57
Kotwal comes to Teetiri’s help
At the very moment, Bulbul saw Kotwal,
perched on a very high branch of a mango tree that was hanging over the high
ridge. How did Kotwal come here? Was he not sitting back at the edge of the
marsh, along with his father and sister? Bulbul looked behind, and, yes, there certainly
were three black drongos out there. Chattering. But, none of them were Kotwal,
Teetiri’s friend. Kotwal certainly could not leave Teetiri alone to face Billi
at the last stage of the plan. So, Teetiri had repeated the trick she played
with Bater and the jungle bush quail, by fooling Billi to think that Kotwal had
stayed behind. Kotwal had actually flown ahead and hidden himself at the mango tree
that rose over the ridge.
Bulbul had not seen Phoolchuki, hiding
herself, amongst the low grass clumps, staying very close to Billi. Phoolchuki
kept herself within the sight range of Kotwal, while Billi could not spot the
black drongo. Teetiri continued to sit at the high ridge line, allowing Billi
to approach closer. Billi could not realise that he was almost at the high
ridge line. He could only see the leaves of various bushes that grew along the
high ridge line. Billi knew that he was now within attack distance. The lapwing
seemed so unaware, Billi thought. In the grass clumps nearby, Phoolchuki was ready
to give the signal to Kotwal. Her instructions were to signal Kotwal the moment
that Billi began to crouch for the final leap.
Billi moved ahead some more and got in
for the final crouch before the leap. Phoolchuki noticed the tensing of Billi’s
muscles and flew up quietly to signal to Kotwal. Billi moved further, very very
quietly. Kotwal, on seeing Phoolchuki flying up, behind Billi, came out of
hiding from among the tree’s branches and moved to the highest branch. Billi
did not notice Kotwal’s presence. He was absolutely focussed upon Teetiri who
seemed very relaxed, totally unaware of the danger to come at that moment. This
was the moment, Billi thought and jumped. At the very moment, Kotwal whistled
from his perch, and Teetiri flew up in the air. Billi jumped and jumped and found
that there was certainly something very different and very wrong about this
jump.
