon.’

‘Yea friends , we should start moving towards other homes lest our mammy will come’ said a little child with concern in his eyes that made Ronak smile and add, ‘ O’ timid one, don’t be afraid so much’. On hearing it Rahul’s eyes met with his elder brother Ronak and he understood at once as he pointed in the direction of their houses to which they must start moving lest their mothers may come and give them a sound scolding and thrashing in the ground itself before other people.

On getting Rahul’s message in sign language, Ronak told the boys, ‘ Today, we had enjoyed the game very much. Tomorrow we’ll come early and play on entire field’. Everybody nodded in approval and even Ruchu wagged its tail to show its consent.

O’ Brother, will you take Ruchu to your house’ asked a boy who lived in Ronak’s neighbourhood. It was quite a serious issue as both Ronak and Rahul knew it well that it was beyond their power to take Ruchu to their home due to their mother’s intense dislike of the dogs. So it was not only beyond their power but even beyond the power of their father to defy their mother by taking Ruchu home. ‘O.K first of all let us start moving towards their houses’ said Ronak to the children though he knew very well that he will not be able to do anything about providing a permanent shelter to Ruchu. Obeying Ronak children moved from the ground towards their houses in silence with Ruchu following them with a hope. Suddenly Ronak asked the child walking beside him,’ O’ Himanshu, Can you keep Ruchu in your garage for the night’.

‘ O, no brother, my mother will turn me out of the house as she hates the dogs’ dismissing Ronak’s proposal instantly and Ruchu’s hope of getting permanent shelter for a night atleast were dashed to the ground. Ruchu’s heart was at the breaking point once again. Turn by turn all the proposals to keep Ruchu in their homes were turned down on one or the other excuse by the children. All children have left leaving only Ronak and Rahul with Ruchu. Addressing Ruchu, Ronak said in a sad tone fondling Ruchu’s head,’ Ruchu, you sleep somewhere else today, tomorrow I’ll make some arrangement for you certainly’. Both Ronak and Ruchu knew it very well that it was no solution , it was just a postponement of the problem as tomorrow too they will not be able to do anything about it. With these words Ronak and Rahul entered their houses leaving Ruchu alone in the lane. There was silence in the street for the some and in the flickering lamplight of the street in the dusky evening was creating a scene of some horror bollywood film. After some time loud voices of arguments were heard from the nearby houses that indicated to Ruchu that now it was not proper to stay in lane and so it moved aimlessly towards the highway.

As Ruchu came on the main road, he remembered the Rickshawman and a ray of hope sprouted in its heart. Ruchu soon reached the lamppost under the flyover soon and saw Rickshawman was taking his evening meals on the seat of the Rickshaw and while eating humming some tune of some folk song in his local dialect to entertain himself after day long of tiring work. Ruchu heaved a sigh of relief on finding that today bull was not there under the lamppost. As soon as Rickshawman saw Ruchu he invited it with affection to join him in his meals.

‘ Ae, ae, le, le, will you take something.’ Responding to Rickshawman’s invitation Ruchu came near him wagging its tail in affection. Though Rickshawman had met Ruchu only twice but he invited it to share meals as if it was an age old acquaintance whom he had met after a long time. Rickshawman used to bring meals from the charity canteen that provided the meals to poor people at concessional rates. Rickshawman place a roti and a some vegetable, leftover from his meals on a paper before Ruchu and fondled Ruchu’s head with affection.

‘You take it, I’ll just come after washing my hands’ instructed Rickshawman to Ruchu as he left the rickshaw to clean his hand at the lamppost with a water bottle in his hand. Hungry Ruchu took the meals with joy and gratitude. Suddenly a car stopped on the overbridge, down came the windows and some roties were thrown out of it and the car moved on. It was a jackpot of Ruchu who jumped at once to grab these chappaties gratefully and took them near Rickshaw and started eating them. It appeared to Ruchu that Almighty God, whom Ramdin used to thank frequently, was travelling in that car that brought these chappaties. Now rickshawman was lying on the seat of his rickshaw gazing in turn at the sky and at Ruchu turn by turn. By then Ruchu had finished its meals.

‘ You know, the firmament in our village is crystal clear and full of shining starts’, said Rickshawman communicating his feeling to Ruchu, as nobody was ready to listen him as silently as Ruchu, though Ruchu could not make out what Rickshawman was trying to say. Copying Rickshawman’s gesture Ruchu too started looking towards the sky.

Pleased with Ruchu, Rickshawman spoke moving his hand over Ruchu’s head with affection, ‘ You’re a good friend’. Ruchu was plesed to get this compliment and responded to him by moving its neck towards Rickshawman.

Rickshawman lamented with a heavy heart, ‘ here you can see at the most two or three stars in the firmament. What to do friend, one has to leave his village to earn livelihood and feed his family otherwise who wants to leave his native place’. He continued to stare at the sky for some more time in complete silence that was only broken with the humming of the insects.

He further said addressing Ruchu, ‘ whenever I get opportunity, I’ll take you to my village, my younger daughter will be glad to meet you’. Now the wearied Rickshawman was descending into the peaceful dale of sleep and set on timeless journey for the night. Night was getting cooler and Rickshawman was still humming some folk song in his local dialect Bhojpuri. In next ten minutes both Rickshawman as well as Ruchu were embraced in the arms of sound sleep to the music of the humming insects.

Twittering of the birds woke both Rickshawman as well as Ruchu early at 5 a.m in the morning. Stretching his body Rickshawman looked under the rickshaw addressing Ruchu, ‘ Bro, sometimes it appears that night bridges the gap between the rich and the poor and it integrates them as both of them get same peaceful, soothing sleep, that is balm of nature, without any distinction. Everybody gets the peaceful sleep alike whether he is a King living in a luxurious palace or farmers living in hovels or people like Rickshawman and Ruchu sleeping on the ground. Sleep like balm of nature soothes everybody without any discrimination but it is day that separates and divides humanity into various groups of the Rich and the Poor.’ Ruchu was listening to Ricjsahwman’s harangue like an attentive pupil though everything was getting over its head. But till ricksahw continued his morning lecture,’ this struggle and tiring race for survival and hard work to make both the ends meet, is the creation of day, but you will not understand anything as you are fortunate that you are not a human and hence to you poor or rich is nothing’. Closing his lecture Rickshawman departed with a loud laugh at himself for addressing a mute animal as he left to finish his morning ablutions.

Lying under the Rickshaw, Ruchu was thinking that its problems with the rising of the day begins too and some of its problems are identical with the problems of the human race, but even a human being cannot comprehend a dog’s pain properly. For a few moments Ruchu recollects its comfortable past but it wanted to forget its past as ea unsavoury rly as possible as the sweet memories of its past were making its present life bitter and. In the next hour Rickshawman came back after completing his daily routine of morning ablutions and set out to work to get early traffic in the spirit of ‘early bird catches the fly’. Ruchu was hoping that Rickshawman would bring something to eat and it too would get something out of that breakfast, but he did not had time and money to squander on breakfast. After taking the round of the overbridge Ruchu came on highway. It decided not to go to Snack Vendor today and so it moved just in opposite direction to Snack Vendor and wandered there aimlessly on the road for some time.

While moving aimlessly on the road, Ruchu observed that on one corner of a street,an old crippled man with a hammer, anvil and nails, was squatting under a neem tree. He had come only a few moments earlier and was cleaning the space around him with a broom. Ruchu saw to his surprise that this man swept the space in a sitting posture and then the fact dawned on it that the man had no legs and was unable to take even one step on his own. On seeing the miserable state of this poor invalid man Ruchu forgot its problems for some time and mustering courage it moved closer to him. Seeing Ruchu coming quite close to him, old man was taken aback at once but seeing a strange light of sympathy in its eyes he did not drive him away. The old man gestured with his broom to Ruchu to come near him and sit there. Ruchu who was now experience in understanding the human language knew it well that it was an affectionate invitation and not a sign of rejection. Like an obedient child Ruchu came near the old man and sat near him. This old invalid man, who was a cobbler could read at once that Ruchu was not an ordinary dog. Perhaps it belonge dto some rich man and lost its way to its home. He allowed it to sit near him in the hope that if some rich man comes in search of his lost dog then he may find it there and on finding it there haply this man ma y reward him adequately. Near the spot where Ruchu was sitting a heap of old and broken shoes to be repaired was lying there. Seeing the heap Ruchu could get that this man was a cobbler by vocation whose work was to repair the broken shoes and other foot wear.

In next half an hour the Cobbler Shop became totally functional as footfall increased in the street with the advancement of the day. From a last few years when one could get shoes in shops and malls the vocation of cobbler was on the decline as fewer people preferred their shoes to be repaired and reused. There was a growing tendency among the people to throw away the old shoes , instead of getting them repaired and to buy new ones that affected the cobbler’s trade adversely. His only hope was people belonging to lower middle class or lower class who still preferred to get their shoe repaired instead of replacing them with new ones. But then poor people belonging to these classes had poor paying capacity so they bargained hard on the cost of the repair.

Suddenly Ruchu looked up at getting a voice, ‘ O’ Brother, my straps of slipper have come out, kindly fix them’ demanded a middle aged man, who was going to his work as daily wage casul labourer. Throwing a glance on the slipper Cobbler told this man,’ repair will take five rupees’. Perhaps he was in a hurry to go to his job so he cajoled cobbler by saying,’ O.K but please repair it quickly’. As this man took off his slippers Ruchu came forward before the cobbler or customer could get anything it held the slippers in its jaws placed respectfully before the cobbler as Ruchu did not want that Cobbler should drag himself forward to get the slippers and Ruchu had done this work in an instant.

“O’ this creature is quite intelligent’, uttered in the middle aged customer in surprise.

‘ So it is’, replied the frail old cobbler moving one hand on its back with pride and affection.

After some time children started coming out of their houses as school opening time was approaching. Some of them were riding bicycles while four to five of them followed them discussing yesterday’s cricket game loudly. All the voices appeared familiar to Ruchu as it knew that among them were the sons of his former trainer Ramdin. Ruchu got up and moved towards the the direction of the voices of the kids rapidly. Old Cobbler was surprised at this sudden move of Ruchu but it was too engrossed in his work to react.

‘O’Ruchu!’

‘ Our lovely Ruchu’. Rahul saw Ruchu first of all and all the children surrounded it. Ruchu was basking in glory like a film star acknowledging the greeting of its fans by wagging its tail vigorously.

‘ Kids, is it your dog’, asked the old Cobbler.

‘ Uncle, it is not an ordinary canine, it is our hero Ruchu’ said Ronak moving its hand on its back with affection and pride.

‘ Then are you going to take it with you’, asked the old frail Cobbler with a tinge of sorrow and loss in his voice.

There was sudden silence on this query of the Cobbler but recollecting his presence of mind Ronak replied , ‘ Uncle, at present, we are going to school, so you keep it securely with you, on returning from school we’ll take it from you.’

The old Cobbler nodded his head in consent and accepted the advise of the children and children were also happy that Cobbler had accepted the responsibility of keeping Ruchu for a few hours.

‘ Come, Mr. Ruchu’ the old Cobbler welcomed it again. Ruchu continued to watch the children till they disappeared when they turned into the lane of the school.

In next couple of hours only two customers turned up at Cobbler’s shop, restof time both Cobbler and Ruchu watched the people coming and going in the street.

After some time Cobbler opened his tiffin and out of his meals gave a roti and some vegetable to Ruchu and both of them started eating simultaneously in a perfect bonhomie. At the end of the meals, old Cobbler saved half chappati and gave it to Ruchu, feeling that it needed more than him by suppressing his hunger. Initially Ruchu showed his unwillingness to accept it but soon hunger overpowered unwillingness and it accepted chappati gratefully thinking about human beings. It was unable to understand why Almighty has created such diversity in human behaviour of different human beings. Ruchu finished the last piece of Roti after giving a glance to gratitude to Cobbler feeling that their condition is almost identical. Ruchu has reached this miserable state due to loss of its sniffing power while Cobbler is struggling in life due to the loss of his legs. But still Cobbler has not lost courage to struggle in life and overcoming the troubles in life successfully so far, that is why he always had a smile of contentment playing on his face.

Ruchu shook its body and resolved to prove its worth again by overcoming its shortcoming. Cobbler took a cat nap when he saw that there was no customer for a long time. Seeing him dozing Ruchu moved to take the round of three streets adjoining the highway in hope of getting something to eat as it was still feeling hungry. Shaking itself it moved silently without disturbing the Cobbler. Sniffing power, sharpness of ears and knowledge of direction in a canine is far better and superior than in a human being. Though Ruchu had lost sniffing power but still being a police trained dog it had other attributes as well. This highway and five to seven streets adjoining it had become practically Ruchu’s area. Ruchu moved towards the street containing Ramdin’s house knowing that at that time only Ramdin’s wife would be at home as children would be at school and Ramdin at his working place. Entire street was vacant and there was no edible object visible anywhere in the lane. On the left side of the lane was Ramdin’s house where his wife with a Roti in her hand was waiting for the cow to come and take it. Ruchu saw it with hope of getting it and barked affectionately at her, but it enraged her and she picked up a wooden stick to thrash it. Ruchu got it at once that it was not going to get that Roti, rather there are chances of being thrashed at the hands of Ramdin’s wife. Besides a cow and a bull-the same one who was with Ruchu at lamppost- were coming quickly to take that chappati. So Ruchu thought it to be safe to come out of the lane. Situation in the next street was also the same bit Ruchu saw a piece of stale chappati before one house. Perhaps the owner of the house had thrown it for cow but either cow did not enter that street or it could not spot it. So Ruchu took it as it had no other option at present. Ruchu had not only to save its existence in these streets but also to maintain its control over this area so that no other hound may chase it from this area as this area contained the house of its former master Ramdin as well as the house of his children friends. As Ruchu was eating Roti voices of barking dogs reached its ears it appeared as if there was a bitter fight going on between two gangs of dogs. After finishing its meagre meal Ruchu decided to visit the next street in order to participate in the fight. When it entered that lane Ruchu was that the gang of dogs, whom it had earlier vanquished were struggling hard to save their area from a gang of seven to eight rival dogs. At that time there was no human being visible in the entire street. Ruchu stood aside for a few moments to watch the fight. The rival gang was not only more in number but in power as well. They had beaten a spectre thin dog to the ground, who was lying in the dust while other dogs were protesting by barking ferociously. Ruchu’s keen eyes were observing everything but still it was not able to decide whether to continue watching this fight as a mute spectator, as like human being animals too have tendency to watch a quarrel, or to participate in the fight actively. At that moment the leader of the losing gang approached Ruchu, with its tail folded between its legs as if making appeal to Ruchu for help. Seeing the helplessness of this dog, who was bleeding profusely at the ears, as it had been bitten by the dog of the rival gang, the warrior in Ruchu awakened and it decided to help them as Ruchu had learnt during Police training that weak and humble should be helped. Ruchu even forgot the fact that these were the same dogs who had challenged its authority by barking at it a few days earlier. So it moved towards the leader of the rival gang by barking loudly at it and made an assault at it to rescue the spectre thin dog that was grovelling in the dust. And then forced the leader of rival gang to retreat by its attack with its powerful paws. Due to this sudden onslaught from au unknown quarter the rival gang was taken aback to see a sturdy dog supporting them. Ruchu’s onslaught raised the morale of the local gang and forced the outsider dogs to retreat. Within five minutes they not only beat the rival gang but the opponent team left the field submissively by folding their tails between their legs. Ruchu showed its grating teeth as a warning to the retreating gang no to make any such attempt in future. Local dogs got it at once that the dynamic leadership of Ruchu had enabled them to score victory against such a powerful rivals. So they accepted Ruchu as their natural leader and surrounded it and showed their gratitude by bowing their heads and wagging their tails. Though Ruchu was happy at this triumph but it was not in any mood to get involved with them by becoming their leader or boss of that area. After sinking the joys of victory for some moments and local dogs saw it waking regally like a victorious general after a mute unsigned treaty with them that whenever they will be in trouble Ruchu would come to help and protect them. Team had already acknowledge Ruchu as their hero and natural leader. Taking the victory lap around the lanes Ruchu found bread and biscuits, thrown by a little girl as the war reward.

After the victory lap Ruchu came back to Cobbler’s shop, who had awakened and was repairing the sandals of a lady.

‘These days companies are not manufacturing sturdy footwear as of bygone times’ lady customer was complaining to the Cobbler.

To it Old Cobbler replied in affirmative by saying,’ Very much correct’.

When Ruchu came near the lady, she was quite apprehensive and said,’ these stray dogs have increased in the town these days, drive it away’.

But old Cobbler replied reassuringly, ‘ Don’t be afraid Madam, it is my Ruchu a very sensible creature.’ Cobbler gestured it to come near and moved its hand with affection and commanded Ruchu, ‘ Ruchu, hand over these scandals to Madam’. Cobbler decided to exhibit Ruchu’s talent to this lady. Initially lady was fearful but the sophisticated way in which Ruche picked up the scandals in its jaw and placed respectfully before her, impressed her immensely. She exclaimed in wonder and surprise, ‘ O! It is more clever and sensible than even my pet Tommy.’ Ruchu was quite pleased at getting this complement and the packet of biscuit that it got as a reward from the lady as she departed after paying the Cobbler. For Ruchu getting the compliment and reward of a biscuit packet from a lady was like getting a noble prize.

For the next hour Ruchu took a brief nap and then watched people and vehicles going on the road. The sound of school bell fell on Ruchu’s ears that indicated the end of the school and his young friends would soon be meeting while coming from the school, so Ruchu moved from that place to meet kids as its joy doubled seeing the smiling and cheerful faces of children.

‘O’ lovely Ruchu, you are waiting for us’ exclaimed Ronak at seeing Ruchu coming towards him. Ronak stroked its head with affection. Ruchu lifted its forepaws to embrace Ronak as other kids surrounded it. Passers by in the street were watching this scene with surprise. Some kids opened their tiffins and gave their left over meals to Ruchu so that it can have its fill as today the quantity of food was more than yesterday.

‘ You know today I demanded an extra chappati from my Mom.’ spoke Chintu, who was Ronak’s neighbour, cleaning his specks.

Chintu laughing at his cleverness further said, ‘ I made excuse that due to tonic that I am taking regularly these days my appetite has improved, so I feel hungry at school, so my mother put an extra roti in my tiffin. If I had said that I wanted this extra chappati for Ruchu, she would never have consented to give it.’

‘ Hey,Chintu, do you think it is your idea ? We also have implemented this plan already in our house, Haven’t we brother’, chipped in Rahul, with Ronak nodding his head in consent. Now Ruchu’s tummy was full and it experience a new level of energy in it.

‘ Ruchu, now we are going home but after a couple of hours we will go to play to the ground, we’ll take you also.’ Rahul told Ruchu as it expressed its approval by wagging its tail and lowering its head.

Now Ruchu had to spend a couple of hours and it decide to escort the kids up to their houses and wait for them at the corner of the lane till they come out of their houses to play Cricket in the ground. Kids went inside their homes and Ruchu decided to take some rest by sitting under an electric pole. Ruchu was about to doze off when a stone hit it in the stomach causing it severe pain in belly accompanied with the sound, ‘ These stray dogs are becoming a menace in the town these days’ said a flat faced man, who had thrown the pebble at it. One of the two person accompanied him added, ‘ yes, yesterday a stray dog bit a child in the nearby street’.

Writhing in pain Ruchu was wondering why it was being punished for the deeds of some other dogs. The third man, a rotund pot bellied fellow commented,’ these municipal workers are lazy, good for nothing fellows, they should be catching stray dogs, but they do not come.’ Ruchu decide to leave that spot as it knew very well that if it will show some reaction then it will go against it as human beings do not accept their mistakes easily. ‘ I’ll talk to municipal authorities myself tomorrow and ask them to restrain these stray dogs and rescue citizens from their menace. These words hit Ruchu’s ears more sharply than the stone as it left that spot but it was filled with an apprehension of unformed fear. Ruchu had been living with human being from quite a long time and its experience showed that if a thing is repeatedly said by human beings it is surely to get implemented at least partially. Ruchu had heard of campaign of catching street dogs by the municipal authorities in the last few days and it may soon start. This thought made Ruchu uneasy and uncertain about its future as well as future of other dogs of the street who were members of its team. Only in a couple of days Ruchu had succeeded in adapting itself to the changed and new circumstances of its life. But hardly it had grown comfortable with the new situation when this thought of being caught by the municipal workers and to spend rest of its life as a prisoner troubled it. Upset at this thought Ruchu took a quick round of the streets in order to locate safe shelter during such emergency. It met its team members who showed respect to it by lining in front of it respectfully like courtiers with their heads bent and tails down.

‘ How innocent are these stray dogs?’ thought Ruchu at seeing them standing in a line as if they were giving then guard of honour to Ruchu. It stayed with them for some time but it did not trouble them by leaving any trace of its current worry. A good leader never appears nervous and worried before his followers.

No animal harasses other creature without any rhyme or reason. The only two reasons that move a beast to harm other creatures is hunger of fear of security and still they call them street stray dogs. With these thoughts Ruchu came back to the old Cobbler, who was also now preparing to call it a day by packing his shop and go home. As soon as Cobbler left the voices of kids coming out of their homes who were proceeding towards the ground to play Cricket fell on Ruchu’s ears. Ruchu at once came to knew time to play cricket in the ground has come. So leaving behind all apprehensions and fears Ruchu joined the lads with zeal. On the ground Ruchu was welcomed like a hero. Normally three to four teams played daily on the ground but today all of them decided to form one team and play all of them together. This change came only due to Ruchu. Ruchu’s main benefit was that it was a good fielder and obeyed other’s commands without any protest and above all it did not demand batting like other children. There were a few kids who would disappear after taking first on one or the other strange excuses. Ruchu nearly played for two hours leaving all the anxieties, fear and apprehensions behind like all other being on the ground.

‘Friends evening is about to set in. Let us end the game’, said one stout boy looking at the sky.

‘Very true otherwise army of our mothers will appear with rolling pins in their hands and give us a nice thrashing’, said Rahul smilingly at which the whole ground echoed with loud collective laughter. In next ten minutes ground was vacant and everybody was moving towards their homes. Ruchu was following them silently.

‘ Friends, my Mom was telling that tomorrow municipal workers are coming to catch dogs, Is it true?’ asked a boy to Ronak.

‘ My Papa was also talking about the same thing on phone with somebody’, said Chintu.

All these talks of Kids were troubling Ruchu its safety and safety of its team members.

Soon all kids too forgot their joy and were lost in worries of the next day.

Showing concern one kid said, ‘ If they catch our dear Ruchu?’

‘ No,we’ll never let it happen’ said Ronak though his voice shook, lacking confidence which was easily discerned even by Ruchu.

In the next few minutes all children were inside their homes. At the turning of the street Ronak threw a glance at Ruchu as if asking Ruchu to take shelter somewhere else. Ruchu understood at once and started moving like an obedient child towards the overbridge. Children had already fed Ruchu properly with biscuits and bread that its stomach was full at present. It decided to sleep under Rickshaw today also. As it reached near the spot Ruchu saw the bull standing under the lamppost. Mustering courage it moved near Rickshaw keeping a safe distance from the bull but bull did not react as it was busy with itself. Though Rickshaw was there but Rickshawman was missing. Ruchu was worried about him and for the first time Ruchu felt the loss of sniffing power otherwise it would have easily traced him. Then a thought struck it that if its nose and sniffing power had not gone it would still have been working as a privileged personnel of the Police Department. For the first time Ruchu felt helpless due to the loss of its sniffing sense. But this is life, if everything in life occurs as per one’s wishes the life would become dull and monotonous. It appeared to Ruchu that changed circumstances have made Ruchu not only sensible but a philosopher too.

Sitting besides the Rickshaw, Ruchu waited for Rickshawman. Its stare met with the stare of the bull. Today bull appeared to be in good mood but Ruchu did not do anything to disturb so it moved his eyes from the bull and as soon as it moved its eyes it saw Rickshawman coming, who appeared to be in quite hilarious mood exclaimed. ‘ O’ Babua, have you come? This time it had been a good crop in the village and my wife has informed that hopefully this year money lender’s loan would be fully paid’, said Rickshaw man to Ruchu as if relating things to other human being who was listening attentively. He continued conversing with Ruchu for nearly half an hour listened to him like an attentive and sensible audience and at interval did not forget to nod its head in approval though in reality nothing was going in its head.

In the sky moon had risen along with a few stars and there was a pleasant and moderate winter evening that had made the entire atmosphere poetic. Traffic on the road had decreased and Rickshawman from Bihar was humming some tune of a folk song in his local dialect. Wearied Ruchu too was getting sleepy as the bull was munching peacefully and when sleep overpowered Rickshawman, his song stopped altogether. But as he was in good mood today so whenever sleep broke he resumed the humming of his song. Suddenly three to four loud voices fell on Ruchu’s ears indicating some crisis, so Ruchu got up at once though Bull was still munching unconcerned. Rickshawman too was sleeping soundly due to day long bone breaking hard work.

‘ O’ Rickshawman’ shouted a fat ugly man shaking him vigorously. Another man added further, ‘ You are sleeping as if it is your grandfather’s house and that too before Jaggu Dada, you are sleeping peacefully while I am awake, this is my area, now cough out one hundred rupees quickly’. With that he pulled the hair of Rickshawman that brought him out of the sleep completely.

‘ Brother I am a poor man, why are you troubling me’, pleaded the Rickshawman meekly.

‘Bugger we know that you’re poor, that’s why we are demanding only hundred rupees lest we would have forced to fork out one thousand rupees from you’, said the third man pushing Rickshawman vigorously. Spectre thin Rickshawman due to that push fell on the ground. As he fell on the ground his eyes showing his helplessness met the eyes of awake and alert Ruchu. Seeing injustice on a weak man awakened the soul of a soldier in Ruchu. Though it had lost the sniffing power yet the alertness, agility, strength and good reflexes were in plenty in Ruchu.

So very next moment Ruchu came out from under the Rickshaw to onslaught the person, who had pushed Rickshawman to the ground and bit his hand. At this sudden attack from unexpected quarter this man got nonplussed and as he stepped back, lost his balance and fell on the ground with a resounding noise. By that time Ruchu jumped at the leader of the gang Jaggu Dada, who tried to save him by throwing a bottle at Ruchu but bottle missed Ruchu and instead the battle hit on the head of his third man and blood started flowing profusely from his head. The fourth man in nervousness ran towards the lamppost but there bull picked him on its horns and threw him forcefully. As the situation had changed completely and left alone Jaggu thought it wise to retreat but only after he got a resounding kick from the Rickshawman, and in his hurry to move away from that spot he even dropped his purse.

‘ You’ve done really well to save my dignity, Babua and the bull of Lord Shiva’, said the Rickshaw man to Ruchu and the bull gratefully with tears in his eyes. Picking Jaggu’s purse, Rickshawman found an amount of two thousand rupees and decided to spend this amount on both of his companions- Ruchu and the Bull who had come at the right moment to save his honour and dignity. Walking regally like a King around his rickshaw, Rickshawman sat on its seat but then suddenly he got down and embracing Ruchu started shedding tears. Ruchu could sense that day that the tears were also the language of love. After that he went towards the lamppost and touched the forehead of the bull with reverence and affection, the bull continued to munch fodder in a good temperament. The night had fully descended and within half an hour all three of them were lost in valley of sleep amidst the music played by nocturnal insects performing their night duty. If the day is good a person gets a sound, soothing sleep during the night too. Ruchu was sleeping under the Rickshaw, Rickshawman from Bihar was sleeping on the seat of the Rickshaw and the Bull under the lamppost. Rickshawman got up early even before the Sun rose and left his rickshaw to finish his morning tasks. Soon Ruchu too got up. Ruchu by shaking and stretching its body was getting ready for the struggle for another day. Ruchu threw a glance towards the Bull and saw that it was snoring soundly like a champion sleeper. Soon Rickshawman came with his hand full and it appeared that he had taken bath and was ready for another day’s struggle.

‘Take Babua, I’ve brought some biscuits for you’ said Rickshwman placing a packet of biscuit on a paper. With that he also moved his hands on Ruchu’s back with affection.

Then he went towards the bull saying, ‘ See, O’ Bull of Lord Shiva I’ve brought something for you too’,said the Rickshawman spreading a bundle of green grass before the Bull respectfully. All the three members of the victor team were enjoying their morning breakfast- Rickshawman taking Poha and sipping tea on the seat of the Rickshaw, Ruchu taking the Biscuits under the Rickshaw and the Bull munching the green fodder under the lamppost. Rickshawman was singing some devotional song in his local dialect and both Ruchu and Bull sat silently as if listening to Rickshawman’s music attentively with rapt attention.

Soon their brief span of peace and joy was disturbed by the gang of sweepers.

‘ Move your rickshaw from this place’ commanded one of the sweeper by pointing his sharp and rough broom at him.

‘ First you clean that part of the road, by that time we’ll finish our breakfast’ said Rickshawman to the leader of the gang confidently.

‘ O’ Rickshawman this road is not your personal property. Move your Rickshaw at once, we don’t have time to listen to your advise’, said one of the member of sweeper gang rudely.

Richshawman gestured to Ruchu by saying, O’ Babua teach these people some politeness and courtesy.

This was enough for Ruchu and it came out from under the Rickshaw and growling ferociously jumped at one of the member of the Sweeper Gang. This sudden and unlikely attack from this unlikely corner forced the members of Sweepers to run away quickly from there in fear.

‘ Don’t know why a poor man is poor man’s foe’ said Rickshawman looking gratefully at Ruchu as if asking for its opinion. On the other side of overbridge sweepers while sweeping the road were muttering almost inaudibly, ‘ today the municipal people will root out this menace for ever by throwing stray dogs out of the town, then we’ll see this Rickshawman and take our revenge’.

Ruchu got upset on hearing it particularly his anxiety and fear for the members of his team, who were innocent street stray dogs and easily vulnerable of being caught by municipal workers. Yesterday also Ruchu had heard about the campaign by the municipal workers to catch stray dogs from various people, and the feeling of being a victor of the fight of the last night had completely disappeared as it prepared to face the new challenge to save itself and its members from being caught by the municipality.

Rickshawman was totally unaware about this campaign and Ruchu was unable to communicate its anxiety or fear to the Ricksahwman. It could not even tell about this problem to Bull. So now it was clear that Ruchu will have to deal with this problem on its own resources alone and single handed. Then Ruchu remembered that it is not alone in this fight as there are three to four dogs of its team also of whom Ruchu was the leader. For a good leader the safety and security of his team comes first and foremost. Very next moment Ruchu moved towards its area after leaving the overbridge. It could not spot its team members in lane where Ramdin’s house was situated, then Ruchu went to neighbouring streets too and messaged its team members by barking in a particular way. Animal’s way of communication with its fellow beings is different from the human beings who communicate through a language.

Getting the message all team members of Ruchu, who were wandering in diverse streets, collected at once on one call of their leader. Ruchu like a good leader knew the need of boosting the morale of its team in times of the crisis, not to terrify them by exaggerating the situation. Ruchu’s gestures were followed by the members in word and spirit, without any question or doubt, as they had full confidence in their leader. In next half an hour Ruchu made a quick round of all the lanes spotting the hiding places with its preening eyes that could be used in the times of crisis. Besides Ruchu’s alert and quick ears were ready to locate any signs of crisis. It appeared to members of its team that Ruchu was looking for food and Ruchu did not reveal its true intention and allowed team members to spot any left over food thrown by the residents of the streets.

On the main road Ruchu stopped at Cobbler’s shop,who gave it biscuits and chappati to eat with affection. Though Ruchu took it gratefully but after eating it, Ruchu did not stay there for long as some voices of ‘Catch, catch’ accompanied by the noise of the engine of the tractor fell on its sharp ears. Ruchu comprehended at once that the municipal team with a campaign to catch stray street dogs has finally come. It also saw Four to five dogs running in diverse directions followed by municipal workers shouting loudly,’Catch them, stop them’. Tractor driver diverted the attention of workers by pointing towards Ruchu. Four persons with poles and net in their hand jumped from the tractor at once and came towards Ruchu. But Ruchu was quite alert and swift and poorly fed municipal workers were no match for him in speed. Ruchu had already sent its team members to safe hiding places. Ruchu also saw that in trolley a cage was placed in which half a dozen unfortunate victims of this campaign were looking utterly helpless. Ruchu was already prepared for this situation and it ran towards the street where Ramdin’s house was situated. Ruchu also knew that its team members not so alert and swift so it had already advised them to go to safe hiding places. Peace of the residents of the street was disturbed due to the noise made by shouting municipal workers who were chasing the dogs. On hearing the noise, Usha, wife of Ramdin, also cam out of the house along with other women of the street. Seeing the chase she uttered, ‘ It is good, worthless municipality has given thought on this menace and decided to take action on it’ .Thus Usha in a single sentence praised as well as condemned the municipality and its workers.

‘ O’ it is just a sham,they are doing it as an eyewash just to make people fool, as elections are nearing, that is why their spell of sleep has broken’ said a woman from across the street giving her expert opinion. All other women nodded in approval.

‘ It is utterly surprising that dogs coming towards this side have disappeared suddenly. Where have they gone?’, said a municipal worker in total disbelief looking on all the sides. Ruchu with its team were hiding under a car that was covered on all the sides by a canvas cover, so they coul dnot be seen by the chasing man. Suddenly one of the member of Ruchu’s team,unwittingly put out its tail from under the cover. It was seen by Usha, who quickly pointed towards that direction asking workers to move in that direction by saying, ‘see the tail of a dog hiding under the cover of the car. Ruchu got enraged both at Usha and foolishness of its team member, who was a lean and thin undernourished dog. So without wasting time Ruchu and its friends left that place. Municipal workers ran after them shouting ‘ Catch, catch, there they are’ and succeeded in grabbing a spectre thin member of their team. Ruchu heard the helpless cry of this cur and soon it turned around after pointing the other members to run towards the play ground and hide at diverse places. As municipal workers were trying to bind their catch Ruchu made an onslaught at them. Ruchu could have injured the worker by biting his hand but his main intention was to rescue its team member from their clutches. So they had no option but to leave their catch, and soon both Ruchu and spectre thin member of its team were running towards the playground to safety.

‘ How rascal are these dogs’ commented a passer by woman who was watching the scene.

‘Yes, these dogs are rascals for sure, but municipal workers should have come better prepared for such a situation’. Commented Usha, wife of Ramdin, condemning Municipal team. Meanwhile Ruchu had brought its entire team to safety as Ruchu was share that after its attack the campaign will take place on the streets only and not on the playing field where Ruchuand its team members were hiding as there were plenty of hiding spots in the playground and a number of ways to escape.

After some time Ruchu saw tractor with captive dogs moving back that indicated that atleast for today their campaign was over. Ruchu saw the going tractor from behind a bush where it was hiding from the catching team. After some time Ruchu and its members saw tractor passing before the playground with a number of dogs, looking miserably from behind the bars. Ruchu also located those dogs who had challenged it a few days ago were also behind the bars. A lean and thin member of its team expressed joy by barking at seeing those rival dogs behind the bars. Ruchu quickly reprimanded this member for being a dog why it considered other dogs as its foes. Other creatures, including human beings, take advantage of this lack of unity among the beasts. Then a question came to Ruchu’s mind why a human being becomes a foe of other human being when Almighty Creator has created a wonderful food chain for every creature to survive.

‘Some rascal dogs have escaped’ voice from the tractor carrying captive curs fell on Ruchu’s ears.

‘ Don’t worry, we’ll come back after a few days again and punish all the rascals by catching them. But first of all we will have to leave these in the forest, miles away from the town’ said another person pointing towards the captive dogs in the cage.

Ruchu heaved a sigh of relief as these words fell on its ears. For at least some time they can move freely in the streets without any fear though they will have to remain alert as this campaign may be resumed, seeing the upcoming elections, soon. It was also possible that these men may forget this campaign for ever as Usha,Ramdin’s wife, felt that the municipal workers are totally worthless who shirk from doing their duty properly. Soon all dogs moved towards that lane where there was possibility of getting food. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and the Sunlight appeared pleasant in moderate winter season.

Now Ruchu came towards the old invalid Cobbler friend. After finishing his meals Cobbler was closing his tiffin, when his eyes saw Ruchu coming towards him wagging its tail. Reopening his tiffin he placed a roti and left over vegetable before it happily. Ruchu was feeling weary after a log day of stress and tension of running and saving its friends, so it accepted Cobbler’s offerings gratefully and started taking it.

The sound of school bell indicated to Ruchu that school was over and it would be able to meet its young friends.

“O’ there is our Ruchu’ said Rahul drawing the attention of other kids towards Ruchu.

‘ Thank God, Ruchu is fine, I was praying to Almighty the whole day to keep Ruchu safe and secure by making his escape attempt successful’ said Ronak embracing Ruchu with affection.

‘ Nobody can touch Ruchu, till I’m alive’ said the old Cobbler enthusiastically that threw a smile on everybody’s face. After that children proceeded towards their homes but only after giving the left over extra food from their tiffin boxes to Ruchu and also with a promise to return in the evening to play in the ground. So now Ruchu’s tummy was full.

From the last few days mothers of children were pleasantly surprised to see surge in the appetite of their kids as they were demanding extra food in their tiffins leave aside bringing home unfinished tiffin box. Children has kept fact related to Ruchu a secret. Ruchu came with their children till it came before Ramdin’s house where Usha seeing it uttered with disgust,

‘ O’ from where this dog has come. Why nothing for good municipal fellows have left it’.

‘ Mommy, see it is our Ruchu, reared and trained by Papa’, said Ronak trying to explain to his mother meekly. But Usha was enraged and at the same time a motorbike came and stopped at one end of the street. It was Municipal Councillor of that are who tried to talk sweetly to Usha.

‘Madam, good day, today we had Stray Dog Catch Campaign by the Municipality’

‘Then what is it in front of you, a lion’ remarked Usha sarcastically to the Councillor.

‘ Don’t be angry lady, in two to four days we’ll have another phase of campaign to free the entire town from these stray street dogs. Our men will certainly take care of these creatures, you only care for me in the elections by voting in my favour’ addressed the Councillor to Usha in a meek and pleading voice and looking down on Ruchu in disgust, he ignited his motorcycle and moved on. Ruchu could not comprehend Usha hatred towards dogs. On one hand Ramdin took care of Ruchu as his own child while on the other hand his wife Usha did not want Ruchu to live peacefully even in streets. Ruchu did not know what god had in store for its future yet, what troubles and crisis it will have to face in its struggle to survive. Ronak and Rahul looked at Ruchu helplessly as they entered their house. In their eyes Ruchu could read invitation to play Cricket in the evening in the ground. It was still a couple of hours before Children would again come out of their houses to play in the evening. So Ruchu decided to go back to Cobbler for a while to pass his time.

As Ruchu was about to come out of the street a high speed bike nearly collided with it,if Ruchu had not been alert to move out of its way in time. But still Ruchu barked at the bike rider as a protest. Two people were riding this speeding motorbike and at the very first glance Ruchu’s sixth sense that something was wrong with these bike riders as they appeared to be criminal and abnormal sort of characters. It its nose had been normal it would have easily detected their intention. As Ruchu was thinking about them the bikers stopped in front of Chintu’s house for a few moments and after looking around for some time they moved away at high speed leaving a dark trail of smoke from the exhaust pipe of their bike. In the past Ruchu had caught a number of criminals and just by looking at their faces it could tell that their intention is not good, so seeing these bikers it grew suspicious of them too. But the problem was that it could not about the natur e of crime and time when they intend to commit that crime. Ruchu stayed there for some more time and finding everything normal and in order moved and came to the side of Old Invalid Cobbler and exhibited its talent to number of customers who came at his shop. But still he was apprehensive about the motor bikers who came at fast speed and stopped before Chintu’s house in an unusual manner. It was also apprehensive about the resumption of campaign of municipality to catch stray dogs of the street. Though there was peace everywhere but Ruchu did not know whether it was the permanent peace or peace before a storm.

However, still Ruchu went to play with the kids in the evening. Kids were happy that Ruchu succeeded in escaping municipal authorities and so they were enjoying the game fully without any fear of some dreadful incident that may take place in near future. But Ruchu’s eyes and ears got alert the moment it heard some motorbike. As he was more concerned about the safety and security so today it could not concentrate fully on the game that even affected its performance in the field as it dropped several catches.

Ronak anticipated by saying, ‘ Perhaps Ruchu is either tired or unwell today’.

‘Let us take Ruchu to Vet Doctor Uncle’, suggested Chintu while throwing ball towards Ronak.

‘ Today we’ll wait and see, if things do not improve,then we will trouble Doctor Uncle’, uttered Ronak throwing a glance towards Ruchu. Ruchu was thinking if it could tell its worries, and anxieties to the children. But then at second thought it chose not to disturb its friends by putting them into fears and anxieties like a true leader by telling them about it.

After the game was over children went to their homes,Ruchu took a quick round of the lanes to ascertain peace and order in its area, It was trying to visualise the nature of crime that the bikers intended to commit in this area. But finding nothing unusual or alarming Ruchu returned back to Rickshawman, who welcomed it as if he had met his close acquaintance after a long time and Ruchu also showed affection for him by wagging its tail while the bull was still munching unconcerned about the events taking place around it.

Darkness of the evening had descended in the sky. A distant moon was accompanied by a few smiling stars in the firmament and Rickshawman after taking his meals was humming some tune of his favourite song in his local Bhojpuri dialect. As night advanced Rickshawman went into deep and sound sleep amidst the music played by the nocturnal insects. Bull also had gone down the peaceful dale of sleep by closing its eyes but sleep was miles away from Ruchu’s eyes though it did not know the specific reason for it. Suddenly an idea struck Ruchu whether these bikers had come to recce Chintu’s house to commit burglary at the house during the night or day. On getting this thought Ruchu came out from under the rickshaw silently so as not disturb Rickshawman and the Bull and took a round of Chintu’s street. The entire lane was vacant nobody was either entering it nor leaving the street. Ruchu also looked at other houses too but found nothing suspicious. Ruchu also found the members of its gang sleeping peacefully under a lamppost. Seeing Ruchu there they collected quickly around their leader. Ruchu gestured them to be alert during the night and warn it if they saw anything unusual or suspicious in the street, especially alert about any beggars. Every member of Ruchu’s team nodded in approval, and after that Ruchu went back to the Rickshaw to sleep for the rest of the night. Next morning after getting up Ruchu again took the round of the street of Ramdin and finding everything normal it returned back. Seeing Ruchu coming Rickshawman spoke, ‘ Babua, where you had gone so early without taking breakfast and offered a few biscuits and Poha on the paper to it. Soon the town too awakened as the loud and harsh noise of the traffic on the highway increased. Life in the town was coming in rhythm for the new day. After finishing the breakfast Ruchu took another round of the lanes of its area and then it decide to go to the Snack Vendor’s shop.

The lorry of SnackVendor was crowded as usual. Suddenly Ruchu’s eyes spotted a bike standing at some distance that looked identical to the bike that it had seen yesterday. Ruchu saw that crowd standing around Snack Vendor Shop consisted of three to four kids, a few girls and some adults who were busy in snacks from the Vendor. Among them Ruchu also saw a familiar face of a young man that looked like one of the biker though his appearance was different from yesterday. Now Ruchu recognise the man at once as one of the biker but it was unable to spot another biker among the crowd. Ruchu kept a close watch on the activities of this young man. He went to the Vendor to buy a couple of Samosas and returned towards the bike. Seeing a mighty hound like Ruchu near the bike, he was seemed to be upset for some time, but quickly normalising himself and he started the bike and moved away. Ruchu could read something suspicious and wrong in the behaviour of this young man. Ruchu decided to chase that bike which was moving towards the play ground. Though Ruchu was following it but it kept a safe distance so as not to arouse any suspicion in him of being chased. Soon Ruchu also reached the playing ground and found that motorbike parked near a dark car at one of the corner of the ground, under the shadow of a tree. Ruchu was keeping a close watch on their activities without arising any suspicion in them that they are being observed. Motorbiker opened the door of the car where already three people were sitting inside it. Suddenly Ruchu saw that the driver of the car was none other than the second biker, whom Ruchu had seen peering into Chintu’s house a day earlier. Ruchu was certain that they were planning to commit some crime but how to know whether they were planning to commit some theft, burglary or some other crime. For next ten minutes car’s door remain closed and nobody came out. After half an hour Ruchu saw two men walking towards the dark car. Now Ruchu was certain that it is gang of five to seven people who come to town with the intention of committing some crime. After some time two men came out of the car and they were the same people whom Ruchu saw yesterday. They took the motorbike and rode away. After some time car too moved away from that place but strangely they moved in diverse directions. Ruchu was uncertain at first whether to chase motorbike or car but then it decided to pursue car that reached Ramdin’s street at a high speed. For a moment it slowed down before Chintu’s house but it did not stop altogether but it moved on rapidly. It came out of the main street to move towards the main road. Ruchu was continuously after this car but it stopped chasing the car after he reached old Cobbler’s shop. By that time Ruchu was certain that these people were recceing the area to commit some crime but what would be nature of the crime was still uncertain.

O’ Ruchu come here, my brave son’ called old Cobbler affectionately but Ruchu was too preoccupied in its thoughts to pay any attention to Cobbler and it went on to take another round of the area. Old Cobbler was taken aback and somewhat sad at the strange indifference of Ruchu towards him but as a customer had come so he got busy in dealing with the customer. Meanwhile Ruchu went to inspect Ramdin’s lane carefully and all the members of its team were cooperating with Ruchu in its mission. Lean and spectre thin dog of its team welcomed Ruchu by laying prostrate at its feet. As Ruchu had decided to prevent the potential crime with the help of its team, so it instructed the members of its team not to leave the street today and were asked to report any untoward and unusual development to Ruchu immediately. Lean and spectre thin dog was put on duty right before Chintu’s house. Currently street was almost vacant with very few people in it, as children were at school at this time of the day and menfolk would be at their work, so only women and a few senior citizens would be present in most of the houses at present. Ruchu after ensuring peace and delegating duties to the members of its team went back to spend some time with the old invalid Cobbler and took meals offered by Cobbler gratefully. For next couple of hours everything was normal but Ruchu’s eyes were constantly towards the entrance of the street containing Chintu’s house and got alert at the sound of a motorbike. At one time it even appeared to Ruchu that perhaps it had committed mistake by taking normal people to be criminal and no such undesirable incident is going to take place.

Suddenly the humming of the engine of the motorbike fell on Ruchu’s ears. As motorbike became visible it could make out at once that it was the same motorbike that it had seen a day earlier before Chintu’s house. Ruchu got up at once and went after the bike and found that it had stopped at the far end of the street near a electric pole. While Ruchu was trying to analyse the situation, the sound of school bell signalled the end of the school which meant that soon children will come in the street on the way from the school to their homes. Ruchu gestured its team members to be alert and follow its instructions. Young man riding the motorcycle did not put off the running engine of his bike. One of the rider was talking on the cellphone while the other was looking around cautiously and signs of nervousness could easily be discerned on the face of that man.

Ruchu heard the children’s voices as they entered the lane and Ruchu saw that just behind them the same dark car slowly entered the lane that Ruchu had seen in the playground. Ruchu’s alert mind did not take it long to comprehend that these people were not going to commit theft but they were after the children in their bid to perhaps kidnap some child. Children were talking among themselves and laughing imitating the gesture of some of their teachers at school. Suddenly car stopped and two men came out of the car, got hold of Chintu and by pushing other children tried to put him in the car. Ruchu took a quick leap with lightening speed and straight away entered the gate of the car. Following their leader the other members of its team also got active as one of them ran after bikers, as the thin dog tried to stop the car by coming before it but car recklessly went over its feet as it cried in intense pain.

Entering the car Ruchu straight away bit the hand of the person holding Chintu. Men in the car were suddenly taken aback from this sudden attack of the dogs unexpectedly as they had not taken the canine factor into consideration while planning their conspiracy. Ronak, Rahul and other kids started shouting and crying and soon there was chaos everywhere in the street. Meanwhile Ruchu after biting the hand of the person holding Chintu, also assaulted driver with its sturdy paws, as a result of which car lost its balance and collided with the electric pole with a loud bang and its doors opened. The other members of Ruchu’s team had rounded up the bikers and threatening to attack them by barking furiously at them and by making a ring around them. In this environment of chaos all the residents came out after listening to the bang of the collision of car and by the loud shouting and cries of the children and barking of the dogs. It was a coincidence that Ramdin was also at home on leave that day and he also came out of the house and soon rounded up the culprits in the car while other people nabbed other criminals who were trying to run away. Seeing Randin, Ruchu was filled with joy and zeal and wagged its tail with affection as Ramdin embraced Ruchu. Suddenly Usha also appeared Chintu’s mother. Somebody in the crowd informed the police authorities and soon police van came to nab the culprits.

Today Usha looked at Ruchu with affection and regret for her past behaviour towards it. Apprehensively she moved her hand on the hand and back of Ruchu with affection that made Ruchu forgot all its ill feelings and mistreatment towards it in a moment. Now Ruchu turned Ramdin’s attention towards its member whose leg had come under the wheel of the car and was shrieking loudly due to sharp pain it its leg as it was bleeding profusely. That lean dog was taken to the Vet Clinic at once by Ramdin and few other members of the colony. In another hour Ruchu’s acts of bravery and courage that averted an abduction bid spread throughout the town like wild fire. All the journalists, cameramen,leaders, officers assembled at Ramdin’s street to felicitate Ruchu who had become a celebrity and hero of the town due to its acts of courage and bravery. All cameramen busy in taking different poses of Ruchu and it too was obliging them like some celebrity.

Municipal Councillor of the area who also came greeted Usha by folding his hands.

‘ Greetings Madam that day you were very much correct by calling Ruchu a lion as it had proved by its acts of bravery and courage that it is nothing less than a lion’.

Usha was listening silently to the Councillor as he proceeded, ‘ but don’t worry Madam, we’ll start the campaign to catch stray dogs form tomorrow.

‘ Beware, even if you touch my dear Ruchu or its companions. They are member of our family now’, said Usha in warning voice to Councillor. This statement of Usha was reverberated by the shouts of joy from Ronak, Rahul and even their father Ramdin, who was happy to see the change of attitude in Usha towards Ruchu. Ramdin declared happily, ‘ Next week, it will be time to celebrate Diwali,and we’ll celebrate the festival of joy and light with Ruchu and its team members’.

There was atmosphere of joy in the street and thin dog had also returned from the clinic after getting its leg bandaged and getting treatment. It was coincidence that Rickshawman, friend of Ruchu took it in his rickshaw. Seeing Ruchu there he exclaimed joyfully,’ O’ Babua, what are you doing here ?’ When children related the whole incident to Rickshawman, he also related an incident in which Ruchu had saved him from hooligans. Seeing the crowd , the Old Invalid Cobbler also came by taking lift from someone.

‘ I’ll put up a proposal before the General Board of Municipality to honour and felicitate Ruchu at Diwali for its acts of bravery and courage’, said the Councillor as he put a piece of sweet in his mouth given by Usha.

‘That means our Ruchu will be hero of Diwali’, said Rahul gleefully.

‘ This year the joys of Diwali Celebrations will be doubled’, Chintu expressed his opinion enthusiastically.

For Ruchu this moment was just like the climax scene of some bollywood movie ending happily for everybody. Today its period of struggle was over as Ramdin took back into his family and Ruchu got an entire family besides the admirers both in human as well in brute world. Rickshawman from Bihar, crippled old Cobbler, children of the colony, and its team members became an integral part of Ruchu’s family. Now Ruchu was hero of the town, though it had lost its sniffing power, yet it had gained an altogether new world in the form of new friends. Ronak started Diwali celebrations right then by bursting a cracker that terrified Ruchu a bit as it was a sudden explosion but everybody laughed at seeing Ruchu aprrehensive.

‘ O’ our hero Ruchu gets afraid too’, said Usha embracing Ruchu affectionately.

For Ruchu it was like getting the entire world.

----------End--------