The Growl Of The Panther

The sun had finally set below the horizon, engulfing within it the light of the day and painting the sky in a deep, orangish hue. The gentle breezes, which had earlier been caressing the tall mountains had ceased to blow. Thick, directionless white mist was slowly settling over the hillside, grappling it before the darkness descended.  

On the steep, stony mountain path below, ran young Devinder, as sure-footed as a mountain goat. His eyes were pools of red-hot lava for there was exasperation in them. He’d grown tired of his stepfather, a rich businessman, Mr Khanna who had always been unleashing the harshest of taunts and rebukes on him ever since he married his mother. Day and night he had tortured Devinder with his pepper hot tongue. Devinder's own father, an Army major had died two years back, owing to some mysterious illness which no one could ascertain. Things would have healed gradually for him and his mother had Mr Khanna not entered their lives. He was an old friend of his father, a fellow student at the Convent. Being wealthy, he had tactfully whisked his mother to marry him with a promise of a share of his good fortune with her-and her son. And they, already falling in a state of dire poverty, had readily agreed. 

For a time, things were settled but soon, Mr Khanna had begun to show off his real colour. He sent away the faithful servants of their house. He threw away the memories of Devinder’s father. He engaged in frequent fights with his mother over petty issues. He changed everything in the house, distancing Devinder’s room from his mother’s. He got rid of Devinder’s books, those favourite classics which he had collected over the years. He refused to let him and his mother go out and drank heavily late at night, often beating him until he was red all over. This morning, under the influence of alcohol, he had threatened Devinder, saying “If you do not stay away from my sight, I’ll beat you to your death, boy.” Of course, his mother had tried to pacify his stepfather but he had kicked her over.  

It had become pitch dark, by the time Devinder reached his home amongst a small settlement on the outside of a hill station. The silvery moon had risen above the clouds, flooding the open roads but he had been lurking in the gloomy pine forest. The trees had hidden him well in their recesses. Their slim, crooked branches thrown outwards had provided him the companionship he ached for. From time to time, while sitting on them, he occasionally licked his hands and feet like a cat. His complexion which was dark had become even darker than usual. And instead, of the clear voice he had, his throat was now producing sharp, distant howls, keeping wolves and hyenas of the forest at bay.  

He went straight to his room, making excuses of ill health. Throwing open the single large window, he stared at the starry sky with his emerald green eyes. His paws were adorned with pointy claws, which appeared like points of light against his furry, shiny black coat. Somewhere in the stillness of the room, ran a large black rat. Devinder pounced; his protruding canines pierced the rat’s hide, which went down his throat.  

Licking his lips, he settled down on the floor. Hours later, he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps. The time had come. He had to go. 

Mr Khanna, a tall, sturdy, bad-tempered man was ambling leisurely along the open road. He had been to a gambling party, where he had won scores of wealth from every other party-goer. They had bet recklessly and he had collected all their cheques, with excitement and deceit. They were stuffed in his bag which he carried along with him. He’d count them and add them to the lucrative locker when he got home. 

Meanwhile, the panther had already placed itself in the path which led to his house. He had carefully left the house through the window, crossed the other houses in the settlement and then ventured through the thick shrubbery, merging in it skilfully to avoid arousing suspicion of other nightwalkers. Its eyes now scanned the path that lay ahead of him, waiting for its prey, hoping to get him that inky night.  

Mr Khanna came along the well-laid path, humming a tune to himself, merrily singing of his craftiness in the party. When he saw the black, devilish panther with his strong jaws, emerald green eyes, rounded ears, black fur coat and shiny cometary tail, he halted. He let out several shrieks but none was heard by anyone. They were drowned by the angry growls of the panther who had leapt up from his resting position, ready to devour his prey. Mr Khanna tried to run but he fell; the panther came upon him and thrust his jaws into his throat. In a matter of minutes, that tongue was silenced forever. It would not trouble his stepson with embarrassing upbraids anymore, or gamble and win the lucre of his friends through trickery. It’d neither make false promises to any innocent nor ask any unprotected lady for her hand in marriage. 

“Your father isn’t back. He told he would return by midnight,” said Devinder’s mother when she came into his room in the early hours of the next morning. “Whatever’s happened to him!” 

Devinder was perched upon the windowsill, reading one of his books. The lights of the room were off and his face wasn’t clearly visible to his mother, who could only make out an outline of her son’s stature. He wasn’t listening as attentively to her but he still nodded at her. 

“Why do you say? Shall we approach the police?” mother asked.  

“No! No! That isn’t required. He’d be fine. I know.” assured Devinder without looking at her. Staring at him in confusion, she stormed out of the room.  

Finishing off the book, Devinder glanced at the sun, which had, gradually, started manifesting itself for the day. It appeared so calm and beautiful and so serene! He’d go to school today without any worries. Hurriedly, he stepped off the sill and went to the bathroom to wash off the blood that still layered his small mouth and lissom hands.