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The birds call out to Bater and welcome him
Kotwal’s father came to join the
conversation. Better bring in Bater while he still has the courage to face up
to Billi, he said and added, for otherwise, the jungle bush quail may disappear
once again inside the grassland. Kotwal agreed, as also Teetiri, Darzi,
Dominga, Phoolchuki, Salonki and Bulbul. Dominga called out to Bater, in a low
whistle. Hearing it, Bater came out of the nearby grass clumps, alone, and stood
in front of Teetiri. Kotwal and his family moved to the nearby tree tops to
keep watch against any other predators. The drongos were worried that Shikra
and Shaheen would decide to return suddenly to the grassland. Both Shikra and
Shaheen would love to hunt Bater and his family.
Teetiri said hello to Bater and
welcomed him inside the circle of birds that were in discussion. Bater came and
stood very close to Teetiri. He seemed so frightened, Teetiri thought to
herself. Bater asked Teetiri, What do you want me to do in a fight against
Billi? I have heard that he is a very dangerous animal. Did Guturgu think that
I could fight him? Teetiri looked at Bater in a worried manner. Yes, my friend,
Guturgu did mention that you are the only hope for the grassland. We have to
protect the grassland from animals like Billi. The peace and security of the
grassland would be lost forever.
But how do we fight Billi? What can I
do? Bater asked. And, what would happen to my family if something were to
happen to me in the fight with Billi. My family of jungle bush quail depends
upon me entirely. Where are they? Teetiri asked. Are they still at the edge of
the grassland with the fruit orchard? Did you not bring them with you? Bater
replied that his family was hidden nearby but he would call them out to meet
all the other birds. He gave a small abrupt call, almost unlike a typical call
of the jungle bush quail. Hearing Bater’s call, the jungle bush quail came out,
one by one, in a straight line, and grouped themselves, with their backs to
each other, in a very tight circle.
There were twelve jungle bush quail,
including Bater, standing together in a
circle. They were all looking extremely frightened. Two or three of them were
actually shivering. Bater went around them, reassuring them to be calm, and
that they were among friends. He asked them to relax and come out of the
circle. Only one other jungle bush quail broke the circle that they had formed,
and came out to stand alongside Bater. Proudly, Bater introduced him to Teetiri
as his son. But the other jungle bush quail kept standing with their backs to
each other, in a circle, so that each one of them could cover all the directions.
