HERO MY ALL ROUNDER

PREFACE

It is not unusual now a days to get lost in a book stall in search of an apt book for children, as most of the books on shelf are either many representations of the same age old Panchtantra type of moral story books or mundane educative books or fictions written by those who are not of the age of those for whom these books are meant. Here is a unique presentation of a fiction story meant for children from the eye, heart and feel of a child and if adults too read and enjoy it is just reversing the trend!!! And may be for better!!!!

The story “HERO MY ALLROUNDER “ is conceived and thought out by Abishek who was then studying in Class IVth and written by me. It is a fiction that revolves around a family of 2+1 and Hero. This story is a representation of the feelings of a young boy in various social occasions presented in today’s society.

I sincerely hope this story will be read and enjoyed by people of all ages but particularly the kids and it will also go a long way in bringing out the author in every child and will turn out to be motivation for all of them, at budding age , to get into the habit of story writing.

I am presenting the story chapter-wise in 16 Chapters that follow.

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 1

June 13th 1999, Day Sunday, Time 5 p.m.,
Place Allahabad (U.P)

It had been a very enjoyable Sunday for me as dad had played cricket with me with my plastic bat and ball in the morning. I, JIMMY, was just about five years old then. After a good nap post lunch my dad, CAPTAIN, my mom, HELEN and myself were on our evening walk in the colony where we lived. It had rained in the afternoon and had left signs of it on the road making it a bit slippery.

The weather was very pleasant with a good cool breeze .We could hear birds chirping and flying back to their nests. We had walked about a kilometer away from our house and were about to turn back for return walk to our house when suddenly we heard a very loud sound at a 20-meter distance ahead of us.

We could see a white Maruti 800 car stopped in the middle of the road and as we were approaching the place from where sound came we could see the Car speed away. A mother and a baby were crossing the road and had got crushed on the spot, by the same white Maruti Car.

Surprising though it was, there was no usual crowd gathering around the accident spot. On close observation we saw that the mother had died but the baby had survived. The baby was so small that it had no clue as to what had happened.

I was very nervous, as though, I was the reason of a mother and baby separation. I was staring at the scene helplessly. I noticed my parents were a bit unconcerned like many others who walked / motored past the scene. I slowly walked towards the baby who by then had moved a distance away from the dead mother and I lifted the baby in my arms.

The baby had very innocent eyes and white snowy hairs all over his body. The small puppy took out his tongue and started licking my hand and in a jerk I dropped the puppy. The puppy was lying still looking into my eyes. I looked towards my parents, deep into their eyes, looking for a possible option of taking the puppy with us. My parents were very kind hearted. My mom just blinked which I could understand meant yes. I jumped into the air with joy.

We brought the puppy home and named it HERO. Immediately I brought my old feeding bottle and gave it to my mom to fill it with milk, which she promptly did. HERO was very hungry and he fully emptied the milk bottle and slept in my lap. I brought my mattress and put HERO to sleep on it . I covered him with my bed sheet.

...CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 2

The next day after my dad left for office mom and I went to the market to purchase various daily needs of HERO. We purchased a small folding Cot, Soap, Shampoo, talcum powder, biscuits, toothpaste and toothbrush for HERO. We also gave two pairs of clothes to be stitched for HERO to a tailor.

I had selected each of these items. My mom was amazed to see the excitement in my eyes. HERO was always wandering around me all the time.

With every passing day HERO was slowly adjusting with all the members of the family and was becoming a part of the family. HERO got a lot of love and affection from our family and slowly forgot about his mother. It was a good time pass for me as all my summer holiday I was teaching all the good habits to HERO like going to toilet in the morning, brushing teeth and taking bath.

I was keen to give HERO a new start to his life and undertook it as my responsibility to do so. I wanted to give HERO an identity of any human being in the society. I took a small ball and started to play with HERO. Hero was very quick in picking up things and matched my expectations.

My parents were also helping me in teach new things to HERO. I brought a small basket and used to go to a shop close by to bring provisions for home as and when required along with HERO. The basket used to be on Hero’s neck. Slowly I also taught HERO how to give money to shopkeeper and collect back change.

My school had reopened after summer vacation. Three months had passed and now HERO was even able to recognize currency notes. In daytime mom used to take care of HERO. Evening when dad returned home , HERO used to stand on two legs and wish him. I had even taught him how to shake hands and welcome guests.

During my study time HERO used to switch on the table lamp and sit next to the table without disturbing me. During dinnertime all the family members including HERO used to assemble on the dinning table. With vib put around the neck and seeing everybody eat HERO also used to try to eat the same way. He had learnt all the table manners.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 3

HERO had such good habits that taking him out was never a problem. Everyone outside also used to love HERO. He was unable to speak but he could understand everything.

Any stranger coming to our house had to pass through the check of HERO. By now HERO had become 8 months old. One day in the afternoon when my mom was alone in house somebody pressed the doorbell. There was a door-to-door salesman selling carpet at throwaway prices and hence my mom opened the door. HERO was sleeping.

As the person entered our house HERO could smell something fishy and he got up but for some strange reason he never barked he brought the telephone remote handset and kept it next to my mom and stood next to her. Really that person was not a salesman, he took out a country made pistol and put on my mom’s temple and demanded keys of the safe.

Within a split second HERO jumped and caught that man’s hand with his sharp teeth and stood on his hands and pointed at the telephone handset to my mom. My mom though in shock lifted the remote set and switched it on and could hear a policemen voice on the other side, HERO had already dialed the police and kept them online. My mom called the police and within 15 minutes the police reached our house and caught the fraud salesman red handed.

My mom had thrown a party in the evening as she was very happy and all who had gathered were admiring the intellect of this young puppy. Only next day through newspaper we came to know that this salesman had looted many houses in similar fashion in the city and police recovered valuables worth lakhs from the person. Suddenly HERO of our house had become the talk of the city. HERO was proud of his achievement but he took it as his duty.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 4

Hero’s desire to learn new things was increasing by the day and so was my curiosity to teach him new things as this was helping me also in learning how to teach new skill to someone who had very little idea of these skills.

I was very fond of computer games and particularly enjoyed playing “ROAD RASH “ a motorbike racing game. HERO always used to sit next to me and keep observing me play the games.

It was Saturday and I was watering the flowerpots at home when HERO came to me and started persuading me to come inside the house. I was not keen to go inside immediately but HERO pulled me to the computer room by softly catching my shorts in his mouth. When I reached the computer room I saw that already the PC was switched on and ROAD RASH game was open in it. I thought my mom would have switched it on but I remembered that my mom had gone to the market to fetch vegetables leaving behind HERO and me.

I saw HERO was shaking his head, I asked him “ HERO did you switch on the PC “, and he answered with a positive shake of his head. I could see desire in Hero’s eyes to learn the game. I wondered how could I teach a computer game to HERO but then I decided to at least give it a try. I made HERO sit on a chair next to me and first told him about the various functions on the keyboard in use for this game viz the arrow keys, enter key and insert key. First I made HERO press the enter key which made the game ready and slowly started hand holding him on the game.

After about one week of teaching finally the moment came when HERO started playing the game from start to end, it was a very satisfying moment for me. In first full game his rank in race came 12th. HERO never liked defeat and he kept on trying and finally after about two months HERO achieved the 1st rank in race. HERO and myself were very happy that day. We put on the music and danced and celebrated the success. This day I realised that HERO is capable of learning anything and I can teach him everything , I just need to be patient.

Hero’s success in learning Road rash had motivated me beyond bounds to teach him more and more new things. Those days I was learning some tunes on Keyboards and one of the tunes was birthday song. It was 3rd June and two months from now was my sixth birthday and I had the desire that HERO should play birthday song on keyboard that day.

First day when I started playing keyboards, HERO did not show any interest and went onto the computer. Then I decided to take Dad’s help. Dad made HERO sit next to him and I played Birthday song on the keyboard for about two hours, repeating the same tune again and again.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 5

Slowly HERO started taking interest in Keyboards .He moved close to the keyboard and started taking a close look at it. I also cajoled him to come close to the keyboards. Next day when I started playing the keyboards, HERO came to me on his own. This gave me confidence that HERO will surely learn keyboards and I will be successful but the job was tough. I knew teaching keyboards will be far difficult than teaching computer games as it involved only four buttons to be used on computer keyboard whereas keyboards had number of keys to be used and some of them simultaneously using both the hands. But still dad and myself were trying our best.

HERO was blessed with a sound brain. He was never perturbed by inability to pick up fast. First I taught him only those keys from which “Happy Birthday “ sound came out.

Hero’s birthday was also approaching. I was wondering as to what way we would celebrate his first birthday. Seeing me worried HERO thought I am worried with his slow progress and he started practicing the keys, which I had taught him on Keyboards. I understood HERO first wants to practice only the “Happy birthday “ keys, I also left HERO to practice that and myself, dad and mom got into making plans and preparing for Hero’s first birthday. It was 10th June today and Hero’s birthday was just three days away.

I was keen to celebrate Hero’s birthday in a big way. I sought permission from both mom and dad and I was too glad to hear that they were also thinking in the same lines. We got on with making list of invitees. Some close relatives, my friends and my dad’s friends were part of the list. All put together about fifty people were invited, we had personally given invitation cards to all to grace the occasion and be part of the unique celebration. Dad had arranged for a cook to prepare food as per menu decided by mom. Mom had ordered for a 4 kg cake. Dad and myself went to the market to purchase decoration items and we also purchased a ready-made dress for HERO.

We came back to home and took rest. Today is 12th June and tomorrow is Hero’s birthday. I was very excited and slept in the night with Alarm clock. As night passed the Alarm clock rang in the morning at 6 am. I got up and straight went to HERO and wished him many happy returns of the day. Mom and dad too came and wished HERO they had a chocolate box in their hand that was handed over to HERO. HERO got up and bowed and accepted all the good wishes from us.

After breakfast I started decoration of the house. HERO was helping me by giving all the decoration items one after another. Mom was also helping me and we finished decoration of the house by 2 pm.

At about 3 pm I took HERO to a nearby barbershop for haircut. We returned home at 4 pm. First I got ready and then dressed up HERO. Dad had also returned home after collecting cake from the shop.

HERO, dad, mom and myself were ready to receive guests. From 5 pm my friends started coming and by 6.30 pm all the guests had arrived. Soft drinks and snacks were served to all the guests.

Now the time for cake cutting had come. Cake of rising sun design was looking great. On top of the cake was a candle of No. 1. HERO was unable to blow off the candle and than my dad blew off the candle. I was playing the happy birthday song on the keyboards. Dad and mom gave a knife in Hero’s hand and helped him to cut the cake. Every body was singing the birthday song in chorus. Cake was served to everyone. We had arranged some games for all. We first played the games than dance and followed it up with dinner. Every one had enjoyed a lot and was thanking us for arranging such a unique party.

It was time for the guests to go back. We had arranged return gift for all. We were very tired but also we were happy that Hero’s first birthday was so successful and enjoyable.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 6

Next day we opened and saw all the gifts that people had brought for HERO, they were really nice gifts. Then we arranged the entire house back too normal.

Once again I started teaching Happy birthday tune to HERO on the keyboards. By now HERO was able to play the two words “Happy Birthday “ comfortably. After about a month’s hard work and practice HERO had started to play the full first line of the birthday song. I was very happy that one after another I was succeeding in teaching new things to HERO.

In one and a half months time HERO started playing the full birthday song. My birthday was also approaching. I was daily giving practice to HERO. Third of August was my birthday. As always dad and mom were busy in deciding finer points about my birthday celebration. That day morning mom and dad wished me with a gift and chocolate. And then we saw HERO was coming from garden holding a fresh rose in his mouth. I immediately started laughing. HERO came close to me, gave me the flower and started jumping over me. I lifted HERO in my arms and he started kissing and wishing me happy birthday.

That evening we all went to a restaurant where all guests were invited for my birthday. I had carried my keyboards with me. I blew the candle and cut the cake and HERO started playing the happy birthday song on the keyboards. Everyone present in the restaurant and my friends were very surprised. Some people came close to HERO and started touching him, thinking it was somebody in fancy dress of a dog. All were unable to understand anything. They were murmuring amongst themselves and pointing at HERO.

Mom and dad were proud of me and were kissing me repeatedly. I also lifted HERO and started loving him. I was thinking in one year how much both HERO and I had changed. I had become a boy who understood all his responsibilities.

Time was flying away and HERO was daily urging me to teach him new things. By now HERO had started helping mom in various house hold works. Setting dining table along with me, dusting the house and helping mom in kitchen was now part of his daily routine.

In daytime whenever I was in school and mom busy in household work she used to send HERO to market to get anything she needed. Mom used to put basket in Hero’s neck and money and list of things in the basket. The shopkeeper used to take out the list from the basket and give all items and take money and return change back into the basket.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 7

One day HERO saw dad-wearing sunglasses. Now HERO also wanted sunglasses. On the way back from office that day dad brought a sunglass each for HERO and me. We put the sunglasses on HERO he stood in front of the mirror and kept on staring at himself. He was thinking he had really become a hero. Every new act of HERO was making a deep impression on our hearts. Now HERO had become expert on keyboards and computer games.

As always that day evening I was watering the plants in our garden, my mom had gone to the market. I noticed a lot of birds were making sound and wandering over our garden. I thought they are seeing something that I was unable to see. HERO was also there and playing with his ball close to me. He too heard the noise of the birds. He also started seeing here and there and he suddenly jumped on me and made me fall on one side. I got very angry with HERO and gave him a slap and shouted at him. Poor HERO somehow controlled me and showed one corner. I really got scared. A pair of snakes was there, just next to place where I was watering. I was completely speechless. HERO quickly called everyone in house. A snake charmer was called and he lifted the pair from our garden.

I was feeling ashamed of myself. I was wondering how I became so angry on HERO. I had tears in my eyes and was imagining what would have happened if HERO was not there today. I took HERO in my arms and said sorry to him. HERO also kissed and excused me. When mom returned from market I narrated her the whole incident. Mom was very worried and told the same to dad on his return.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 8

Our neighbours used to be very attracted towards HERO. All used to wish that they also had a pet like HERO in their house. One of our neighbours Mr. Alvin brought a small female puppy in his house.

I think the puppy was one or two months old. They named her Jolly. Jolly was very beautiful and had snowy white hairs like HERO. On seeing Jolly we were reminded of young HERO when we had brought him to our house about a year back.

Jolly frequently used to come close to HERO and used to love HERO a lot. She used to constantly keep staring at HERO. When Mr. Alvin used to come to take Jolly away she never wanted to leave HERO and go. While going she always used to get tears in her eyes.

On seeing that puppy daily I also used to get a very different and strange kind of a feeling. But I could not keep Jolly in our house always as Mr. Alvin had brought Jolly with lot of love. Mr. Alvin was a very kind hearted person and he used to daily drop Jolly in our house in Hero’s company.

HERO and Jolly used to talk with lot of love and affection in their language. We could not understand anything but we were sure they are talking something that is very important. Whenever Jolly came to our house HERO used to stop playing and used to keep on talking to her.

On seeing Jolly one never believed that she is 2 months old puppy. By her behaviour one always got a feeling that she is elder to HERO. Whenever HERO was not drinking milk properly Jolly used to bark and scold him.

Mr. Alvin used to regularly drop Jolly at our house so that she learns all the good manners and skills of HERO. But as it appeared Jolly was teaching HERO and taking care of him.

But on seeing both together I used to feel very happy. By seeing the love between HERO and Jolly I always used to wonder that if similar attachment and love can ever exist between two human beings. By now Jolly had completed 4 months with Mr. Alvin. Because of Jolly Mr. Alvin was frequently coming to our house. He had become like our family member.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 9

That day a couple of friends of my dad had come to our house for dinner. Dad had called Mr. Alvin also and Jolly also came along with them. Everyone was sitting and talking in the drawing room. We were telling the guests about HERO.HERO played a song on the keyboards. One of dad’s friend, Mr. Gomes, who was present had lot of attachment with animals.

Mr. Gomes was doing research on possibilities of animals living as cultured a life, as human beings. He could understand language of most of the pet animals. He was very happy to see the togetherness of HERO and Jolly. He was quite attracted towards the two. Mr. Gomes was repeatedly saying that this is the first time he is seeing such dogs.

I was also asking a lot of questions to Mr. Gomes and was trying to understand as much as I could about various animals and particularly dogs. I was learning a lot from Mr. Gomes. I was very keen to understand how Mr. Gomes could understand language of all the pet animals. I had only read such things in books or seen in cartoon films but meeting a person who could do all this was filling me with excitement.

As usual both HERO and Jolly were intimately talking to one another. I requested Mr. Gomes to find out what were they talking. Mr. Gomes went near to them and started hearing their conversation. Suddenly power went off and our power back up was not working. HERO and Jolly started talking more freely. I brought an emergency light and kept it in the room.

Mr. Gomes asked dad are these two mother and son. I said, “No, Jolly is younger to HERO “. But Mr. Gomes kept on saying that the two were mother and son. He further said that Jolly was telling HERO that he is her son and he should come and live with her.

Mom, Mr. Alvin, and myself were all surprised and were wondering how this is possible. We were completely in disbelief that this is possible. Mr. Gomes said this is case of re-birth. He further said that next day he would get Mr. Joseph, his friend, who has much deep knowledge in these things for final confirmation. We had seen such things in films and read about it in books but seeing such thing in front of our eyes in our own house was so very interesting.

Next day Mr. Gomes and Mr. Joseph came to our house. Mr. Joseph started talking to Jolly .We all were looking the two in complete disbelief. We were just waiting to see what happens next. After Mr. Joseph finished his conversation with Jolly, Jolly asked him to come out somewhere. Jolly was leading all of us to some place. Jolly took us exactly to the same spot where on 13th June 1999 accident had happened. Jolly started telling everything to Mr. Joseph in language which only he could understand fully. Mr. Joseph was also hearing the whole thing with lot of interest.

Jolly started talking to HERO also and Mr. Joseph was hearing everything. After about one hour Mr. Joseph told something to both HERO and Jolly and all of us started back for our house. We were keen to know the outcome of everything. On reaching home, Mr. Joseph told us everything. He told us that Jolly told him that she had given birth to HERO and HERO was just one day old. She was very weak at that time and she was crossing the road with HERO in her hand. As it was evening and the sunlight was dimming and also the road was slippery, she could not notice the speeding car in time and by the time she could turn and run the car had already hit her. She somehow covered HERO and saved him.

We all were looking at each other agog, as all this was cent percent correct. By now Jolly and HERO were in each other’s arms. I had never thought in my dreams also that one day I will witness such a strange love, separation, rebirth and again meeting.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 10

Myself and my family as well as Mr. Alvin and his family were very astonished by this rebirth and used to tell this story to everyone whom we met. Now whenever Jolly came to our house we used to call her Hero’s mother. Similarly in Mr. Alvin’s house they used to call Jolly as Hero’s mother.

Now the relationship between the two puppies’s had a name – Mother and Son. It used to look strange because mother was younger than the son. Still this relation had a very strong cord. It was a deep relation that was re-established by almighty. No body could dare break this relation now. It was a reunion of a mother and child.

HERO and Jolly always used to live together and only in night they used to come to their respective houses. One-day mom, dad and myself were going to one of my friend’s house. I took Mr. Alvin’s permission and kept HERO in his house. Mr. Alvin was reading a fiction book at that time. He gave milk bread to HERO and his mother and again got deeply indulged into reading the novel. He was reading the latest edition of J. K. Rowling’s “ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire “. This was the fourth book on the Harry Potter series. The interest of Harry Potter series was such that if one starts reading the book one would never leave it till the novel is finished. Harry Potter was a wizard and at times I got a feeling that he is doing everything in our house now. Everything that revolved around HERO looked like under influence of Harry Potter. As long as one is engrossed in this novel one feels one is in a different world where everything and anything is possible.

Mr. Alvin was similarly lost in that book ,in his own different world ,when at 11 pm I rang his doorbell to fetch back HERO. Mr. Alvin’s family was not at home and he was alone in house. He was so deeply engrossed in reading that he had forgotten to switch on the light outside his house also. Mr. Alvin opened the door. I told him sorry, as he had to take care of HERO for such a long time. Mr. Alvin was so busy reading the book that he had forgotten that HERO was in his house. I called loudly “HERO “ but I did not get any response from inside the house. Mr. Alvin said, “ See, looks like both have slept off “. I thought let me go inside and lift HERO in my arms and carry him home.

I went inside and saw the plate of milk and bread was there but both mother and son were not there. Now Mr. Alvin got tensed up. I called Dad and mom. Dad and mom also started calling “ HERO. …HERO “ and than we started calling “ Jolly. …Jolly “. But there was no sign of both. Mr. Alvin was also looking for them all around the house.

Mr. Alvin lived in a big house with multiple rooms. We all kept on peeping in each room and kept on calling loudly by now “ HERO…HERO “, “ Jolly …Jolly “. There was no sign or response from the mother and son we could only hear echo of our own voices. By hearing our voices and shouts slowly other neighbours also started gathering in Mr. Alvin’s house. Every one was calling for HERO and Jolly. Every one knew about the mother and son relationship between HERO and Jolly. Mr. Singh, Mr. David, Mrs. Rossini etc all started talking amongst themselves and saying maybe Jolly fled away with Hero.

Although initially we did not like this kind of talk by neighbours but slowly similar doubt started to creep into our minds also. Suddenly it occurred in my mind that there was a friend of HERO and Jolly called Sheru and we could take his help. White coloured Sheru had black spots on his body. Sheru had a very peculiar strength. Standing at one place he could smell things up to 10 kilometers. Sheru was Mrs. Ruby’s pet. Sheru was a well-built alshesian dog. If he used to once bark on any street dog they used to stop coming to that street. But HERO and Sheru were very close friends.

Hearing all this commotion in Mr. Alvin’s house even Mrs. Ruby came there. I told Mom, Dad and Mr. Alvin that we could take Sheru’s help in this. Mom and Mrs. Ruby were friends. Mom asked Mrs. Ruby would she allow Sheru to help us in locating HERO and Jolly. Mrs. Ruby also liked HERO a lot and she promptly agreed for this. Mrs. Ruby immediately brought Sheru. We all told Sheru that it was his turn now and he should try his best in locating HERO and Jolly.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 11

By now it was early morning 2 am and every one was very worried about the where about of HERO and Jolly. Sheru was taken to the place where HERO and Jolly had their last meal – milk and bread given by Mr. Alvin. Sheru started walking and we were following Sheru. After 5 km Sheru stopped near a hospital and started entering it. We were puzzled is Sheru getting smell of HERO and Jolly in this hospital. The watchmen at gate stopped all of us including Sheru. He said no visitors are allowed into the hospital at 5 am in the morning and also pet animals are never allowed. We all requested the watchmen and told him the complete story. He asked us to take permission from the senior doctor on duty for permission to enter the hospital at this time. Dad spoke over phone to the senior doctor on duty and although he was very reluctant initially but he eventually allowed us to come in including Sheru.Sheru took us straight to the Operation theatre. To our surprise we saw that both HERO and Jolly were sitting outside the Operation theatre looking straight into the red light on top of the door. On seeing us a nurse came running towards us and enquired are we relatives of the patient inside.

We were all puzzled as to what has happened. After sometime the operation theatre red light was switched off and a doctor came out. He too asked us if we came for the patient. We told the doctor that we came searching for our dogs. Dad told the doctor he is our HERO and he is Mr. Alvin’s Jolly. On hearing the name HERO, doctor started looking in astonishment towards HERO and said so far I had only heard about HERO and read about his good deeds in the newspaper but I always thought these are well thought out stories rather than reality. I have seen everything with my eyes today and he said your HERO is really an ALLROUNDER.

We were still unable to understand what the doctor was saying. Mrs. Ruby requested the doctor to tell clearly the full thing. Doctor started narrating the whole thing. He told it was 9.30 pm and he was about to finish his duty which ends at 10 pm and was slowly winding up his work when he suddenly heard a loud sound of some vehicle tyre rub on the road as though somebody had suddenly applied brake to a truck. I took it easy as there was a big speed breaker on the road just opposite to the hospital and many times vehicle in night noticed this late and had to apply sudden brake.

Within five minutes I noticed both these dogs enter my room running in. The watchman was chasing them behind. HERO started pulling me by holding my trouser in his mouth as though asking me to come outside. HERO also started pushing the stretcher. I could not understand anything. I came out of the hospital and saw one cycle was there near the speed breaker in completely broken condition and a man was lying next to eat bleeding heavily. I saw his pulse was still there. I thought if these dogs could do so much for a stranger why not I , as a doctor , do my duty of trying to save a life.

I called for stretcher and immediately took the man into the operation theatre. It was serious injury. We searched in his pockets but could not locate anything by which we could establish the identity of the man.

The doctor said I salute to your HERO and Mr. Alvin’s Jolly who saved this man or else he would have been dead.

Dad told the doctor that he will bear all the expenses of this man’s treatment and it is now his duty to find out the where about of this man. Dad thanked everybody who helped us in locating HERO and Jolly and who were on our side during the tense night. We specially thanked Mrs. Ruby and Sheru for the help.

Everyone returned home except dad and me who waited in the hospital for the man to get into his conscious.

It was 8 o’clock in the morning and we were very tired and feeling sleepy and unable to sit awake on the sofa. Suddenly we saw the nurse running towards the doctor’s chamber and we saw doctor also rushing out and heading towards the ICU where the patient was kept under observation after the operation. On his way the doctor told us that the man has regained his consciousness.

The man had regained his consciousness but he was still unable to speak. Doctor told dad that now he is out of danger and I could go home and get fresh and come back. Dad took the list of essential things to be brought and we left for house.

Evening dad and myself again went to the hospital. We carried fruits, juice, milk and water for the man. By now he had recovered quite a bit and was able to speak. He told us that he had no body in this world. He told us his name is Rozer and he works in a private company as administrative officer. We took the phone number of his office and informed his office. A number of people from his office came to the hospital within an hour and started taking care of him.

After a week Rozer was discharged from hospital. After getting discharged from hospital Rozer came straight to our house. He was carrying a number of gift packets with him. He had brought gifts for HERO, Jolly and Sheru. He told although he has no relatives in this world but that day HERO and Jolly both came as god and saved his life. Rozer had got attached to our family.

Rozer used to work in a private company as administrative officer was a fact known to us but he further told us today that on the day of accident his final interview for Indian Administrative Services had taken place and he was coming from Church after praying to god so that he qualifies in the interview when the dreadful accident happened. After three days Rozer’s IAS exams final result was to come and he was eagerly waiting for it.

After three days the IAS results came and Rozer had got selected in IPS cadre and was to go for the training after a week.

Rozer left for his one year IPS training. He did not know where he would get posting after his training. Before leaving for his training he had come to our house and thanked each one of us and particularly HERO, Jolly and Sheru because of whom he was safely going for his training today. He had tears in his eyes so had we all including HERO.

We again got busy in our life and slowly started to forget Rozer.

....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 12

HERO, Jolly and Sheru used to make a team. My friends and I used to be the other team. We used to play a number of games, competing fiercely to win. My friends had also got mixed up with these pets.


It was Christmas holidays and we as a family used to daily go out to have fun. German circus was in town. It was close to our house. We all planned to go together so that it becomes a sort of picnic. We were about 25 people who went to see the circus. Along with us HERO, Sheru and Jolly had also gone.

We were all seated in the first row so that we could take a close look at the various actions. One after another lot of entertainment was lined up. All through Jolly was very uneasy and was almost jumping out of Mr. Alvin’s grips. Mr. Alvin was unable to control Jolly and hence he decided to return back home with Jolly even before the show was over.

Mr. Alvin came to the parking and was taking out his car when he saw somebody came running close to the car. He requested Mr.Alvin to come and meet the Manager of the circus. Mr. Alvin was not able to understand the matter. He stopped his car and went to the Managers cabin. The Manager a fat bulky person called Pinto started loving Jolly. Mr. Pinto told Mr. Alvin that he is keen to take Jolly in his team. He said he has been noticing since start of the show that this puppy is keen to enter the ring. This clearly shows that she wants to join the circus.

Mr. Alvin got angry at this proposal of Mr. Pinto. He said asking for Jolly is like asking for my life. I cannot part with her. It will be end of my life and I cannot live without her. Mr. Pinto tried explaining Mr. Alvin a lot. Mr. Alvin called dad, mom and me out and told us the whole thing. We all told Mr. Pinto that Jolly is life of Mr. Alvin and he cannot part with her. We all returned back home.

Next day Mr. Pinto came to our house. He persuaded us a lot to let Jolly join the circus. He told us that whatever he earns in circus is used for running expenses of the circus and the profit leftover is used for charity towards orphans. He said , with this a lot of underprivileged are benefited and their good wishes is helping him further in continuing with this work. He said that some good wishes of those underprivileged would be showered on Jolly and Mr. Alvin as well. He said Jolly has interest in circus and within a short time he can make her perfect.

After some time of persuasion Mr. Alvin agreed to give Jolly to the circus provided Mr. Pinto brings Jolly to Mr. Alvin first Tuesday of each month and also that he will never beat up Jolly. Mr. Pinto gave all these things in writing and he took off Jolly. That day none of us ate our dinner and we all were re-collecting the separation, reunion and again separation of HERO with his mother.


.....CONTINUED

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 13

HERO used to be very quiet and sad now days. Perhaps Jolly’s going away again was something, which HERO was not able to bear. He had stopped playing and used to roam about here and there. He had also stopped coming to us.


One day Rozer rang us up and was speaking to us on phone. He was inquiring about everyone. I told him that Jolly had gone to circus and HERO is now lonely. Rozer told us that he was coming to city after about two months. He told us that there was a canine show happening and he was getting with him a number of dogs also. These dogs will display lot of unique activities. He told us that he has already taken some VVIP passes for all of us to attend the show and we can take HERO also to the show. Rozer had already told IG, DIG and Commissioner of police about HERO and his deeds.

We all were eagerly waiting for the canine show. The day of the show came. Rozer had come to our house in the morning. We had breakfast together and than left for the show. We reached the ground where the show was organised. There was lot of rush and lot of people had come to see the show. Our VVIP passes were with Rozer. He took us to the front row. In that row all the top dignitaries including the IG, DIG and Commissioner were siting. IG and Dad were looking at one another when suddenly the IG said “You Captain!” and Dad also replied oh “You Karan!! “. Both hugged each other. Mr. Karan and Dad had their schooling and college together.

We all were sitting together .The canine show was inaugurated by Mr. Karan by lighting the lamp and a small inaugural speech. Immediately 5 female dogs arrived at the scene dancing to the tune. They were dancing beautifully. One after another there were series of excellent displays. Each display had out beaten the other on innovation and perfection. Hero’s mood was also looking a bit changed today. He was watching the whole show very keenly.

These shows were followed with a hurdle race for the dogs. All the dogs were performing very well. But a cute dog called Mini won the first prize. Next was swimming. As the whistle was blown all the dogs jumped into the pool and finished the 100-meter race. Then all the dogs had to jump through the fire circle. It was looking dangerous but all the dogs passed through it with perfection and full safety.

After seeing all this, I thought to myself that still HERO has to learn a lot. I was certain that HERO had such mind and skill that he can learn things very quickly. I was thinking to myself that we should put HERO in police, so that he can do more service to the society and earn name for himself. But the thought of sending HERO away was stopping me from speaking up.

After the show we all thanked Rozer and he had to immediately leave back. We also thanked Mr. Karan and invited him to our house. He promised that he would definitely come one day to our house with his family. He was very impressed with HERO and gave a warm parting handshake to HERO.

We all reached back home. We were very much impressed with the show. I asked mom and dad whether it is possible to put HERO in police training, provided day training was available. I was telling them how much HERO can do service to the society. I told them that HERO can also become a brave dog like the one’s we saw in the show.

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 14

I used to daily think about HERO and possibility of his getting into police. Now my half yearly exams had started .I was busy in exams. HERO was still feeling lonely and was unable to bear the absence of Jolly. I had seen him occasionally cry also. One day evening at 6 o’ clock IG, Karan uncle came to our house. His son was just two months elder to me. His name was Prithvi. His daughter was in class VIIth her name was Prakriti. We three started playing with HERO. Mom, dad, Karan uncle and Karnika aunty were busy in talking about past things. We all were so engrossed in talking that we did not realize that it had become 9 o’clock in night.


We ordered for dinner from outside and within half an hour it was delivered at house. We all sat together and had dinner. Dad and Mr. Karan were very happy as they were meeting after a long time. Mr. Karan was also very impressed to see the manners of HERO. Rozer had told a lot of thing about HERO to Mr. Karan and the balance we narrated to him.

Then I slowly asked Karan uncle whether there is any day boarding for dogs in police for training. Mr. Karan asked the reason of my asking this question. I told him everything that I had in my mind. I told him that I want to put HERO in police so that he can do service to the society and also earn name for himself. I also told him that since I cannot stay without HERO and hence I want him back in house in evening. Prithvi and Prakriti also supported me in persuading Karan uncle. Karan uncle promised that he will keep this in mind and speak to his other colleagues and find out if day boarding can be permitted for HERO.

Mr. Karan and family left our house at about 11 o’clock in the night. I was praying to god that everyone in Police department accepts my request.

HERO was now two years old. HERO had become from a small puppy to a well grown up white snowy dog. Every one loved HERO.I was so much attached to HERO that even though I wanted him to earn name for himself by joining in police, I was not willing to leave him for ever and wanted Day boarding for him.

Time was slowly passing by. One-day mom and dad were having their evening coffee and HERO was having his milk when the phone rang. Karan uncle was on line .I was going to give the phone handset to dad, but Karan uncle said he wanted to talk to me. He told me that everyone in his department had agreed to take HERO in day boarding. He asked us to bring HERO to the office next day at 10 am. He promised that he would give a separate trainer for HERO who will provide the complete training to HERO.

I was very happy and I profusely thanked Karan uncle. I immediately told mom and dad that Karan uncle has given permission for HERO to join in police training as day boarder.

Next day dad, HERO and myself went to Karan uncle’s office. All necessary paper work was completed within no time. Mr. Peter was the special trainer allotted for HERO. Karan uncle introduced us to Mr. Peter. HERO shook hand with Mr. Peter. Mr. Peter told us that he is very happy to be guide of HERO and promised us that he will take full care of HERO.

Dad and myself returned home leaving HERO at the training center. Karan uncle had organised for a duty car to pick up and drop HERO everyday. Now it had become a daily routine, I used to get ready first in the morning and leave for my school at 7.30 am, followed by dad leaving to his office at 8.30 am and HERO to training centre at 9.00 am. HERO was now totally busy.

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 15

Peter had started Hero’s training. First he was taught sign language with this now HERO could communicate easily. Peter’s training was very fast and HERO too had great ability for quick pick up as compared to other dogs.


In first 15 days HERO learnt almost all the complete sign language. HERO was taking very keen interest in his training. Karan uncle was also very happy and was feeling that he has not done any mistake by choosing HERO for this training.

Next step was jumping through fire, long jump and high jump. HERO one after another was learning everything. Peter was a highly experienced trainer and was quick to identify that HERO was out of the ordinary. He was very excited to impart training to HERO.

One Sunday Karan Uncle called us to take a look at the progress of HERO. One after another HERO displayed all the skills that he had learned. I was very scared to see HERO jump through the fire ring but HERO came to me after displaying this as though to tell me that I should not be scared.

I was very happy. Dad and mom thanked Karan uncle for supporting Hero’s training.

HERO by now had reached the final stage of training and had become expert in handling all types of rifles and pistols as well.

Slowly time was passing by. We all were busy in our routines. HERO now was not sad . Karan uncle used to regularly give us update on Hero’s training. By now about 8 months had passed and HERO had picked up a lot. Now HERO was given outdoor training.


HERO was always fit. He had a khaki colour dress with a tie on top of it. One day HERO was on outdoor training along with other dogs and Peter and other police people. They were on the outskirts of the city in a closed jeep. Suddenly a yellow colour Zen sped past them and overtook the jeep. HERO and couple of other dogs started barking. Since the jeep was closed from all sides their voice was not going outside the jeep.

Peter immediately understood that there was some danger in the yellow Zen. Peter asked the driver to follow the Car and also instructed through his wireless set traffic police ahead to stop the car. On observing that a jeep is following the Yellow Zen changed its route and started firing on the jeep. Peter passed on information of this to the police control office. Three more jeeps of police were sent from the control office. After about half an hour of chasing the police jeeps from all sides trapped the Yellow Zen. Firing from both the sides was taking place.

HERO and his two friends , Jackal and Monty , slowly got down from the jeep. All the three dogs moved towards the Yellow Zen and jumped on the Car. There were four people firing from the Car. The three dogs jumped and caught with their teeth on the neck of these people. By now the police also rushed and overpowered the criminals. There was a boy inside the Car who was unconscious. Police brought the four criminals and the boy to the police station. After some inquiry the police found out that the boy was son a big businessman of the neighbouring town.

The boy’s family was informed . After 4 hours of journey they reached the police station. They informed the police that their son was kidnapped about a week back. The boys name was Shashank. Shashank’s mother was very nervous and she took her son in her arms and cried. The parents of the boy thanked the police officers and also HERO and his friends. After about an hour they went back and the criminals were put up in lock up.

HERO MY ALL ROUNDER - CHAPTER 16

After one month on 15th August , Independence Day Celebration , Police honoured HERO and his friends by giving medals for their bravery.

Now Hero’s training had successfully ended and he had become full-fledged police personnel doing his regular duties. In daily routine HERO used to do something or the other out of the ordinary. Karan uncle used to regularly give us update on Hero’s work.

We used to feel very happy and proud whenever anyone praised HERO.HERO had now become a very smart and mentally strong police person.

By now HERO had spent two and a half years in police. HERO was almost like human being it’s just that he could not speak.

It was 13th May today and I was telling dad that after one month Hero’s fifth birthday is coming. I requested dad that this year we will again celebrate Hero’s birthday like his first birthday as the between birthday’s could not be celebrated. I started the planning for his birthday and this time apart from dad’s and my friends we had to call Hero’s friends from the police as well. After discussing all this I left for school, dad for office and HERO to his police station. Mom was busy in her work at home.

At about 2 pm after finishing all the work mom was watching TV. While surfing through the channels she got hooked on to the news channel. She got very worried after seeing the breaking news. Some hard-core terrorist had entered our city. They had captured my school and a hospital next to my school. This area was in Hero’s police station circle.

There were about 15 terrorists. Ten battalions of police were rushed to the spot. HERO was also in it. As Hero’s battalion was crossing my school and going towards the hospital, HERO stood his ground near the school. Karan uncle was on duty and in charge of the operation. He understood the reason of HERO standing near the school. Karan uncle left HERO near the school and took the other staff towards the hospital.

Terrorists were asking police to release some 5 very hard-core terrorists who were in police custody. They were saying if police takes any step towards capturing them they would blast off the school. Police was making its plan. All the students in the school, teachers and principal were very scared. I was seeing through the window of my class when I noticed HERO. Somewhere I had a feeling that if HERO is there something good will happen and we will be definitely saved.

By now parents of a number of students had reached the school and were standing outside at a distance. Police was pushing the parents behind and requesting them to maintain calm.

Peter was also in Hero’s battalion. HERO requested Peter to come in civil dress. Peter understood what HERO was saying and changed himself to civil dress. Hero slowly crawled like snake to the back door of the school. That door opened in the bathroom of the school. By now it had become evening and it was getting dark. HERO noticed that a terrorist was standing there with a machine gun in his hands. HERO swiftly jumped and caught the terrorist by his neck, Peter immediately knocked down the terrorist by hitting him with the butt of his gun. Now HERO and Peter had reached inside the school. They were slowly moving towards the Principal’s office where one terrorist was sitting.

HERO saw me in the room where we were kept captive. All the children were put in one room and six terrorists were guarding us. HERO pointed at me to Peter.

Peter asked him to be quiet. They both reached the Principal’s office and knocked down the terrorist in the room from behind. Now Peter and HERO along with the Principal were moving towards our room. Principal was holding gun of the terrorist.

HERO and Peter both were crawling towards the room. At this time one of the terrorist noticed Peter and came out of the room. Peter tried to catch him but he started firing. Peter also started firing and listening this the other five terrorists also ran outside the room. On hearing gun shots other police personnel also jumped from various sides and reached inside. HERO was also firing with a machine gun. HERO ran through everybody’s legs with a gun in hand and entered our room. One terrorist noticed this and was about to fire at HERO when his sharp eyes noticed this and before he could press the trigger Hero’s bullet had hit him on his hands and his gun fell down. By now HERO had run out of bullets in his hand. One terrorist took aim at HERO, HERO jumped towards him to catch his wrist but mid air the bullet hit him on his tummy. HERO fell on the ground. My eyes got filled with tears on seeing what happened in front of my eyes. On seeing this Peter fired in series killing two terrorists and police caught the other three terrorists. I rushed towards HERO and took him in my arms. HERO was breathing fast. Peter pulled HERO from my arms and started running towards the hospital but Hero’s head had fallen aside. Peter cried loudly and told me “Jimmy, HERO is no more “.

I fell down unconscious on the ground. All the children were safe and their parents were thanking HERO and Peter for it. When I regained my consciousness I was at home. HERO was put on floor covered with white cloth. Our house was full of police and other people. All were standing and admiring HERO. The entire news channels were telecasting this with mention of Hero’s bravery.

But now HERO was no more. Hero’s last rites were done with full police honour. He was called a martyr as he had died saving life of many civilians.

Today is 13th June. Police had arranged a function to honour police personnel who had shown bravery in fighting the terrorists and saving life of many. Karan uncle had invited us also. When Hero’s name was announced for special medal everyone stood up from their seats. My eyes were full of tears. Mom asked me to go on stage and receive the medal. As I was receiving the medal, I was thinking to myself that Hero’s birth as an animal is much better than those human being whom we call Terrorist, human beings who are enemies of society.

We were slowly walking back to our Car after the ceremony, when my foot touched something. As I looked down I saw a small puppy there. I lifted the puppy in my hand and wondered, …"Will he become my HERO ”.