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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Kids
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Friends / Friendship
- Published: 07/20/2020
Steady, My Friend!
Tillu turtle was worried. Where was Dollo? They had decided to meet near the pond after completing homework. He had been waiting for nearly half an hour but Dollo had not turned up. Finally Tillu had decided to find out and reached Dollo's home.
“No, Dollo went out to play after his studies.......” his mother said with a scornful look at Tillu,“so he went to play with YOU - you good for nothing slow coach!!! I should have known. Let him be back and I shall teach him a good lesson.”
Tillu walked back sadly, blaming himself for going to Dollo's house. Maybe Dollo was playing with his other friends. Yes, Dollo had lots of friends. But Tillu had only Dollo as his friend, in fact he was his only friend!
Tillu's family had moved to this pond near a little village called Storksville sometime back after the pond they previously lived had completely dried up. His parents were diligent workers and soon found good jobs. He also was admitted to a good school.
As for Tillu, school was no fun. Fellow students laughed at him and called him 'slowy', 'slow coach' and 'hard nut'. But he was a pet with the teachers because he was brilliant and a fast learner. Dollo was his classmate, a cheerful and intelligent stork and Tillu had taken an immediate liking to him. All his classmates were storks, frogs and ducks. They ran about the classroom and played games in the field. Tillu being a turtle was no match for them. They never took him in their games. But there was dear Dollo, who always invited him in.
“So what if he is slow?” Dollo would quip, “he is a dear friend and is helpful as well. Guys, count me out if Tillu is not in.” And Tillu would be included in the team. Everybody was in awe of Dollo. Not only was he smart and intelligent, but was also the only child of the village head.
“C'mon Tillu, do your best.”
But Tillu could never play like the others and would soon be out of the game.
~~~~
“Mom, why are we turtles so slow?”
“Son, this is how we are made. Why do you ask? Has somebody been troubling you?”
“Everyone out there makes fun of me. Dollo is my only friend. But he has other friends too. I feel lonely at times.”
Mom smiled. “It's alright, son. They will soon become your friends too. Wait and see.”
But Tillu could hardly agree.
~~~~
This afternoon Dollo and Tillu had walked back together from school.
“Please Dollo, please.....walk slow!. I can't catch up with you.”
Dollo had laughed, “Oh, alright buddy. Come, let me hold your hand.”
“Stop! You are dragging me!” Dollo had laughed again “Alright. YOU hold my hand.” And they had both laughed together.
“Say, how about a game in the evening?”
“Sure....but let us finish science homework first. Er......Dollo, are your other friends coming as well?”
“No,” Dollo had smiled. “Just the two of us. Micky, Rinku and Shiny are going to the movies with their parents.”
Tillu's face had lit up. “I'll see you by the pond in the evening.”
Today he could play with Dollo without any interference from others.
“Mom, home work completed. Can I go to play? Dollo is coming by the pond today.”
“Dollo is such a darling, isn't he, son? He is coming all the way to play with you. I'm glad he is your friend.”
“Yes, Mom, my only friend.”
“Be sure to be back soon. We are having an early dinner....your dad and I are on night shift.”
And off had Tillu gone, happy that he could play with Dollo all by himself.
~~~~
Dollo's mother disagreed with his acquaintance with Tillu. She did not want her son - the village head's son - to have anything to do with the son of daily wagers. Besides, he was a turtle! He wasn't even capable enough to walk along with him. Her son was tall, strong and good looking. How could he be a friend to a slow and ugly creature with a low stature like a turtle?
“Dollo,There are many stork babies and ducklings to play with. They are all of your stature.”
Dollo gave her a puzzled look, “Of course mother, they are all my friends.”
“And what about that turtle-”
“You mean Tillu-? Oh Mother, he is a jolly good friend. and he always helps me with my studies.”
“He is no match for you, Dollo. As I see, of late, you have even started walking slower than usual and hardly run. And I believe that's because you are keeping pace with that ugly thing- forgetting your own capabilities!”
“How rude, Mother! You shouldn't say that, really! My moral science teacher taught us that nobody on this earth is high or low. All have their own qualities and capabilities.”
It was a bit too much for his mother. This time her voice was loud and stern.
“Keep that for yourself! And don't argue! For the last time:I want you to have nothing to do with that no-gooder turtle. You understand?”
Dollo understood well indeed!
~~~~
“Your Mom hates me, Dollo,” Tillu said sadly,“I’d better not be seen with you.”
“Nonsense Tillu. Now look, don't you worry , I'll handle it. But promise me that we'll always be friends.”
Tillu nodded earnestly.
Dollo had cleverly taken the safest way out, never letting his mother know about his meetings with Tillu. And their friendship had blossomed.
~~~~
And now Dollo was nowhere.
Presently Tillu walked towards his home looking for Dollo. It was after sunset and still no sign of him.
By now half the village was searching for him. The village head had even sent for the police . There was the friendly inspector Eagle and his smart assistants- Wingy , the crow, Squeaky, the squirrel and Hannah, the rabbit.
“Spread yourself, all of you,” he ordered,“ and blow the whistle as soon as you see something …....suspicious.”
“Suspicious? You mean he may have been kidnapped?” Dollo's mother was wailing, “He said he was going out to play with friends.”
“Keep your cool, dear,” Dollo's father consoled her, “We shall find him soon.......”
Tillu was nearing his home now. It was quiet and serene near the pond . Mom and Dad would have gone for work. He wished he could also do something to find his dear friend. But what could he do? Nobody would think him worthy of doing anything. He felt helpless and disappointed.
It was then that he heard a faint sound. Alarmed, he quickly withdrew into his shell. There were many hunters looking around for turtles for their meal. Tillu waited, his heart thumping. And then the sound came again - this time it was faint, but clear. It was a faint clatter of agony, of pain and it was from those bushes in the marsh.
Someone was there.
What was he to do? Should he go over and see? Was there a trap? Or a prank by other mates?
A faint groan again.
And as if a spark had ignited, “Dollo....Dollo, is it you?”
No answer. Tillu went closer to the bushes.
It seemed ages for him to reach there.
In the dimness of the evening, he saw a silver white body writhing in the bushes. It was Dollo. Poor Dollo, his soft wings were trapped in the harsh network of the stems. His neck and body were bleeding from the prick of the thorny stems. He could hardly clatter.
Tillu stood stunned.“Oh, Dollo, you poor thing! Who did this to you?”
There was no answer.
What should he do? Mom and Dad were out for work. Should he go to the village and call someone? But that would take a long time! His friend was....dying! Tillu had never felt so helpless.
But he had to do something to save Dollo.
Frantically he entered the bushes , not worrying about the bruises he may get. Tillu slowly started cutting through the hard stems, thanks to his strong jaws. First, he must reach Dollo and gnaw away the branches around his wings. Once his wings were free, he could free his neck too.
By now Dollo could hardly open his beak. He was bleeding profusely and Tillu knew that excessive bleeding will make him unconscious. Silently praying, he continued cutting away the stems and at last reached Dollo.
“Be brave, dear, I am here. I will not let you die.” He continued biting away the thorny stems. He was slow but consistent and at last Dollo's wings were free.
Now for his trapped neck! Tillu was also bleeding in his mouth but he hardly cared. He had only one thought in his mind: Dollo must be rescued.
“Dollo! Dollo! Can you hear me? Get up, Dollo! Oh my God, what am I to do?”
Slowly Dollo opened his eyes and tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth.
“Listen to me, Dollo, you must gather all your strength and try to free your neck. I have tried to clear away the stems, so it may not be difficult. Come on Dollo, try, try.” Even Tillu was beginning to feel faint now.
It looked as if his friend's presence worked like magic. Dollo mustered up all his strength and started to pull himself out. He was groaning continuously, but Tillu was behind him, encouraging him, trying to push him. His idea was to somehow pull themselves out of the bushes and go towards the shallow water where they could bathe their wounds. Water is a life saver, after all!
Time stopped for both of them. Bushes seemed to be never ending. At times Dollo just gave up but Tillu bucked him up. At last they were out of the bushes and then the tedious journey to the water side started. Dollo was breathing heavily but was able to drag himself.
Finally they reached the shore. The touch of little soft waves from the pond almost made them scream. Dollo slowly rolled and let the cool water wash his wounds. Tillu entered the pond , took in as much water as he could and returned.
Dollo was lying along the shore .“Dollo, are you feeling better?” No reply. He had lost consciousness.
But Tillu knew his friend was alive, only he was wounded and tired.
There was nothing he could do now.
“I also must rest a bit,” thought Tillu and lay on the wet mud beside his dear friend. He fell asleep almost immediately.
~~~~
Tillu could hear soft whispers around him as he opened his eyes.
“My child, how are you feeling?”
It was his mom. He looked around and saw almost the whole village around him.
“Mom....Dollo...Where is he? Is he alright?”
Dollo's father stepped up. “He is recovering, but still weak. Do you know that you both were by the shore the entire night?”
“When we returned from our night shift we saw you two lying near the pond. Tried to wake you but in vain. Dollo was looking terrible with so many wounds on his body,” his dad said.
“We did not waste time. Your dad went down to the village to inform Dollo's parents and get help. That took some time but the hospital authorities acted fast and brought both of you here. The village doctor said that everything was under control because the wounds were washed off with water and that had stopped the bleeding”
Tillu sat up and addressed Dollo's father.
“Sir, I am very sorry. I don't know how this happened.....”
The village headman waved his hand,“You don't have to say a word - and don't apologize. But for you I would have lost my only child.”
“But Sir, I want to know, how did Dollo get trapped in those bushes? Has he been able to tell anything yet?”
“Oh, it was his fault.”
Tillu looked up. Dollo's mother came up to him.
“You see he was reaching the pond to meet you. Just for fun and frolic, he ran, flew and dived, miscalculated his flight and landed on those very ghastly bushes. The more he tried to come out, the more he sank into the thorny bushes. His feathers are still very soft, you see.”
“ But Ma'am, when I reached there to meet him, I did not hear his voice. It was only on the way back home that I heard him .”
“That's because it was still early evening and there was a lot of noise around. When you went back, it was very quiet as everyone was indoors.”
“Had I heard him before I could have saved him from all the pain,” Tillu said sadly and looked at Dollo's mother, expecting her to rebuke him.
Instead , she handed him a box of chocolates and said with a sweet smile,“I can never thank you enough, my son. Dollo has told us everything that happened yesterday.” She turned to his parents. “And thank you too, Sir and Madam. Your quick action saved my son. I was wrong about you all the way.”
And then from the crowd emerged his schoolmates – all of them.
“WOW! We are proud of you, Tillu.”
Everyone was smiling and Tillu couldn't have asked for more.
“Dollo wants all of you friends in his room,” the nurse announced.
“Hurrah!” All of them started to rush out and then stopped.
“C'mon Tillu, let's go to see Dollo.”
“You guys go ahead. I can't come with you. You see I am too slow. I'll join you later.”
“From now on, you are going with us, not after us.” And they lifted Tillu high.
The villagers of Storksville clapped and cheered loudly.
Tillu was thinking,“Mom, you were right after all.”
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
Steady, My Friend !(Anju Mathur)
Steady, My Friend!
Tillu turtle was worried. Where was Dollo? They had decided to meet near the pond after completing homework. He had been waiting for nearly half an hour but Dollo had not turned up. Finally Tillu had decided to find out and reached Dollo's home.
“No, Dollo went out to play after his studies.......” his mother said with a scornful look at Tillu,“so he went to play with YOU - you good for nothing slow coach!!! I should have known. Let him be back and I shall teach him a good lesson.”
Tillu walked back sadly, blaming himself for going to Dollo's house. Maybe Dollo was playing with his other friends. Yes, Dollo had lots of friends. But Tillu had only Dollo as his friend, in fact he was his only friend!
Tillu's family had moved to this pond near a little village called Storksville sometime back after the pond they previously lived had completely dried up. His parents were diligent workers and soon found good jobs. He also was admitted to a good school.
As for Tillu, school was no fun. Fellow students laughed at him and called him 'slowy', 'slow coach' and 'hard nut'. But he was a pet with the teachers because he was brilliant and a fast learner. Dollo was his classmate, a cheerful and intelligent stork and Tillu had taken an immediate liking to him. All his classmates were storks, frogs and ducks. They ran about the classroom and played games in the field. Tillu being a turtle was no match for them. They never took him in their games. But there was dear Dollo, who always invited him in.
“So what if he is slow?” Dollo would quip, “he is a dear friend and is helpful as well. Guys, count me out if Tillu is not in.” And Tillu would be included in the team. Everybody was in awe of Dollo. Not only was he smart and intelligent, but was also the only child of the village head.
“C'mon Tillu, do your best.”
But Tillu could never play like the others and would soon be out of the game.
~~~~
“Mom, why are we turtles so slow?”
“Son, this is how we are made. Why do you ask? Has somebody been troubling you?”
“Everyone out there makes fun of me. Dollo is my only friend. But he has other friends too. I feel lonely at times.”
Mom smiled. “It's alright, son. They will soon become your friends too. Wait and see.”
But Tillu could hardly agree.
~~~~
This afternoon Dollo and Tillu had walked back together from school.
“Please Dollo, please.....walk slow!. I can't catch up with you.”
Dollo had laughed, “Oh, alright buddy. Come, let me hold your hand.”
“Stop! You are dragging me!” Dollo had laughed again “Alright. YOU hold my hand.” And they had both laughed together.
“Say, how about a game in the evening?”
“Sure....but let us finish science homework first. Er......Dollo, are your other friends coming as well?”
“No,” Dollo had smiled. “Just the two of us. Micky, Rinku and Shiny are going to the movies with their parents.”
Tillu's face had lit up. “I'll see you by the pond in the evening.”
Today he could play with Dollo without any interference from others.
“Mom, home work completed. Can I go to play? Dollo is coming by the pond today.”
“Dollo is such a darling, isn't he, son? He is coming all the way to play with you. I'm glad he is your friend.”
“Yes, Mom, my only friend.”
“Be sure to be back soon. We are having an early dinner....your dad and I are on night shift.”
And off had Tillu gone, happy that he could play with Dollo all by himself.
~~~~
Dollo's mother disagreed with his acquaintance with Tillu. She did not want her son - the village head's son - to have anything to do with the son of daily wagers. Besides, he was a turtle! He wasn't even capable enough to walk along with him. Her son was tall, strong and good looking. How could he be a friend to a slow and ugly creature with a low stature like a turtle?
“Dollo,There are many stork babies and ducklings to play with. They are all of your stature.”
Dollo gave her a puzzled look, “Of course mother, they are all my friends.”
“And what about that turtle-”
“You mean Tillu-? Oh Mother, he is a jolly good friend. and he always helps me with my studies.”
“He is no match for you, Dollo. As I see, of late, you have even started walking slower than usual and hardly run. And I believe that's because you are keeping pace with that ugly thing- forgetting your own capabilities!”
“How rude, Mother! You shouldn't say that, really! My moral science teacher taught us that nobody on this earth is high or low. All have their own qualities and capabilities.”
It was a bit too much for his mother. This time her voice was loud and stern.
“Keep that for yourself! And don't argue! For the last time:I want you to have nothing to do with that no-gooder turtle. You understand?”
Dollo understood well indeed!
~~~~
“Your Mom hates me, Dollo,” Tillu said sadly,“I’d better not be seen with you.”
“Nonsense Tillu. Now look, don't you worry , I'll handle it. But promise me that we'll always be friends.”
Tillu nodded earnestly.
Dollo had cleverly taken the safest way out, never letting his mother know about his meetings with Tillu. And their friendship had blossomed.
~~~~
And now Dollo was nowhere.
Presently Tillu walked towards his home looking for Dollo. It was after sunset and still no sign of him.
By now half the village was searching for him. The village head had even sent for the police . There was the friendly inspector Eagle and his smart assistants- Wingy , the crow, Squeaky, the squirrel and Hannah, the rabbit.
“Spread yourself, all of you,” he ordered,“ and blow the whistle as soon as you see something …....suspicious.”
“Suspicious? You mean he may have been kidnapped?” Dollo's mother was wailing, “He said he was going out to play with friends.”
“Keep your cool, dear,” Dollo's father consoled her, “We shall find him soon.......”
Tillu was nearing his home now. It was quiet and serene near the pond . Mom and Dad would have gone for work. He wished he could also do something to find his dear friend. But what could he do? Nobody would think him worthy of doing anything. He felt helpless and disappointed.
It was then that he heard a faint sound. Alarmed, he quickly withdrew into his shell. There were many hunters looking around for turtles for their meal. Tillu waited, his heart thumping. And then the sound came again - this time it was faint, but clear. It was a faint clatter of agony, of pain and it was from those bushes in the marsh.
Someone was there.
What was he to do? Should he go over and see? Was there a trap? Or a prank by other mates?
A faint groan again.
And as if a spark had ignited, “Dollo....Dollo, is it you?”
No answer. Tillu went closer to the bushes.
It seemed ages for him to reach there.
In the dimness of the evening, he saw a silver white body writhing in the bushes. It was Dollo. Poor Dollo, his soft wings were trapped in the harsh network of the stems. His neck and body were bleeding from the prick of the thorny stems. He could hardly clatter.
Tillu stood stunned.“Oh, Dollo, you poor thing! Who did this to you?”
There was no answer.
What should he do? Mom and Dad were out for work. Should he go to the village and call someone? But that would take a long time! His friend was....dying! Tillu had never felt so helpless.
But he had to do something to save Dollo.
Frantically he entered the bushes , not worrying about the bruises he may get. Tillu slowly started cutting through the hard stems, thanks to his strong jaws. First, he must reach Dollo and gnaw away the branches around his wings. Once his wings were free, he could free his neck too.
By now Dollo could hardly open his beak. He was bleeding profusely and Tillu knew that excessive bleeding will make him unconscious. Silently praying, he continued cutting away the stems and at last reached Dollo.
“Be brave, dear, I am here. I will not let you die.” He continued biting away the thorny stems. He was slow but consistent and at last Dollo's wings were free.
Now for his trapped neck! Tillu was also bleeding in his mouth but he hardly cared. He had only one thought in his mind: Dollo must be rescued.
“Dollo! Dollo! Can you hear me? Get up, Dollo! Oh my God, what am I to do?”
Slowly Dollo opened his eyes and tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth.
“Listen to me, Dollo, you must gather all your strength and try to free your neck. I have tried to clear away the stems, so it may not be difficult. Come on Dollo, try, try.” Even Tillu was beginning to feel faint now.
It looked as if his friend's presence worked like magic. Dollo mustered up all his strength and started to pull himself out. He was groaning continuously, but Tillu was behind him, encouraging him, trying to push him. His idea was to somehow pull themselves out of the bushes and go towards the shallow water where they could bathe their wounds. Water is a life saver, after all!
Time stopped for both of them. Bushes seemed to be never ending. At times Dollo just gave up but Tillu bucked him up. At last they were out of the bushes and then the tedious journey to the water side started. Dollo was breathing heavily but was able to drag himself.
Finally they reached the shore. The touch of little soft waves from the pond almost made them scream. Dollo slowly rolled and let the cool water wash his wounds. Tillu entered the pond , took in as much water as he could and returned.
Dollo was lying along the shore .“Dollo, are you feeling better?” No reply. He had lost consciousness.
But Tillu knew his friend was alive, only he was wounded and tired.
There was nothing he could do now.
“I also must rest a bit,” thought Tillu and lay on the wet mud beside his dear friend. He fell asleep almost immediately.
~~~~
Tillu could hear soft whispers around him as he opened his eyes.
“My child, how are you feeling?”
It was his mom. He looked around and saw almost the whole village around him.
“Mom....Dollo...Where is he? Is he alright?”
Dollo's father stepped up. “He is recovering, but still weak. Do you know that you both were by the shore the entire night?”
“When we returned from our night shift we saw you two lying near the pond. Tried to wake you but in vain. Dollo was looking terrible with so many wounds on his body,” his dad said.
“We did not waste time. Your dad went down to the village to inform Dollo's parents and get help. That took some time but the hospital authorities acted fast and brought both of you here. The village doctor said that everything was under control because the wounds were washed off with water and that had stopped the bleeding”
Tillu sat up and addressed Dollo's father.
“Sir, I am very sorry. I don't know how this happened.....”
The village headman waved his hand,“You don't have to say a word - and don't apologize. But for you I would have lost my only child.”
“But Sir, I want to know, how did Dollo get trapped in those bushes? Has he been able to tell anything yet?”
“Oh, it was his fault.”
Tillu looked up. Dollo's mother came up to him.
“You see he was reaching the pond to meet you. Just for fun and frolic, he ran, flew and dived, miscalculated his flight and landed on those very ghastly bushes. The more he tried to come out, the more he sank into the thorny bushes. His feathers are still very soft, you see.”
“ But Ma'am, when I reached there to meet him, I did not hear his voice. It was only on the way back home that I heard him .”
“That's because it was still early evening and there was a lot of noise around. When you went back, it was very quiet as everyone was indoors.”
“Had I heard him before I could have saved him from all the pain,” Tillu said sadly and looked at Dollo's mother, expecting her to rebuke him.
Instead , she handed him a box of chocolates and said with a sweet smile,“I can never thank you enough, my son. Dollo has told us everything that happened yesterday.” She turned to his parents. “And thank you too, Sir and Madam. Your quick action saved my son. I was wrong about you all the way.”
And then from the crowd emerged his schoolmates – all of them.
“WOW! We are proud of you, Tillu.”
Everyone was smiling and Tillu couldn't have asked for more.
“Dollo wants all of you friends in his room,” the nurse announced.
“Hurrah!” All of them started to rush out and then stopped.
“C'mon Tillu, let's go to see Dollo.”
“You guys go ahead. I can't come with you. You see I am too slow. I'll join you later.”
“From now on, you are going with us, not after us.” And they lifted Tillu high.
The villagers of Storksville clapped and cheered loudly.
Tillu was thinking,“Mom, you were right after all.”
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
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