Ruru was merrily running around and playing with a stick when Ela egret came and sat on his mother's back. The mere sight of Ela annoyed Ruru because she always played pranks on him.
"Shoo! Shoo!' snorted Ruru. "Don't disturb us, Ela!" "But I'm not disturbing anyone!" Ela said.
"I'm only eating the flies, leeches, and ticks from your mother's skin."
"Let her be, Ruru," said his mother. "These parasites are extremely pesky."
"Your thick skin can't protect you from these blood-sucking pests," Ela added smugly.
Ela had barely said this when Ruru felt an itch on his back.
"But even if you plead with me, I won't remove the pests from your body, you ungrateful rhino!" Ela scoffed.
"I don't want your help. Hmph!" Ruru snapped.
"Hush!" whispered Ruru's mother. Her ears pricked up as she could hear the footsteps of an approaching elephant.
And sure enough, from the tall elephant grass surrounding the grassland, a safari elephant emerged.
"There are humans on its back," Ela said.
Ruru was excited, saying, "Tell me more! Tell me more!"
"They have guns!" Ela shrieked suddenly, which made Ruru jump out of his skin.
"What are you saying?!" exclaimed Ruru, terrified. "Mother, what will we do now?!"
"Hohoho!" Ela laughed. It was just another one of her pranks, as she knew that rhinoceroses have poor eyesight.
Otherwise, Ruru would have been able to see that the humans were gazing at them through binoculars.
This story is from the September Second 2022 edition of Champak.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September Second 2022 edition of Champak.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Return Gift
\"Dingo, it's been a long time since we've had a nice party.
Moving to the MOON
In the forest town of Hoshiarpur, there was a mischievous bear named Dabbu.
Tea and the Lizard
Parth's father loved tea and enjoyed several cups throughout the day.
Shera Breaks a Bad Habit
It was December, and a cold wave settled upon Chandanvan. Prime Minister Shera discovered that his once-luxurious velvet quilt was now stained with mildew after being stored in the damp basement.
MANAS AND THE LOST KITTEN
After the half-yearly exams had ended, Manas began to feel bored at home. He insisted that he wanted a pet to keep him company.
The Ghost on the Hill
It had rained a lot in Champakvan that year. There were floods, and Cheeku rabbit and Jumpy monkey's homes had been washed away.
FINDERS, KEEPERS
Raji came out of her cool, thatched roof hut. The rough, sun-baked ground scorched her little feet. She looked up at the sun - it was still not very high in the sky. Judging by its position, Raji guessed it was around ten o'clock...
A Dog Named DOT
Dogs like Dot are found a dime a dozen on Chennai streets. Diya could never understand why that one particular dog who was just like any other brown and white dog, chose to pull at her heartstrings...
THE SCHOOL CONSTITUTION
10-year-old Mayank had just opened his tiffin box to eat when the aroma of his food spread through the class...
TARUN'S TALE
\"Stories should be like a breath of fresh air. They should give strength to our souls,\" Tarun's grandmother told him...
