Billy and Esha Save the World

By RS Mann

The heroic Indian Water buffalo.. Bahadur (or Billy as he is known) is slumped in his chair, drugged and rendered unconscious by the evil Cecil, a despotic Squirrel, whilst Billy’s wife, Esha, a high born Indian Elephant struggles to formulate a plan to escape. As she does this she recalls the story of how she came to be such a famous and feted Heroine, as well as an elephant that walks on two legs and speaks the language of humans.

A fast paced, funny and thrilling book enjoyable for parents and children alike that introduces big subjects in a fun and memorable way. "Billy and Esha Save the World" is the debut adventure of two formidable Heroes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781291979770

Book preview

Billy and Esha Save the World

Billy and Esha Save the World

R S Mann

Copyright

Book Title:Billy and Esha Save the World

Author:RS Mann

ISBN #:978-1-291-90179-5

Copyright © 2014 by Author

All Rights Reserved

First Edition 2014

Cover Design Author

For My Mum

Chapter 1

There were moments when she wondered quite what a beautiful Rajasthani Princess like her could ever have seen in such a boorish oaf. At this particular moment she was at a loss to explain it. She looked at this stupid lassi guzzling thick skinned monstrosity with his hairy face and big nose, who whilst she faced dangers that made her shiver in her ghagara and kurta snored innocently. His full belly rising and falling gently as he breathed in and out, his upper right hoof sat resolutely in a bowl of dahin and his pagh had fallen to obscure his left eye.

Bhefgoof she scowled angrily at him.

What had ever possessed her to marry this dreadful Punjabi buffalo? Her parents had warned her against marrying outside of your own people, but she was young and beautiful, headstrong in those days and not likely to listen to anyone, let alone her parents, even had they been there to express an opinion. So after a whirlwind romance, where he had showered her with gifts of beautiful clothes and expensive perfumes. Where he had her serenaded by the birds of the forest and even some from far away. They had married with Siva’s blessing in a most extraordinarily lavish wedding that was attended by many highly important creatures. Where she, as the centre of attention, had felt like the most beautiful girl in the world, which she had incidentally believed to be something approaching a fact. But she had soon realised that this dashing Bahadur Singh, with his immaculate pughari and his highly decorated Jugi, was less than the dashing young Prince she believed him to be, her parents may have been right about marriage she had often been forced to conclude on more than one occasion, but as she looked at him sleeping peacefully, his belly rising and falling she had to admit that she did love him despite his flaws.

She daintily picked up a half dozen ladoos  with her trunk and stuffed them into her mouth expertly as she made her way to the computer console, she always ate when she was nervous, luckily she still maintained her schoolgirl figure and could afford such an extravagant response to danger.

Think Eshwar she thought, think of those far off days when you would delicately skip through the jungles of her homeland and gaily trumpet carelessly with your friends beside you, usually behind you of course – you were always the boldest and most carefree of the local girls.

She smiled as she remembered that special day long ago when she and her friends, Aarti, Babita and Khushboo had been skipping through the jungle as normal, having great fun, laughing and joking, teasing each other. They would tease Aarti about her frown lines and said that if she didn’t stop frowning so much she would never find a husband, Aarti was such a studious type but very clever. They would tease Babita for

her chubbiness as she was overly fond of food and tamarind in particular she had such a sweet tooth and they would tease Khushboo for her large ears saying that she could easily be mistaken for an African, the teasing was all light hearted and no one ever felt hurt as they knew that they loved each other very much and would always be friends. However no one ever teased Eshwar, she was almost without fault, so gentle and gracious yet so bold and beautiful, they all knew that Eshwar was the leader of the little group.

It was day just like any other that day, the langur monkeys chattered high in the trees and larks sang happily, it was hot and they had all eaten their fill, although Babita had brought along a few sticks of bamboo to chew on as they skipped, as usual they were singing songs as they went, but suddenly they stopped, elephants have a highly developed sense of danger and they had all frozen to a stop, everything looked the same, but something about the air tasted different.

What? asked Eshwar of the others somewhat huffily, she had been the last to pick up the scent and had felt a little foolish having carried on singing when the others had stopped, she would never have admitted it to the others but she didn’t think that he singing voice was quite as beautiful as it should have been for such an exquisite creature as herself.

Something feels different said Babita a little nervously.

Yes…I know that, of course, but what? said Eshwar she had maybe not been concentrating before but now that she took a good sniff, there was indeed something different.

I think we should go home said Khushboo always the least intrepid of the group.

What? said Eshwar incredulously Are you saying that I.. a Rajput princess, should be deterred from a walk in my own forest?

N-n-n-no said Khusboo I just thought..

Do not even the Tigers know better to glance askew at me? Would not my father grind any Tiger into a Chinese potion for looking so at me?…. Or my friends of course Eshwar softened her tone somewhat and fluttered her eyelashes a little she could see that the others were genuinely scared.

It’s not a Tiger said Aarti her brow more creased than ever. This is something entirely different, Eshwar, you know that no one would ever challenge you, but this is something that none of us have ever felt in the air

The others nodded in agreement, whilst Aarti respectfully frowned even more.

Hmmm said Eshwar Are you telling me that our afternoon stroll is to be interrupted by this…. Funny smell?

It’s not a funny smell… said Aarti Not funny at all

This smells like something old

Something Old? said Eshwar mockingly.

Something very old said Aarti

Older than my grandmother, who still yet lives to watch my Father?

Much Older said Aarti respectfully but firmly

Ridiculous said Eshwar There is nothing in this forest older or wiser than my grandmother she snorted indignantly.

I am carrying on with my walk, and I would imagine that you girls will be accompanying me

The others looked at each other and Aarti nodded.

They carried on as before, except no one was singing now, and what should have been familiar felt eerie, what should have been light hearted felt portentous.

Khushboo was the first to dissent. I’m scared she said even the monkeys had stopped chattering now.

You have probably caught your reflection in a pool laughed Eshwar, however no one echoed this.

I’m going home said Khushboo she was already snivelling.

Go home said Eshwar You can all go home. I don’t need you lot

No sooner had she said this than she regretted it, because she’d felt a little scared too, a small feeling in the pit of her stomach which had refused to acquiesce and had become more troubling with every step.

Khushboo was the first to leave, she was trampling vines and kicking up leaves and dust before Eshwar had finished her sentence, she could hear her trumpeting as she went. Babita backed away apologetically still chewing bamboo and muttered a sorry before she too turned and ran.

There was only Aarti left.

I think that you should come back with me she said.

Ridiculous said Eshwar

Maybe it is said Aarti "but we shouldn’t take