The Tiger's Hound- Part 34b

Since the time they had come from zoo, he hadn't utter word or cursed or scolded Sheru. Why? Why was there deep silence. Sheru hated silence. He was used to being scolded or cursed for some reason. He was in dilemma whether to walk in front of Prasun to make him realise he exist.

Sheru sat staring at his master trying to do something. He wagged his tail while his mouth was wide open to breathe. Prasun tried to wipe his mind from the negative thoughts. He knew that happiness was short lived friend. He also knew that all that looked rosy was going to end soon.

However he didn't know it would take so long. He didn't know whether to blame Sheru or his luck. Maybe he should blame both. Sheru was distracted and his luck didn't seem good today. The symptoms of bad luck had all started three days back.

He had prayed lord that everything should run smoothly. But his prayers were unheard for today. Or maybe he was being hard on himself and Sheru. Nothing had ended yet. They weren't even sent back to training again.

Kimberly had told them that he had to make his dog more aggressive. He was too distracted that day. He wasn't friendly but seemed too curious to know the tigers. In a real life situation, Sheru wouldn't get even a minute to understand the tigers. They would eat him alive.

"Oh Sheru! You have no idea of what kind of animal you are going to face. These tigers are merciless predators. Will you still be sniffing around them when they will be ready to bite you?", Prasun said softly to himself. Sheru bent low to cover his face when he saw Prasun looking at him.


(To be continued)

The Tiger's Hound- Part 34

Sheru had neither barked nor was scared of the tigers. He seemed inquisitive about them. The way they walked or growled softly or sniffed him amazed him. Maybe he had never seen such ferocious creatures in enclosure.

Prasun tried to kick him or stamp him to make bit angry so that he could bark. But this dog didn't seem to be affected by anything. Prasun worried. It was fine that Sheru showed no fear. Unfortunately it wasn't fine that he didn't bark or show any kind of aggressiveness towards the tigers.
 
The minutes passed by. Prasun calmed himself. Maybe Sheru was taking time to get used to these tigers. But how long? How long does it take to bark? Pretty easy task! And this dog was testing his patience a lot. He wished he could snatch the opportunity from Sheru and bark. Unfortunately he wasn't the dog.

Kimberly broke the unending silence," It's okay, Prasun. Bring Sheru back." Ramlal gave a sly smile. Prasun was sure that he had lost. He tried to accept the consequences of their failure. He hated being embarrassed by the taunts from the society.

The society is not fair with the people who fail. "So Ramlal, you are lucky today. Your dog showed immense courage over the tigers. Prasun! Don't worry! It wasn't anybody's fault. Sheru was great too. However he was bit hostile towards tigers. And we will work on that. Ashish Babu, your dog is not far behind. He need to work hard on his skills. Some dogs tend to develop cold feet. It's okay. Guys, one more thing.. This is not a test. So don't take it hard on yourself or on the dogs.", Kimberly said.

Prasun came home with heavy heart. Sheru was delighted to be back home. He was very depressed when he was zoo. He felt peace when he was at home. He hadn't noticed his master until now. Prasun didn't look happy. He was engrossed in his own thoughts.

( To be continued)

The Tiger's Hound- Part 33

It was Ramlal's turn. He took his dog towards the tiger. His dog got aggressive and as expected barked at the tiger. Ramlal patted his dog,feeling almost proud of his dog. But the ultimate happiness was yet to arrive. He kept his fingers crossed and prayed all the gods found in every corner of the planet that Sheru fails this time.

Kimberly appreciated Ramlal and his dog.  However he was given feedback that he had to control his dog's aggressiveness. She had advised him that too much aggressiveness was not good. The test was not over. Sheru had to give the final test.

Sheru was next. Prasun was worried a bit. He wanted everything to go smoothly. This was usual thought. He always got it whenever he had to face the situation where Sheru had to give the test. He faced the usual physical symptoms like his stomach felt uneasy inside; his heart beat faster than the seconds and he felt he was going to fall.

But this time, these symptoms were too high. He also felt dizzy. He tried to calm himself. It wasn't like as if Sheru had not passed any test. His mind worried lot, " What if he failed?"  What if he failed! Even if he failed, what more can happen. He would have to go through all the training.

Why? Sheru was best. He wouldn't fail like always. He would win this one too. He has got all that makes a tiger hound... the protector of village. He walked closer to enclosure with Sheru. The tigers growled softly. They were curious like Sheru. They sniffed him to understand what kind of creature he was.

It was like as if they were trying to reach out to him. Sheru understood the messages they were giving through their constant sniffing. They wanted to get back to jungle. The life in this zoo was terrible. Prasun wondered why he hadn't barked. What was Sheru doing? There was something fishy.

(To be continued)

The Tiger's Hound- Part 32

" What are you upto, mad dog?", Prasun scolded.  " It's a real tiger! Not a fake one!", he continued. But Sheru ignored. He was inquisitive about these wild ones whose eyes glared with some kind of attitude that they were still the kings though they were imprisoned by humans.

He sniffed them while Prasun scolded him. Prasun's wrath didn't stop him from investigating these creatures. Their yellow with black strips was flashy. Sheru wondered whether they had any of their types with any other pattern of skin other than their yellow with black strips.

Even humans had different kind of skins- yellow,  white, wheatish, chocolate brown and black. But he had never seen an animal having only one kind of skin colour. Sheru stared at their eyes which changed colour from brown to gleaming gold.

Prasun pulled the dog away. He took him to spot where the other two dogs stood with their handlers. Kimberly started giving them instructions while Shyam Babu translated. The dogs watched their masters listening so intently

Ramlal gave a icy stare at Prasun and Sheru. As usual he prayed that they didn't win this time. As per the instruction, the dogs were taken closer to the tiger's enclosure. The dogs were tested for their courage and how they reacted.

First dog was bought closer to the tiger enclosure. He ran away as soon as the tiger growled. He didn't try to bark. He whined and hid behind his master. His master tried to bring the dog closer to the tiger. But he was too afraid to face them.

(To be continued

The Tiger's Hound- Part 31

"Wow ! These animals must be brave!", Sheru wondered. " Brave! How can this be brave? Haven't they ever thought of running away? Maybe they were cowards who have accepted their fate!", he wondered.

He found the zoo a depressing place. He had never known why he had so much of expectations. He stared at these animal's eyes. Some had accepted their fate and tried their best to feel happy. Some had realized that there was no happiness in entertaining the human visitors. Some were trying to accustom to new surrounding.

He imagined the state of these animals. They must be missing their home lot. He imagined about the his home. But his mind only took him back to Prasun's old shack. He couldn't think of any place. That meant - he had no memory of the place he was born or spent his puppy days. His home was and will always be his place where he learnt to live.

It was time.. time to see whether they were capable of being Tiger Hounds. Kimberly had taken them to section where the two tigers had larger area to roam around  though they were fenched by tall iron railings. These railings protected the tigers from the people but for the tigers it was other way round.

All the dogs were bought in front of the tigers. The tigers walked closer to the railings to look at the strange creatures with human. The tigers wondered about how these dogs roamed freely with humans. How could these dogs be so loyal towards these humans while they tie them (dogs ) with leash and treat them as thing.  One of the tigers watched Sheru cautiously.

Sheru could feel the negative vibes coming out from the tigers. They paced to and fro on one end of their enclosure where the humans and their companions had gathered. Ramlal's dog and other dog stayed at their place while Sheru in curiosity walked closer to the enclosure while Prasun held the grip of the leash tighter.

(To be continued)

The Tiger's Hound- Part 30

The three dogs were very excited unlike their master. Their masters were tensed. Failures was inevitable and none of them wanted to be at that spot. They only wanted their dogs to do well. Their situation was somewhat similar to presenting their children in talent contest. Their dog's victory was the main factor that their name and fame based on.

They were like the nervous parents who had their hopes instilled in their children. The children a.k.a dogs were not scared like the kids. They didn't know what was stored in the place they  were going to visit.

Sheru walked fast with Prasun trying to grab his leash tighter in order to reduce Sheru's pace. But Sheru's excitement was at highest degree. He hoped into the safari jeep like an excited kid. Prasun had hit Sheru twice to control him. He had even scolded him. But nothing stopped him.

The journey was not very long. It was just two hours from village. The zoo was not too big. It was a normal city zoo. The zoo was maybe 20 acres where the animals stayed in  captive. They were wild held in man made prison. Their freedom snatched away only to make them as toys to entertain the human guests.

As soon as Sheru reached zoo, his curiosity had enhanced. There were many questions that were shooting his mind. Sheru wondered, " What a strange place this was?  He could see only humans everywhere.

Animals were kept in four walls. There was no space to  run around. " Did animals ever get bored? If they didn't, what they do for a pastime? How do they sit in this cage for long time, staring continuously at the humans watching them.

(To be continued)

The Tiger's Hound- Part 29

Everyone cheered. Prasun beamed with pride. He knew there was something special in Sheru that made him different from other dogs. He remembered the time when he meet Sheru for the first time. How smart the dog was? He had outwitted him with those fishes.

He had made sure he had tiptoed towards him and picked up fish. How aggressive he was about his catch! He didn't leave his catch and left Prasun with half piece. Oh those memories! If he hadn't found him, no one would ever known that there was a dog called Sheru.

Ramlal was disappointed. He didn't feel happy that his dog was one of three dogs selected for the visit to the zoo. He  was disappointed that Sheru had made to the top three. This dog surely had lady luck by his side. Every time Ramlal tried to execute his evil plans to fail Sheru, something dreadful would happen.

Sheru was excited as soon as he heard that he was going to meet another species of animals. But he had no idea that he was going to see the tiger in cage where his real courage would be tested. If he failed, then he would have to start all over again.

Prasun was aware of the test. He knew the cost of not doing well. Going through the training all over again would be nightmare for both Prasun and Sheru. Maybe Sheru wouldn't mind it. But for Prasun, it was matter of saving his face from being ridiculed by the villagers for failure.

He had gone through that stage many times. This was not the time. He had worked hard. He had put in lot of effort to come to the top spot. It would hurt him more if Sheru failed this test. A confidence with pinch of insecurity walked side by side.

(To be continued|)