The Unlikely Guard

The annual spring festival was soon to be held in Champakvan, and the forest dwellers were having a meeting to decide who would take on which task.

- Vivek Chakravarty

"I will dig up the festival and pitch the tents area, with Meeku mouse and Jumpy monkey," Cheeku rabbit announced.

"Damru donkey and Jumbo elephant, will you both take charge of transporting the supplies?" asked Meeku.

"We're up for any task," Damru and Jumbo replied.

"Kitty cat, will you take charge of the decorations?" Cheeku asked, looking at Kitty cat, who was curled up in a spot of sunlight. She had been eyeing the jungle's stock of milk, and Cheeku's question made her snap out of her thoughts.

"I can't do decorations. I have no experience in it," Kitty said, and thought to herself, Hmph! If I get busy doing the decorations, I will miss out on the chance to lap up some of this milk.

"Alright then, Betty butterfly can handle the decorations," Cheeku said. Betty accepted the task by flapping her beautiful wings.

"The last task is guarding our stock of milk," said Cheeku, looking at the list in his hand.

"I think Meeku should guard the milk. He'll do it with ease," suggested Damru donkey. The animals burst into laughter.

"Damru, if Kitty cat gets hungry, do you think Meeku will protect the milk or himself?" Blacky bear laughed and said.

"If that's the case, why don't you guard the milk yourself?" Meeku retorted angrily.

"Sorry! I have been assigned the task of collecting honey. I'll stick to that," Blacky replied.

"Cheeku, I'll take care of the milk," Damru declared, glaring at Kitty. "Let's see who dares to even look at it while I'm watching." Kitty cat immediately averted her gaze.

"Damru, we need more help in doing the physical work and transporting the materials," Cheeku reasoned. Damru silently nodded in agreement.

All the animals looked at each other and asked, "Then who will guard the milk?" "Kitty will do it," Cheeku declared.

"Kitty?! Cheeku, you're giving a cat the responsibility of guarding milk?" Damru asked, bewildered.