THE DANGAL IN THE JUNGLE, PART 2

When people wanted photos, I’d put them in a head lock or choke. The first time I did it, I was worried that I might insult their culture because wrestling is taken seriously here, but once people saw me do it, they all wanted the same thing. Some even brought their kids and said, “Please put my child in a wrestling hold.” Afterward, they’d say, “You are a very entertaining man, very friendly.”

The organizers of the dangal competition asked me to say a few words on behalf of the foreign wrestlers. Not knowing what to say to the crowd, I just blabbered, “Thank you …” I couldn’t remember the name of the city, so I said “… India for having us. We are hoping to give you a good show tomorrow night.”

But that seemed too short, so I added, “I have read The Jungle Book many times. Thank you.” Amazingly, they still seemed to like me, probably because they didn’t speak English.

Then the media people asked me the