Bhunte always spotted her, saw her following her group and grabbing a fish by her claws. Today when Bhunte was splashing his reflection over the river with his trunk, she jumped out and her jaw had Macharani who was crying for help. Macharani’s scales were full of green algae. She yelled ‘Help!’ and gasped for the last breath. Bhunte immediately caught the tail.

‘Caught you!’ Bhunte trumpeted.

Macharani slipped from her jaw and fell into the river, quickly thanked Bhunte and disappeared.

‘Tell me your name’ Bhunte was in a jolly mood as he thought he did a good job by saving Macharani.

‘Ouch! Bhunte stop! Let me go! I am Pani-nani! Now, leave my tail! It’s hurting!’

Bhunte was surprised that she knew his name and that made him happy.

‘Pani-nani, tell me more about you’.

‘First let me go, then I will tell you the story’.

Bhunte immediately let her tail down.

‘I am Pani-nani, we are called the common Otter or Eurasian Otter. We are among the 13 otters found all over the world. I am fond of eating fishes. I love playing with my group, like you. Once when I was playing with my aunt’s pups, I saw your trunk inside the water! I was about to grab it thinking it was a fish! But it was you and your mom called you. That’s how I know your name. Our playing area, or you can call it territory, can range from 1 km to 40 km of the river. We fish and munch on them. My whiskers are very sensitive to fishes and to my food. We have a very good sense of smell. Though we love swimming, we can’t stay in the water for long; and most of the pups stay inside our house called holt and they don’t like swimming. See over there, you can see my holt (she points out with her webbed claw). Sadly, humans have destroyed our house. Our river. By adding some bitter and deadly substances! People hunt us to make use of the fur and our meat. Recently our old cousin was hunted by some people. I saw they dragging him by the river bank. They have taken away our food- the fishes! So I am very scared of people! And you too took away my meal!’

‘Oh, I am sorry Pani-nani. I never thought people trouble you too. They have destroyed our abode. And yours. Once I grow up as a tusker, I will defend my forest. Don’t worry.’ Bhunte gave that determined gesture and chirped.

‘Okay, Bhunte, I am hungry. I am going deep into the river. And, I may go to the other side. I will meet you soon’ She waved her webbed foot and plunged into the water.

Bhunte, like always, had a mixed feeling. He did not know whether to be happy that he met Pani-nani or to be sad to hear her story!