27
Guturgu – the leader of the pigeons
Our young male pigeons guard us by
continually flying in the sky in tight circles to keep a watch and warn us if
any animal was approaching the shed or the neem tree. But what about Guturgu,
Salonki asked, was he your leader? Yes,
replied the shy young female pigeon. He plans all the activities of our flock,
keeps them together, and helps us find food, shelter and protection. He ensures
that they we are not harmed while our aunts and uncles are at the nests. He
controls the entire population of blue-rock pigeons in the village. All of us
owe our safe existence to him, said the shy young female pigeon, in obvious and
absolute reverence to Guturgu.
Again there was a sudden drop of
conversation, and silence followed. An almost silent flap of wings could be
heard inside the shed and suddenly, Guturgu was there at the window sill. So,
Salonki, my old friend, what brings you here away from the grassland? Guturgu
asked, stepping outside the window. He was a huge one, larger and fatter than
the other pigeons, or seemed to be so, thought Salonki. Salonki had known him
earlier when he was slimmer, leaner and faster. Guturgu had visited the marsh
waters in the grassland during one very hot summer some years ago. The village
pools and the river had gone dry throughout the region during that year. The
marsh waters were thought to be bad for drinking for the humans and thus it was
freely available to the birds and animals through the summer. Unlike the
village pools and the river, the marsh had retained its waters through the
harsh summer. It had become quite crowded then, thought Salonki.
I need your help, Salonki said. I
guessed as much, Guturgu said, for otherwise you would not be here. Do tell me
what is it that you need. Salonki replied, O friend, the marsh waters may no
longer be safe. Your know how precious is the marsh to all the birds. And now,
we can no longer enter the marsh. Surprised, Guturgu swelled his chest, waved
his wings above his head and asked, You can no longer enter the marsh? Pray
tell why? Why is it that you can no longer enter the marsh? Is it no longer
there? Are the waters of the magical marsh finally gone dry? Are we to suffer
this summer? This is a serious matter, my friend Salonki.
Happy that Guturgu had taken the
matter so seriously right at the first bit of information, Salonki added, O
Guturgu, my old friend, I come to you for help, because only you can help us in
the manner in which we need it. The waters are present and will remain so
during this summer. But we cannot enter the marsh because Billi is hiding out
there, waiting to catch any of the birds that would come inside the marsh
grasses. Guturgu gave a hum of understanding, and relaxed. You came to me on
your own, my good friend Salonki? And pray tell me, how did you know that I was
the correct person to give you advice against Billi?
Teetiri and Kotwal have also sent
their regards and seek your support in taking action against Billi, Salonki explained.
Guturgu hmmmmmed and grmmmmmmed loudly, and then trmmmmmed and brmmmmed for
some more time. He is thinking, said the young female pigeon, obviously very
much in love with Guturgu. The young male pigeon-guards were very alert,
watching the sky, the roofs of neighbouring sheds, and giving wing signals to
other male pigeon-guards flying in the sky. Salonki looked around at the thirty
blue-rock pigeons that were standing there waiting to hear Guturgu's words of
wisdom.
