Jungle Stories

Last month Ruskin Bond was at Mumbai and going to spend an hour with his readers.When I told Ashna about this news ,she was excited to go Mumbai even though she has to miss all her Saturday/Sunday class.

Sometimes ago we took ‘રસ્ટી નાં પરાક્રમો’ gujarati translation of ‘adventures of Rusty’ for read aloud story. Children liked it very much….after reading half for them left to Ashna to complete it. For them Rusty became a friend next door with whom they felt connection and bit envy of what he was getting! Home like Rusty, a town like him and many animals around - Ashna’s dream! Sometimes complain us too why don’t we have home like Rusty and why don’t we keep chemeleon,squirrels, birds etc. coming to our home as pet? Rusty and Daljeet’s escape from boarding school, Ruby aunty and Ken uncle’s funny stories, rusty’s friends, toto, python, Grandfather’s adventures and his love for animals, adorable grandma – they never feel bored with Rusty’s stories. She wish to meet her friend Rusty, no matter he is now of grandpa’s age!

Another book is ‘શેરખાન’ from Vijaygupta Mourya which was also read aloud book but children were so involved that as I call them “ Sherkhan ki sawari aa rahi he……..”, they are there! Heart touching story of sherkhan, from a cub learning hunting skills from mother ,circumstances forcing him to become man-eater and tragic end. Megh still relates Sherkhan, his mother and his sister with himself, me and Ashna! After that I brought many books from library of animal and hunting stories but somehow they couldn’t connect with them like ‘Sherkhan’.

Right now we are reading Jim Corbett’s stories translated by Vijaygupta Mourya and it’s his writing style which keeps them interested. This book is a collection of different stories from Jim Corbett’s books. Eight year old boy getting rifle and his life as hunter and then turn to conservationalist, his attachment to India and people, his jungle experiences, people’s life , their strengths and weaknesses, man eating tiger or leopard making life miserable and Jim corbett’s thrilling adventures to help those poor/weak people…………….all these are amazing and exciting for them. Ashna is reading this book and I have kept a surprise ready for her ‘કપિનાં પરાક્રમો’ (monkey’s adventure! ) again by Vijaygupta Mourya. Now She wish to visit Jim Corbett national park and places where he really lived!

Jungle, animals, nature and animal-human relationship are most attractive subjects for them. Movies like water horse, stallion, mighty joe young etc. are their favourite.