Once upon a time, not so far away a poor shepherd boy named Nandu took his flock of Sheep to graze. He was a 15-year-old Bheel boy, small built with dark brown skin and looked like any other person from his tribe. He didn’t have too many Sheep left and feared losing any. He remembered how angry his stepmother had gotten the last time. The memory of that day sent a chill down his spine, and he instinctively looked at the burn mark in his left forearm, it still hurt. Like any other shepherd, Nandu had a companion for his daily trips to the green land. A hunting dog who he fondly called Gilee. Often, he would get into a deep conversation with Gilee, talking about his life, his dreams of one day being rich and being able to pay the bride price for the girl of his dreams, Chameli.

“Gilee, remember that big bungalow by the riverbank. One day I will buy it from the Chowdhry.”

“Today, Chameli looked at me and smiled, what do you think Gilee, does she like me as much as I like her?”

“Gilee, the new Ma does not hate me. She does it so that I don’t grow up to be a drunk like my father… na?”

And Gilee always re-assured him with a “Roof Woof.”

But today was different. Today Nandu was careful and was keeping a vigil on his herd. He heard from a fellow villager that a Leopard was spotted in the area. He didn’t want to lose any more of his sheep. Gilee was being of help and was also keeping a vigil. Finally, it was dusk. Nandu was awfully hungry and scared of the dark, so he began rushing the herd back home. Somewhere in the trip Gilee wandered away and was lost in the forest.

After wandering around for a while, hungry and tired Gilee noticed a nice comforting cottage. He slowly made his way towards it hoping for some safety, food and comfort.

This cottage with its open doorways and windows always seemed welcoming to guests. In here lived a young man named Lalu and his boss Indubhushan. Gilee could smell the kindness of this old man, so he promptly went closer wagging his tail, hoping to get some affection.

“Lalu, seems like we have a guest today.”

“Sirji, I heard that there is a Leopard on the prowl. This dog will only invite trouble for us.”

“Lalu don’t be silly. We can’t let this poor dog wander alone out in the woods.”

“Sirji, Leopards like eating dogs. If we let him sleep here the Leopard is sure to smell his way here.”

“Lalu, we have the fire on. The Leopard will not dare to come around it.”

“Sirji….”

“Lalu, now stop arguing! I have had a very long day and want to go to sleep. So, let’s move on.”

Lalu decided that there was no point arguing with his boss, though he continued grumbling for a long time under his breath. He got some food out for Gilee.

Gilee gave a gleeful bark; this was the best meal he had ever had. It was a welcome change from the leftover food that he got every day.

Lalu and his boss placed their cots down, put some more wood in the fire and went to sleep. Gilee decided to sleep under the cot of the kind old man. He was missing his best friend, Nandu.

Raja, the Leopard was new to this forest. His home was taken over by those dangerous two-legged animals called humans and now he was homeless and hungry wandering around hoping to find some food soon. He had been wandering the entire day and was now extremely tired and needed rest. But his hungry stomach wouldn’t let him sleep. His stomach growled to confirm his lingering thoughts.

“Sign…”

Just then a lingering smell got him on guard. He sniffed up in the air and was sure that he smelled a dog nearby, his dinner, he decided. He followed the smell to the kind man’s cottage.

He cursed his luck to be led to humans again, he hated and feared them. He slowly started tip toeing his way forward and had to stop suddenly when he noticed the fire. On any other day, he would’ve turned around and left. Not today, today he was too tired to wander around anymore. He decided to wait for the right opportunity and settled, his eyes fixed on his prey.

Time passed by and the fire eventually subsided.

Lalu and Indubhushan both were fast asleep, so was Gilee.

Raja smiled.

Suddenly there was a loud ‘Roar’ followed by meek barking.

Both Indubhushan and Lalu woke up with a jolt.

Indubhushan knew what just happened and before Lalu could react, he held Lalu’s hand in a tight grip.

“Don’t move” he said under his breath.

Lalu could feel his heartbeat faster. Indubhushan was scared too, who wouldn’t with a Leopard under their bed. But he kept calm and still.

A happy Raja, finally got his dinner, dragged Gilee out of the bed and out of their sight.

Indubhushan relaxed a little and took a deep breath and noticed that the bed seemed wet. Lalu was still a little scared and a little embarrassed. And started to explain himself.

“It’s okay if you got scared Lalu. Let’s quickly change the bedding and get back to sleep.”

Lalu was all flushed and got busy. After a long Silence… he spoke out…

“Sirji… I couldn’t…”

“No worries, Lalu, It’s all in a day’s work. Tomorrow is another long day.”

Nandu, looked around for Gilee, but when Gilee didn’t come back for a couple days he assumed what must’ve happened.

Soon he found a new friend, a new dog and named him Gilee.

Raja still lives in the forest but is now more familiar with the terrain. Sometimes he ventures into the village and steals cattle from the humans, Karma he says.