THE UNTOLD STORIES OF INDIAN TIGERS

By Nikhilesh Shrikhande

A Fictional Peep into the Life of Tigers

If you want to walk and talk with tigers, share their turmoils and adventures, observe the tiger mother cuddling tiger cubs, her love, protection, and training read The Untold Stories of Indian Tigers. For the first time, the real incidents of the famous

• Language: English
• Publisher: Punya Publishing
• Release date: Jul 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9789381774120

Nikhilesh Shrikhande

Nikhilesh is an engineer and a management postgraduate who lives in Bangalore and works with a Japanese automobile major in sales and marketing. This book is his first effort to blend truth and fiction to highlight the current state of tigers in our country. He is passionate about conducting the "Love Our Tigers" awareness program at schools, clubs, and societies. Apart from writing short stories on wildlife his other interests are reading and public speaking.

Book preview

1

THE LAKE BATTLE

T he mother tiger—Machli (T16) was viewing the lake from a vantage point of her fort—Jogi Mahal. The Jungle lake was buzzing in action. It’s been a decade since she is holding the fort as a lake queen.

It was a hot summer morning in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The mighty sun was radiating in its full glory. Watching her surroundings she could sense gloomy dull walk of Jhumaru (T20) her son, who was returning from an early morning hunt. Her fifteen-month-old cub was out to test his hunting skills. She understood what possibly must have happened in the jungle.

What’s the matter my son, you look worried? Asked the mother as he reached the viewing gallery.

Ah! Nothing, mother, moaned the young cub and sat down on his favourite rock trying to avoid any discussion.

The way a tiger moves, reveals its mood, said the mother as she continued to gaze at the lake.

Nothing mother, it’s just too hot this morning. Jhumaru attempted to divert the conversation.

My son, defeat or failure should be celebrated and cherished, Machli said looking at her son. Jhumaru knew that nothing could be hidden from the lake queen.

Mother, I can’t…I can’t…hunt! I can’t hunt! Tired Jhumaru was almost in tears.

Who said that you can’t hunt? The lady of the lake —Machli asked.

No one, but I think so as I lost many hunts today, Jhumaru said, with a defeated look in his eyes.

And why did that happen? She toughened her voice understanding the situation.

I have even lost my count on attempts to hunt down a small deer, said the cub in a weak voice as he stood up.

You lost count? No problem. Tell me what did you learn from your morning hunt, asked the mother. It was her primary responsibility to train him to be an independent tiger. There are many deer, can’t we hunt as a pack, as a team, asked the young cub looking at his mother for support.

No, we as tigers live solitary lives; that’s how Mother Nature created us. She gave us all the strength to live and survive alone, answered the queen lovingly but firmly.

It is easier said than done, retorted the young tiger doubting the age-old ways of living.

The mother was shocked to hear those words from Jhumaru, but she continued patiently, What is the difference between attitude and aptitude?

I remember your teaching mother; they are two sides of one coin, answered the young cub.

When I was young like you, it took me 15 to 20 attempts to pull down any prey. It’s not easy to live the life of a tiger. She tried to inspire her son with a smile.

Mother, I remember all the theories you taught me and I even practice them on hunting grounds. I have been using all the techniques, but they all are ineffective at the time of hunting. I have failed many times, said a visibly frustrated cub.

It is okay to fail my son. It is a challenge, face it. Hunting by rule is the reflection of your right aptitude. Life is not easy so is hunting. Believe in yourself and never give up. To hunt is just a small part of our living, you will have to nurture your attitude. As you grow, you will have to bear the responsibility to maintain your own territory. Machli explained to her cub from her years of experience as they walked through a narrow passage of the fort and reached in front of the lake.

Jhumaru was carefully listening to her and understood that parting from his mother was inevitable. That was one of the biggest fears in his heart. Every sub-adult tiger has to separate from his mother and live an autonomous life.

She continued, You see this lake. It has given me lessons of life, till this day. It has taught me to face challenges. It has taught me that no day is perfect. It has helped me to build my attitude.

This lake…how? Jhumaru asked getting more confused.

Mother tiger continued, You know the law of the jungle—the life is an exam, where the syllabus is unknown, and the question papers are not set.

Yes Mother, and he repeated the law.

If you think about the law, you will understand that without aptitude you can’t clear any examination and without attitude, you can’t even attempt any exam in life. Without attitude, your aptitude is of no help and vice-versa. A true tiger needs to develop and balance both. Concluded Machli and paused for his response.

I am trying to digest what you have told, said the young cub.

Machli spoke again looking into his eyes, When I was young like you, it was this lake that taught me, how to be a tiger, we have to be strong and positive even when we miss our kill or lose a territorial battle. He nodded as he absorbed those words of