28
Guturgu
gives advice to Salonki
Would the marsh also come to this,
Salonki wondered. Would the mynas, sparrows, bulbuls, lapwings and drongos,
continue to live peacefully in the grassland? Would they have to begin to
develop a very alert and attentive system like Guturgu and his pigeons? This seemed so silly. Why live like this?
Forever fearful? Thankfully, the grassland was not like the village, except for
the danger from Naag or Dhaman or Shikra or Shaheen. Salonki whispered to
himself. Probably these were the dangers of living near or in human
settlements. What was Guturgu thinking? Was it so difficult to get rid of
Billi? Would Guturgu be able to help? Would Salonki, Teetiri and Kotwal have to
wait until Bade Miya went into the marsh to chase Billi away? Salonki wondered.
I can sense your worries, my old
friend. You are thinking if your grassland would also become a dangerous place,
with unknown enemies, Guturgu said. Yes, Salonki said, we can survive with our
known enemies, like Naag, Dhaman or Kaawla. Sometimes we can fool Shikra or
Shaheen. But animals like Billi will bring other problems with them. We cannot
survive without our water. We need the marsh in the grassland, Salonki added.
Guturgu nodded and hmmmmmed. I do not think I can help you as much as you hope
I can do magic immediately to chase Billi away from the grassland. Do you not
see how we live her, in constant fear of various animals? Guturgu asked.
