A Man's Best Friend Part-Ii (A Story) Poem by Chom Chom

It was Friday morning.I was going in the little village of Arowali. My vacation had just began.My parents thought it would be a good idea to visit the village after a hectic exam.The trian slowly chugged into the station.We had to go another 3 miles by cartwheel pulled by ox.My grandparents once lived in that village.After they were over sixty they moved with us into the city.Our house was looked after by a chowkidar(a kind of secretary) .We slowly advanced towards the house.The fields were lush green and was so long i couldn't see the end, it disappeared into the horizon.

After 15 minutes, we reached our house.It was a little broken down and looked shabby but i was not dismayed about it, it gave me a feeling of adventure.People often spoke of ghosts and spirits.Although i cannot say whether it was a superstition, but to say the truth the nights were very creepy.It was all silent with the occasional buzz of insects and snakes.

One day as everyone was out i felt of having a walk around, i took my shirt and went towards the fields, slowly evening approached i turned back to go home but when i looked around i saw i was in the middle of an endless field.Words can't describe how i felt at that time.My head began to stop working and i felt dizzy.

Suddenly, i heard a low growl.I turned and saw a dog.It had small white spots on its brown body.It was a common mongrel.I tried to remember where i had seen him before......yes he was a dog who always lingered near our house.We gave him leftovers.He made a sign as if he wanted me to follow him.I had no other choice.I sighed and began walking.Atlast i saw our house i was overjoyed and hugged him.He had a bad odour but i did not care for it.I told my parents of the happenings and they agreed that the dog should be given a treat, we called him but he did not come.Next day i again went and he followed me.My parents was not very sure but i pleaded them so much that they could not refuse.All was well...

The next day he again sat beside our house, he was slowly gaining confidence and ate the food which i gave him.Slowly the days passed.It was a Saturday.Our school started the next week.We had to get back...slowly we took our luggage and advanced towards the station.The dog was surprised and came running beside our cart.At the station it looked at me with long loving eyes as if he wanted to say'Take me away from this place, i will always be by your side'

I told my parents but they wouldn't hear of it.They said that he was a good dog but taking him home was impossible.I had no other choice but to bade him good bye.The train came in.We all took our luggage and moved towards it and to me surpirise the dog took a bad from my hand and began to follow me with that in his mouth.He was sweating and was tired but his eyes were full of determination.I boarded the train.He tried to get in too but was shooed of by the Station master.I threw a biscuit at him.He sniffed it but did not touch it, then he looked at me as the train began running.His eyes were wet.He tried to run but he was exhausted.Slowly i watched as the dog began to dissappear in the cloud of mist.

A week had passed, I was sitting on my chair reading a Sherlock Holmes. The postman came and rang the bell.Both my parents had gone to work so i received the letter.It was from our chowkidar.I sat on my chair and pulled it open.......

It said that a robbery had taken place at our home.The robbers took all the money we kept aside in our home.As they were about to leave a dog jumped on them.There were two robbers.The dog nabbed one but the other drove a knife through his heart.Afterwards both were caught by the police.The dog's dead body has been thrown in the river.The dog had white spots on brown fur.There were some more words but i didn't care to read them. I kept the letter aside and leaned back on my chair.I closed my eyes.Tears rolled down my cheeks........

Written by: Baidurya Mukherjee(Chom Chom)