Sep 10, 2012

A media team led by Doves reported an atypical attack on Mynah’s nest on 28 July 2012. The news spread in every nook and cranny of jungle like a city on fire. The squirrel living on a Banyan tree had assisted in providing a nest for young Mynah’s private celebration. Cuckoos too had joined the fun as special invitees. However, their merriment was short lived. A brutal and unprovoked attack by Vultures left the young Mynahs and Cuckoos in wrecked condition.

There was no indication on what must have had led to this bizarre savage assault in the evening. The victims cried in humiliation and frustration. Vultures had battered their nest. Vulnerable birds were chased, pecked black and blue. Their feathers were plucked off.  The impact of attack had taken a toll on victims translating into painful cuts, bruises and swelling. The Mynahs and Cuckoos felt helplessly low after physical and emotional abuse.

“Why didn’t you defend yourselves?” The visibly upset mother Mynah chirped.

“They entered in large numbers and came hard at us. We were not prepared.” Young Mynah sobbed.

“This is a cold-blooded act. We want justice.” Father Cuckoo loudly bubbled.

A so-called Culture Awareness Forum belonged to Vultures claimed responsibility of the attack. “Squirrels had offered a nest to Mynahs to promote immoral activities. The male Cuckoos had no right to be present in a celebration with teen Mynahs. That suggested illegitimate intimacy and immoral mindset. Illegal and intoxicating substances too were hidden in the nest. We will not allow our society to function as humans do. We are here to protect the culture and heritage of jungle.” Vultures, the self-styled morality police declared.

In support of Mynahs and Cuckoos, the Doves moaned to keep crime in news. The offence of Vultures stayed alive in the centre of attention, thanks to media. Condemning and disapproving the shameful act, media held the fanatics of trying to divide the jungle on basis of class and culture. They also added that social attitude on bird issues, is moving in wrong direction. Media appealed the regional government to capture culprits and punish them sternly as per law of jungle. Vultures molested mynahs, it is a criminal act and criminals should not be allowed to walk away scot free, the media pleaded.

Lion ruled the central government. Border security and central investigation powers were given to Tigers. However, the regional regime was commanded by Wolves. Foxes were given the authority of regional law and order. ‘Foxes and Vultures are crime partners in overall larceny and hostility of jungle. That’s why Vultures are protected.’  Media asserted in their statement.

Monkeys, the opposition in regional assembly exerted pressure on ruling government. Monkeys had lost last election. The Wolves succumbed to pressure and ordered Foxes to take action. That compelled the Foxes to trick and arrest a volt of Vultures.

“We had allowed our teens to camp with the Cuckoos in a nest on Banyan tree.” Mother Mynah vociferously opposed the physical attack. “The celebration was planned within legal and ethical parameters. Vultures had no business to interfere. They should be punished for their anti-social behavior.”

“Vultures have hurt Mynahs by touching them in sexual way. The growing menace of Vultures is threatening constitution and law of jungle. They should be disciplined under the act of Goondaism with rigorous imprisonment.” Monkeys chattered and cried foul.

Being in opposition, Monkeys had formed unity after going down in preceding election. They had been waiting for occasions to tarnish image of ruling government. They had ‘gibbering’ knack to blow up the issue, loud enough to be heard by animal community. Monkeys were desperate to get back into power.

“How did media reach the crime scene a head of police force? Doves were present at the location much prior to Foxes. We cannot rule out media’s hand. They must be working clandestinely hand in hand with criminals.”  Wolves howled pathetically to defend and divert attention.

“We smelled the corrupt Vultures while flying close in vicinity of Banyan tree. An alert was made to Foxes. However, they were found sleeping on duty.” Doves immediately resisted by clarifying their version.

“Who has given rights to Vultures to decide between right and wrong? If Mynahs and Cuckoos rejoice privately within their space, how does it become immoral? This attack is blow to democracy.” Deer belled to stay dear to weaker section.

“Parrots have close link with human society. They have supplied illegal and intoxicating substances to Cuckoos. Such substances are curse and burden to human society. The law of jungle is very strict on regulation of prohibited stuff. The squirrels, Parrots, Mynahs and Cuckoos ought to be charged and taken into custody.” Snake hissed and discharged venom. The jealousy was evident for not being an invitee to Mynahs party.

“Snake is misleading the community with false propaganda.” Parrots squeaked and denied. “We were not called for celebration and we have absolutely no idea of presence of any prohibited stuff. Vultures initially triggered aggression believing the nest was occupied by some minority species. The hidden agenda of Vultures is to drive minority species out of jungle and they are aided by Wolves, Foxes and Snakes. Their program is anti-constitutional. Don’t let the criminals go unpunished.”

“The attack by Vultures was prompted by revenge and jealousy.” Cuckoos announced in a press meet. “Some time back Vultures had offered us to orchestrate music for their private celebration. The invitation was extended to Mynahs too, to join as dancing partners. Our joint refusal was not taken sportingly by Vultures. We should say revenge is possibly the motive behind this brutal attack.”

“Culture Awareness Forum headed by Vultures is antisocial and hence should be officially banned. Mynahs and Cuckoos had joined for simple joyful celebration. We are neighbors to Squirrel’s tree and we have not seen any such illegal substance. It’s all humbug.” Bats whistled their version.

“What’s happening?” The Elephants woke up and charged with blasting trumpet. “Law and order of jungle is in shambles. Moral policing is a threat to peaceful co-existence of civil society. If no action is taken against Vultures we will retaliate.”

Wolves were threatened by impulsive outburst of Elephants. Non-political minded Elephants commanded phenomenal popularity in animal community. Wolves feared the government would fall apart. They advised bird panel to provide a fact-finding report under the leadership of Broody Wild Hen. Being in midst incubation and hatching, Broody Wild Hen found it difficult to allocate time for this assignment. During brief intervals, a haphazard report was prepared and presented to local government.

Contradicting the media reports, bird panel chief Broody Wild Hen insisted that it was a rave party with presence of intoxicating substances and claimed it was an attempt of illegal bird trafficking by Cuckoos. She also commended efforts of Vultures in preventing the misdeeds.

Mynahs and Cuckoos challenged Wild Hen’s report and said, “That’s unfair. Honey was arranged, but not any illegal stuff.” They appealed the centre to intervene to expose hoodwink. Refusing the charges of intoxicating substances and bird trafficking, they demanded evidence to prove the allegation. Appreciating the role of Doves, they also added, if not the presence of media, Vultures would have had raped Mynahs. The birds firmly insisted for strict action against molesters.

Monkeys, the regional opposition party sought the assistance of central government. The prospect was in hand to expose corrupt practices of Wolves. This was their best chance to weaken the power of Wolves. Lion, king of jungle roared, called an emergency meeting with tigers and discussed the crisis in length. Tiger was instructed to muscle in to get an account of complete details of Vulture’s attack. Tiger convened meeting with Peacock, Chief of Jungle’s commission for birds. The Peacock assured to revert after an investigation.

Peacock arrived at Banyan tree and conversed with Squirrels, Bats, Cuckoos and Mynahs. After the investigation, Peacock refuted the charges raised by Broody Wild Hen. Peacock expressed concern towards the unpleasant situation, feared initially the attack was targeted possibly to terrorize minority species and incite hatred. Condemning the heinous act, Peacock assured to impel pressure from centre in punishing the guilty.

It appeared like battle royal between various factions. The war of words incessantly continued between Doves, Wolves, Foxes, Monkeys, Lions, Tigers, Wild Hen and Peacock. The legal system moved at snail’s pace and lacked force to exercise a speedy trial in penalizing the Vultures. Slowly and Surely, Mynahs and Cuckoos sensed the reality…. ‘In the game of power, political groups act largely on self-interest and fake sentiments. In general, living thing’s memory is short. That is why the jungle stays incompetent, pseudo-democratic and pseudo-secular surrounded by passive silent onlookers.  When new scandals emerge, erstwhile atrocities are forgotten. The court of jungle seem too slow in resolving grievances and hence stays unfair to victims. Genuine criminals mockingly slip through net and return corruptly at corridors of power. Some day, arrested Vultures too would be acquitted only to contrive their next attack.

Solely sufferer and none other experience pain and agony after traumatic event. What would be Broody Wild Hen’s reaction, God forbid, if Vultures plan their next assault at her young Chicks?

In larger sense, the law had failed in its primary function of protecting law-abiding inhabitants. In spite of everything, it is jungle and law of the jungle means survival of strongest. It made no sense in crying being weak. Self-protection and forcing a counterattack when assaulted could be the key words for continued existence in jungle…’ Consequently, Mynahs and Cuckoos planned their future course of action and learnt to live without fear.

Disclaimer: The plot, narration, events & characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real, living, dead is purely coincidental. Most important, any similarity to those living/non-living with dead conscience is entirely accidental & unintentional.