It was August.

While returning to his abode, Bhunte’s herd traversed through the vast grassland. As the mist covered the grassland, Bhunte was little lazy and started throwing tantrums. No one in his herd bothered about him and kept moving ahead. He sat down with that anticipation of getting attention.

Something strange happened. He saw a bird, valiantly walking towards him. Bhunte was astonished to see this lone bird in the vast grassland. The bird yelled loud with a pouch hanging on his neck and a raised tail.

“Hey, trunked fellow! What’s so funny about me? Why have you been staring at me!” he came towards Bhunte.

Bhunte trumpeted ” I am Bhunte and was happy to see you”.

“Well, I am Maldhok, looking for my partner. Do not distract me!” Maldhok yelled again.

Bhunte followed him “Maldhok, tell me more about you”

“Well Bhunte, there are very few of us left in the wild! We lost most of our relatives due to habitat loss, hunting, electric wires and feral dogs! My partner lays only one egg! And that’s too gets destroyed! We prefer this grassland, but again some humans use our homes for cultivation and we have nowhere to go! (Maldhok hushes) I got to go–and yes, stop following me!” Maldhok yells again to attract his partner!

Bhunte observes him vanished through the grasses. Bhunte was troubled to know about Maldhok and his relatives. Bhunte rushes back to his herd- thinking about Maldhok…He could still hear him yelling far away…

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