Annual Wild Meeting of 2022

By Talitha Antao

1 soldier, 2 soldiers, 5 soldiers down. Today man came and cut down the neighbourly trees. A home to many lives, they bled death as silently as they breathed life. Now only a void appears in the canopy, a space grieving its previous owner to the blue skies above. No birds chirp, no crickets dance. Nature does not mourn in loud syllables like its adversary.

And so arose the need for a immediate meeting of the local animal residents.

List of invitees:

• The cheery Magpie family, the talkative Bulbul family, the elegant Drongo family and the nomadic Hornbill family

• Mr and Mrs Mongoose, and their family of six

• Mr. Tortoise and his son, always tolerant

• The Boobooks & Scops of the wise, yet stubborn family of Owls

• Mr. Monitor lizard and his brother(their appearance at such events is rare)

• Miss Squirrel & her new boyfriend(do we really need to know more?)

• Mr Python (all toned up from gym)

Timings - 10 am to accommodate all late comers

Location: Bamboo Grove

On a cool September morning, all of them gathered to discuss the current events.

Miss Squirrel: “What gives them the right to destroy our homes? Who do they think they are? Are they so selfish?” She chattered on with her fiery temper.

Mr Tortoise: “Calm down, dearie(with a nod of his head) I’m sure they’re not all that bad.”

Mr. Mongoose and Mrs. Mongoose in unison: “That’s easy for you to say! You can move home. How are we to raise our young ones with us constantly changing houses?”

Mr. Drongo: “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s not forget why we are here. We are here to remember those we lost, like Mrs. Fowl and young Mr. Bat. And to show we can indeed fight back!” (with a flourish of his wing, his tail high)

Mr. Hornbill in an usually quiet tone: “They did save us a few trees to rest in, and they will plant more for sure in the years to come.”

Mr. Bulbul and Mr. Magpie retorted sharply: “What would you know? You only ever visit once a year!!”

Mr. Python just kept smirking, with an occasional glance at the placid young Mr. Boobook. The monitor lizards kept silent, with an occasional flick of the tongue. They really didn’t talk too much.

In flew Miss pigeon with refreshments to cool down the rather heated moment. After each had a sip of their water, they slowly began to quieten down.

Mr Tortoise: “Okay, folks, now that we have vented our feelings on the matter, let’s work together to save our home. Any suggestions?”

Mr. Python: “If I might be allowed to say a few words? Why don’t we just use our numbers and make a grand entry? We would scare those humans all right!”

Miss Squirrel: “Although I don’t always agree with you, I do on this one. Does everyone agree?”

“Count me out”, said Senior Monitor Lizard. “Humans would love to get their hands on me, so I can’t take that risk.”

“Me too", said Mr. Tortoise. “I don’t do well with tough actions, or as you’ll know, speed.”

“Well, then it’s settled!”, cried Miss Squirrel. She had thought of the same idea, and it pleased her to know it was being carried out.

Their unanimous decision was applauded by the tiny crickets, and big green grasshoppers hiding in the leaves.

One by one, each of them left, with a slither, a flap of wings and a scamper. With a feeling of some accomplishment, they all couldn’t wait for morning to arrive.

The end.

By Talitha Antao