The Fate of a Corn Cob

Squirrels have always fascinated me, with their sleek bodies and agile movements. I can spend hours watching their antics.

Racing on the wall fronting our house, slithering up the trees, chasing each other in spurts of spunky mischief, watching them is an unalloyed joy.

Today morning, as I stepped out, I found one sitting on its haunches, and sinking its teeth on a discarded corn cob. Soon, another squirrel joined it and almost tried to snatch it from her.

But at the sound of a rumbling van, they disappeared in two different directions, only to return when the van had gone away. They frantically looked for the corn cob, but could not find it.

It was with a gasp of horror that I saw the van crush the cob under its wheels, and immediately my heart went to the two squirrels.

Morning Meanderings Season 4 – the weekly column by Santosh Bakaya

Trying to ignore the crushed cob and the look of dejection on the squirrels ‘ faces, I walked forward to come across a langoor sitting on a trash can looking around the teeming humanity, with an expression I could not place. Suddenly its eyes fell on the crushed cob and it raced towards it, eyes sparkling. But now the tables turned.

A couple of donkeys plodding on the road with a lackluster air walked over the cob. Now it was mangled beyond recognition.

So, now there were two squirrels and one langoor, absolutely crestfallen.

I decided to buy a corncob and place it in the middle of the road. The two squirrels scampered towards it, and so did the langoor, but on sniffing it, they gave it a withering look and scurried away. This was not their cob!

I felt cheated. My good deed had gone down the drain! I walked on but couldn’t resist the curiosity of turning back, only to find the langoor sitting on the wall, sinking his teeth into the succulent cob.

At some distance, the two squirrels stood on their haunches watching the langoor. They dashed towards the langoor, with speed in their legs and fire in their eyes.

They all but snatched the corn cob from his hands, and scampered away when the langoor growled at them viciously, baring its dental glory. I walked away, smiling at the shenanigans of the animals.

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About the Author

Santosh Bakaya ( 175 Posts)

Dr Santosh Bakaya is the author of three mystery novels for young adults, and a book of essays titled Flights From My Terrace, which was recently published as an e-book on Smashwords. Her poetic biography of Mahatma Gandhi, Ballad Of Bapu has been published by Vitasta Publishers, Delhi, India in May 2015 and has been receiving rave reviews from everywhere. Although a Political theorist, with a doctorate in political theory, it is literature which has been her first love. She was awarded the Reuel international award for language and literature 2014 for her long poem Oh Hark!, which forms part of the Significant Anthology. Many of her poems have figured in the highly commended category in Destiny Poets, a UK based website and many are part of international anthologies. Right now, she is giving the final touches to her satirical novel, tentatively titled Sanakpur Shenanigans.
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