Jungle Book - A Modern Tale

Jungle Book - A Modern Tale March 2020, DC (During Corona) Somewhere in the deep Jungle on the border of the three southern states, a gathering of animals happened. Notable among the absentees were the Nandi bull and his consort, the bulldozer. The majestic Tiger took charge and said something significant seems to be happening to the humans, and we are here to discuss and learn what the situation is and take guard to protect ourselves. I am in charge today since the two bulls are fire, sorry, corona-fighting. I request the high flier eagle to give us a bird’s eye view of things. The eagle made a high- pitched whistle and said it is indeed true. I have flown all over India in the past few weeks. All of a sudden, I am the only one flying at such altitudes.

There seems to be what is called lockdown among humans due to the coronavirus scare. But the chowkidar, I believe, was caught napping. The lockdown has come about after the virus has entered the country. Just to provide some information, Corona is a virus, the size of which is 0.1 micron or thereabout. Not only in India but all over the world, it has brought the countries to kneel. Amazing indeed, the nuclear stockpile, anti-satellite weapons, radar system, and human intelligence all have come to naught and could not prevent the virus from entering their boundaries. It is an irony to say that it is a good thing that the virus has infected all people. From the East to the West, irrespective of religion, creed, both the rich and the poor. As far as this ancient land is concerned, the virus didn’t originate in the neighborhood. Otherwise, we would have seen the communal virus unleashing destruction as well.

Let me end my introduction. I shall high pitch in whenever required. The mother elephant said I, too, feel it has been a good thing, sorry to say. But with trains not running these days, I have stopped weekly receiving reports from Kerala to Assam about the killing of elephants on the railway track. Oh, dear! Exclaimed the mama deer. I find that the jungle roads are free. My Doe, a deer, is free to play around without any fear of the vehicles plying. I, too, feel it has been a good thing though with a twinge of guilt. Tiger growled, why feel sorry. We have somewhat reclaimed the jungles. Jungle elephant safaris have stopped and can pursue my hunting without the fear of being trampled by the trained elephants. Just then, the white Sarus crane landed. Sorry I am a bit late. She said, “these days silence has enveloped the forest. I got carried away in my meditative stance. I just finished a conversation with Pashupatinath while in my meditation. Not only me the fishes in the pond but the frogs, the other birds feel the same as well. Me too buzzed the bee. The only downside is the plight of kites and ravens. Due to lock down food for scavenging has become scarce whistled the eagle. All eyes turned toward the Harvard Owl, which usually has something deep to say. I have been doing a bit of research. I understand the virus came from the bat family.

It doesn’t directly infect the humans but mutated when a pangolin got infected. By mutation, the virus developed capabilities to infect humans. The infection was supposed to have got started in a place Wuhan. As you all know, China is the world hub for the manufacturing, and it is no wonder that the virus got manufactured first yet again. We must be grateful for the bats. Bats, as usual in their Shirsasana, was seeing the world upside down. It acknowledged what the owl said, and now onwards, the humans hopefully would maintain a social distance from us. Tiger yet again growled. I propose that the bats for their excellent contribution to flora and fauna be given the award Time Animal of the Jungle for the year 2020. All the animals batted for this suggestion, and they sang in chorus, “All is Well.”