“I don’t like this at all” Moti said with a whiff.

“Why, what happened?” asked Sonu.

“These humans are no good, why they mix all the things, have to dig even for small little grain” Moti said grudgingly.

“And over it we are the last ones, see Bunkoo he is almost full.” Sonu exclaimed.

“But I am big and strong so I need to feed myself before you skinned, good for nothing creatures” Bunkoo said haughtily.

Moti was just 3 months old puppy; he lived in a small village Tarthipur, just near the bank of the river, he would move in the by lanes of the village, roam the whole day wagging his tail and enjoyed his life to the fullest. His only concern was that human beings have become greedy and no one offers him food, everyday he has to ransack the loads of dump of stale food along with his gang. He being the smallest always got the last chance when all ate their share. He had two close friends Bunkoo and Sonu.

 Bunkoo was eldest of them all, shy in nature, meek looking dog that would not even look at humans contrary to his physical attributes as he was brawn and protruded jaw made him looked dangerous. He would stroll with Moti the whole day, though they were friends but wouldn’t mind snatching food from him. May be this is how things work Moti used to ponder.

Sonu was exact replica of Moti, though they were not twins but were of same age, white in color with feathered tail. But inspite that Moti led his group as he was smart and unlike others was prodigious, knew the world better than others.  

Tarthipur was his home, just the day he came in his senses Moti considered him fortunate mostly because of Paro, pretty lady who would often play with him, feed him, cuddle him and cajole him even when he was sad. One day she even brought Moti to her place but due to her parent’s opposition he was again forced to live an orphan’s life.  

Moti, as said was quite extraordinary, he knew the fate of village’s Dog where even farmer’s survival is questionable getting two meals a day was luxury for them.  But he loathed the pet Dog in Landlord’s mansion who not only had the opulence of grand food like red meat, chicken, eggs but had accorded better status in their fraternity too. He hasn’t seen him even once but had heard lot of stories of the Mansion’s extravagance, lavish lifestyle and their frequent parties where gun -shots and boisterous merrymaking was often discussed among their brethren. He would stare the high walls of the House imagining himself in it playing with Landlord’s son. May be his better Karma in this life might absolve him of his wrong doings and next life might bestow a better opportunity.

“Moti, how come you are always happy, jumping around, barking and boot licking these avaricious humans.” Sonu asked curiously.

“Do I have a choice?” Moti replied trying to do a hand stand.

“Hey what are doing?”

“Just practicing few acrobatic skills, humans love it you know. May be some repentant soul might adopt me”

“You have gone crazy, why would they adopt a rusty, country side dog with mongrel background.”

“Sonu, why are always so pessimistic, I know my limits but still I have a paraphernalia called hope which you morons won’t understand.”

“Ah, you are very smart, we guard this village whole night and nobody even look at us rather they mock us, ridicule us make us wiggle our tails whole day. You remember that kid in red house, every time he sees me he is after my life chasing with a piece of stone but luckily I have escaped so far. I don’t know when this travail of so called life’s struggle would get over. ” Moti replied.

“Yes you are right to an extent but we are still lucky you know, at least we get our daily meal and my Paro takes care of us.”  Moti said happily.

“No she takes care of you not us; she doesn’t even look at me, I think it’s high time I better learn those gymnastic tricks of yours, may be some other Paro might look at me. These girls too like flashy, flamboyant dogs, why they have such a gaudy taste? ”

“It flair dude not flamboyance, the moment you learn these elegant tricks you suddenly come in lime light.” Moti said assertively.

“But there is pain too, these human’s make you do the same again and again”

“My little Sonu, just grow up, you got to learn the tricks of survival, it’s their world not ours but we ought to make some sacrifices, plus it keeps me fit too, you know I am the fastest Dog in this village.”

“Yeah, yeah Moti and his tricks, I know them very well.” Sonu replied enviously.

Just as they were having their discussion Bunkoo joined them, though he was the passive of them all he was kind of informer keeping account of all the activities not only in his village but other places too. Sometimes stealthily he would enter in parties and village functions though most of the times he was kicked for the same but that didn’t deter him from performing his role.

“Hey guys, there is solid news, I couldn’t wait so came running” Bunkoo said with enthusiasm.

“What happened, you got kicked in some event again or what” Moti replied in a friendly banter.

“Moti, mind it, and please try something new instead of your clichéd mockery” he said in a hoarse voice.

Saying this Bunkoo turned around, the moment he was about leave, Sonu pleaded “Come on Bunkoo, tell us what’s new, Moti was just joking, you know him.”

“Ok, there is a huge party tonight, you know that ground beside Paro’s house, there are lot of new tents, preparation is in full swing” Bunkoo replied trying to avoid Moti.

Moment Moti heard Paro’s name he was all ears and jumped in the conversation.

“Oh, that big ground where I usually meet Paro” Moti asked earnestly.

“Yeah, same place”

“Friends, I have an idea, why don’t we all go and surprise Paro, she will love it.” Moti said.

“No it’s risky, there are many people there hundreds of them, and I just got kicked.”

 All of them started laughing. They all decided that they will go late after the event and join others.

Village functions were real treat for the dog’s community in Tarthipur; more than fifty inhabitants of village would throng at the event and would wait outside the function to satiate themselves with the leftover of the plates. Sometimes dogs from neighbouring village too used to accompany them but most of the time deadly brawl would ensue later acting as a spoiler. Here all of them would growl, fight and suddenly meek, submissive looking community would turn belligerent. Moti enjoyed these petty scuffles, would sit at one corner and bark endlessly.

That day too they all had sumptuous meal with variety of cuisines like sweets, Poori, chicken pieces and many others. Moti for the first time in his life had so much in terms of choice; he loved it and prayed for more such parties.

However this particular event turned his life upside down as he couldn’t meet Paro even after wandering near his house for many days, some days he would sit the whole day without food just for a glimpse  but all in vain. After few days Bunkoo told him that Paro has left the village, that lavish party was the day she was last seen.  One of the informers told him that he saw Paro leaving on a motor next day.

Moti couldn’t believe these words, how could she leave without meeting him? Didn’t she love him? Such questions preoccupied his mind as he was devastated. Pain of separation was more than all the ridicule he has faced in his life. Sonu would try to soothe him, sometimes even brought food for him but he would quietly listen without any reply. Nobody expected such behavior from Moti.

However time is a big healer, it makes you strong to brave any unforeseen events, Moti was no exception, and within few days he was again back to his usual self though he didn’t find village’s life as amusing as earlier, he would still stare at Paro’s house waiting for a reply of flurry of questions he had in his mind.

One day they all were sitting, Bunkoo again had something special to share.

“You know Jattuda is coming” he said. Moti was quietly listening to them.

“Who is Jattuda?” Sonu asked inquisitively.

“Ah, you don’t know Jattuda, he too is from Tarthipur, these days he lives in a big town called Modelpur” Bunkoo replied in a conceited manner.

“Modelpur, never heard of it?” Sonu said.

“You haven’t crossed the boundaries of Tarthipur, how would you know about Modelpur, it’s a big place a metro town with big houses, motors, trains, lights and big parks. You know I was listening to the Hariya uncle’s discussion, they all have a very high regard for Jattuda, and he is only migrant of our village who has made so big.”

Hariya was the head of Tarthipur, though old but still strongest of all. Areas were defined in Tarthipur but for him whole village was his ground.

“Why, what has he done?” Moti asked.

“Take his name with respect Moti as he is a revered dog in our community, all of us lionizes him for his achievements. He heads a gang in Model colony in Modelpur; it’s a posh area with huge bungalows, big motors and many parks. Jattuda stays there in the streets of Model colony with hundreds of his followers.” Bunkoo said trying to explain everything in detail.

“But then what is he doing here?” Sonu interrupted.

“That I don’t know, tomorrow there is a meeting at midnight, we all have to assemble there.” Bunkoo said.

Next day, it was announced that a grand welcome would be made for Jattuda; all the dogs were asked to collect food items for him. It was also mentioned that Jattuda had a special liking for fish and chicken so it should be arranged accordingly. Each of them had their quota, but Moti and Sonu being small were exempted.

The affair had its sanctity due to presence of Jattuda, in the crowd of more than hundred Dogs he sauntered haughtily like a celebrity wagging his tail. Jattuda had sharp features which instantly caught attention of all; he was brown in colour, stout with heavy palms like a Tiger and guffawed submitting his approval over venerate postures of his brethren. The crowd was euphoric, they couldn’t believe that their hero has arrived, they have heard his stories of how he conquered Modelpur and has made number of retinue in a very short span of time.

“We are pleased with the benign presence of Jattuda, he has come all the way from Modelpur to meet us, to inspire us and to narrate us all the hardships he is been through in his life, I am sure it will inspire all of us especially our new generation.” Hariya said welcoming Jattuda.

Jattuda couldn’t hide his excitement and echoed the atmosphere with his woof where rest of the Dogs followed him. Moti and his friends sat in the corner pensively listening to accolades for Jattuda.

Then Jattuda was sitting along with his entourage of around seven dogs came to centre stage to address the crowd.

“My fellow Tarthipurian’s it is my pleasure to be amongst you, I want to see each of us to dream, to chase them as I did and to reach greater heights.”

“I still remember that day when I left this village, Modelpur was entirely a new experience people are even greedier but you got to learn the tricks of survival.”

“However, there are new opportunities too; there is more food along with varieties, humans are not much concerned mostly involved in their own life so there is little interference in our life and biggest of all there are multiple parks with cleanliness though the pollution there sometimes bothers me.”

The moment the word food was mentioned Dogs barked in unison while few day dreamers suddenly came back in their senses and followed others in tandem.

“You all must be wondering the purpose of my visit. Well, there are many reasons. Firstly I wanted to see my soil Tarthipur and most important of all I want to take few of you to town.”

Suddenly there was chaos all around with all Dogs tried to come close to Jattuda after all who doesn’t want better food and living. The meeting was adjourned and Jattuda assured that he would personally select the lucky ones to ensure that the new ones would be in position to adapt to a new life.

However, the sense of jubilation abated with only of few volunteered. Others came up excuses old age, anticipated fear to adapt to new surroundings and few others citing that it would be injustice to Tarthipur as they are the guardians and watch keepers of the place.

Moti was in dilemma too, since only Sonu was ready to accompany him and there was still a hope of Paro’s return. However with heavy heart he decided to leave Tarthipur, a small farewell was solemnized and they all left to Modelpur along with Jattuda and his entourage.