SHORT STORIES FOR CHILDREN

SANDALWOOD TREES

M. parents and I lived near Karimunai village in the Eastern Ghats. My father owned and tilled a piece of terraced land on the hill slopes and my mother tended our goats. I helped both of them. I also studied in the village school. Gugu, the dog, was my companion. Both of us loved to run up and down the hilly slopes, whenever we could. The day I was thirteen, a terrible thing happened. It was well after sunrise. My parents and I heard a low, rumbling sound. The goats and Gugu felt uneasy. Within minutes there was an explosion and a stone hit my head. I turned round sharply, my head throbbing with pain. "Amma* where are you?" I cried out. But, my voice was drowned by the noise of the boulders rolling down the hills. I thought I heard my mother call my name, "Su-nan-da-!" I tried to run, but it was no use. I gazed at the horrific landslide. Suddenly, something sharp hit my eyes. I staggered and fell. After that, I knew nothing till I woke up in Raogaru's house. When I opened my eyes, I found it was dark around me. I had lost my eyes. Sobs shpok my frail frame. Gugu stood by my side, l*****g my hand. Raogaru was the headmaster of the village school. He had brought me to his house. My parents and the goats were killed in the landslide. Gugu and I had had a miraculous escape, Raogaru told me. He and his wife, whom I called Mami* were very good to me. But, I missed my parents. I missed my home. But most of all the darkness around me was shattering. I felt I was falling deeper and deeper into a dark bottomless pit. I bravely suppressed my sobs. Gugu was a great comfort. He often sat huddled close to me. I stroked him, cuddled him and spoke to him often. Raogaru wanted to send me back to school; but I refused to go. "I'm so different from the other girls, now. Moreover, everyone will make fun of me," I wept. Raogaru agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to let me stay at home. I began to get used to my dark world. I spent a lot of time with Mami, who was very kind to me. I learnt to make garlands for the deities, while Mami prepared other offerings for the puja. In the evenings, Raogaru kept me company. We spoke on various subjects for hours together. The landslides haunted me and I asked him one day, "Tell me, uncle, why do landslides occur." "Man has started encroaching upon nature thoughtlessly," he explained. "He is denuding the hillsides by cutting down the trees. The trees actually help to keep the mountain mass together. Without them, any stray disturbance under the earth's surface causes chunks of the land to slide down." "Why then, this de... de " "Denudation. Trees are cut down legally for various reasons, industrial development for example. But there is illegal felling of trees, too." "So it's this denudation that has deprived me of my Amma " Gradually, as days passed, I gained confidence. I could touch, feel and understand pretty well. My nostrils told me a lot and I could hear extremely well. I ventured out with Gugu and went for afternoon strolls. I was not unfamiliar with the hills around. My favourite haunt was a cluster of shady trees. There I would sit, leaning against a tree trunk, with Gugu sitting close to me. A cuckoo on the tree always greeted me with her clear call "Aa.. .koo " If I answered back, she would call out louder still. One day, as I approached my usual resting place, a gust of wind, with a familiar aroma, blew. I also noticed that my bird friend was silent. "Aa...koo, Aa... koo...," I called out. But there was no answer. I became curious and sat down to think. When I tiied to lean against the tree, I realised there was no tree. Just a short stump stood in its place. I quickly bent down and smelt the stump. 'Sandalwood' I thought. I hastily picked up a stone and rubbed it against the core of the stump and I could smell sandalwood. I walked round and found three more such stumps. 'Who has cut down these sandalwood trees and why?' I wondered. 'De-nuda-tion.' I remembered Raogaru's word and slowly repeated it to myself. "Bow-wow," cried Gugu. "Come on, Gugu, let's go home," I said and we hastened homewards. As I entered the gates of the house, I told Raogaru, "Uncle..., some sandalwood trees have been felled on that side. Who has cut them?" "I don't know, Sunanda. I must check with Mudaliar," said Raogaru walking away. Mudaliar was the head constable at the village police station. The next day, after my usual stroll with Gugu, I had fresh news for Raogaru. More sandalwood trees had been cut. But Raogaru was emphatic. "Sunanda, I have asked Mudaliar. He says the area and the sandalwood trees are well protected and no one can break a single twig." "Surely," said Mami, supporting me, "Sunanda couldn't be imagining all she said." "In fact," continued Raogaru, "Mudaliar was quite upset and asked me to tell Sunanda that she should not spread such rumours any more." "Well! Who would take a blind girl of thirteen seriously?" I murmured unhappily. "Come, Sunanda. Don't feel so upset about it." Mami put her arm round my shoulders and comforted me. But I was sure that valuable sandalwood was being stolen. Early the next morning, Gugu and I walked to the sandalwood area. I let Gugu lead me and after a great search found a nice hiding place behind a bush. There I waited impatiently for a long time. I had almost dozed off when Gugu growled. I was immediately alert. The next minute, Gugu sprang forward, barking, while I crouched well behind the bushes and waited with bated breath. I heard footsteps approaching. As they came nearer, Gugu stopped barking. Somebody asked, "What are you doing here doggy? Patrolling like me, eh?" I recognised Mudaliar's voice. He had not noticed me, I presumed. When I could no more hear his receding footsteps, I relaxed. However, nothing happened during the rest of the day and I returned home. The following night, I waited for the clock to chime eleven. I heard Raogaru and his wife snoring. Motioning to Gugu to follow me, I quietly slipped out of the house. Long before we reached the sandalwood trees. I heard a low whirring noise. Gugu became uneasy and growled. "Shsh.. .Gugu! Don't you make a noise," I whispered, holding him firmly by the collar. We walked on and the noise became louder and louder. Suddenly, it struck me, 'Hey! Even if there's something fishy going on, the place must be well lit. Men can't be working in the dark. And they will see me.' Hastily I pushed Gugu to one side of the path. Crouching low and holding the dog by the collar, I crept forward, listening intently. The whirring noise was incessant and there was also the sound of moving vehicles. After what seemed an eternity, the whirring ceased and I could hear men speaking to one another. "Enough for today, Ramesh. It's getting to be two o' clock. And remember, ten percent of the money you earn by selling this sandalwood is mine. Otherwise the authorities would be alerted and you would be behind bars for the rest of your life." My heart skipped a beat for the voice I heard was that of Mudaliar. I held my breath, gripping Gugu's collar tight. "Of course, Sir," replied another voice. Soon all was quiet. My heart thumped like a steam engine as I rushed back home with Gugu. Quietly I got into bed, but could not sleep a wink. Mudaliar's voice was ringing in my ears. In the morning, as soon as Raogaru was awake, I told him everything. "Are you sure, Sunanda?" he asked me. "Positive, Uncle." "Then, I must take this up with police headquarters at Ootacamund," Raogaru said decisively. Mami stroked my head gently. "Brave girl," she said. After a few days, I was called to police headquarters with Raogaru. There, I was asked several questions to confirm what I had already told Raogaru. On the way home, I asked Raogaru what would happen to Mudaliar. "If there's enough evidence against him, he will be arrested," he said. A month or so later, one morning, Raogaru took my hands in his and said warmly, "My dear Sunanda! You have been given a reward by the police department for helping them unravel a sandalwood racket." I grabbed both his hands and pressed them to my lips. "Oh wonderful!" cried Mami. "I'll makepayasam* today a#d offer it to Lakshmi Devi." "What is more," said Raogaru, "I have decided to admit Sunanda in the National School for the Blind. Sunanda, there you will learn a useful vocation. I'll put your reward money in the bank. It will help you get a good start in life." I wanted to thank Raogaru, but words failed me. I was too overwhelmed.