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·ANIMAL CONFERENCE
(A satire and allegory on Atom & H-Bombs.)
&
JUNGLE
CONFERENCE
(A satire on Push-button Warfare).
by
SHAUKAT USMANI
(alias Sikandar Sur).
Revised and enlarged
BOMBAY 1954.
Third Edition
Copyright With The Author
Price Rs. 2-8-0

·.
0
and
Printed at Mohamadi Fine Art Litho Works, Mazagon, Bombay 10,
Published by ILA TRADING CORPORATION, 121-22, St. Xavier's
Street, Parel, Bombay, 12.

·DEDICATED
TO
THE MEMORY OF
ANIMAL VICTIMS OF THE BIKINI
ATOM BOMB EXPERIMENT.

·Other works of the author :-
(In English)
Peshawar To Moscow. (In 6 languages)
l'our Travellers. (In 4 languages)
Night of The Eclipse.
(In Urdu)
In Hindi also.
Anmole Kahanian.
Char Musafir.
Fauji Sitara.
1st Edition. May, 1950 (Karachi)
2nd Edition. March 1952
3rd Edition. July, 1954 (Bombay)

·CONTENTS “ ANIMAL CONFERENCE" Page 1 4 Pablishers' Preface Preface Introduction Manguin Republics Animal Conference Second Day Session \Vater-Animal Conference Bird Conference Appendix I. The Last Conference Appendix 11. The Manguins Adopt A Constitution Appendix III. The Conference Ends 17 20 34 48 4.9 50 “JUNGLE CONFERENCE” 55 59 68 72 .. Torerora Introduction Jungle Conference The Simurgh Returns Trance-Thesis Cave-man & His Fate The Expedition Returns Effects of Atomic Experiments & New Diseases Resolutions “Gamba" Dance It Starts Gala Night Supplement Report of the Snake Conference 74 91 94 96 97 98 105 .

·PUBLISHERS' PREFACE Let us put it quite squarely at the very outset that what prompted us to bring out this book was neither the popularity of the author, who has played some part in the Indian political struggle, nor the fact of his twice being adopted by the British working class as their candidate for the British Parliament, once against Sir John Simon. We have not been influenced by his style either and nor his satire had any inducement for us. The simple factor which has induced us to bring out this book is the bare fact that this piece has been accepted by the entire world press, wherever it has been reviewed, as the peace message. The letters of the eminent persons, from the U. N. circles to the Leftists of the world, from the Indian Rightists co the extreme revolutionaries, all had hailed this book as the speace Message', We are also interested in peace, since we do not believe in No other ideologies have influenced us. Wars. We are thus placing this book before our readers to see whether we can correctly advance the mission of peace, Publishers ·PREFACE In the end of the third week of December, 1948, during an evening while I was celebrating one of my birthdays over a tumbler of cold water I was pondering over my contributions of he year. Mental research revealed that I had contributed 24 short stories to the Urdu magazines, some 17 articles to the English Press covering from the Atlantic States to the Middle East and South East Asiatic countries in my treatment. A novel in Urdu and some articles on Art & Literature, I was dissatisfied with the results. The review left me as cold as the cold water tumbler lying before me with its contents cooling my heart or which rather had poured cold water over one more year of my life that was terminating on that day. I said to myself; this will not do, let there be something new. and the new came out of the shelves of my brain. It was the outline of Animal World and the Bomb. My imagination took me to the Downs of the Himalayas, and I took up my pen and traced the outline of the Conference. The first Animal Conference appeared in the Urdu Dawn' on the 1st, January 1949 and in. Socialist'' on the second; and thereafter Conference after Conference came out in three serials, The Indo-Pak Press picked up and reproduced these three Conferences upto the June of that year and may be after that too. This encouraged me and I rendered the whole thing into English, since I do most of my writing and journalism in that language. It ought to be remembered that my first attempt at writing books was in English, and the first piece, which was a child's play went into editions in 6 languages and odd. It seems the Indian sub-continent encourages childish works. The translation of Animal Conference, as soon as it was ready, I sent to an English friend who wrote me back: “find it fascinating". I was thrilled and thanked my friend Montague Slater (a famous British man of letters) for his encouragement, I thank my friend M. Slater for encouragement and my cousin Mr. E. B. Usta, for the picture of Animal Conference. Dated 6th May, 1950. Shaukat Usmani.

·INTRODUCTION When the Urdu version of the “ ANIMAL CONFERENCE" appeared in the vernacular Press many intelligent people approached the writer. These consisted of former Deputy Collectors, Students, Pleaders and Doctors, all with question : “Please, be good enough to elighten us as to against which government is this directed, Is it a satire on Pakistani officia aldom or on the Indian one?" The author smiled and replied, "It is a satire on the lost human virtues of mankind." The readers are requested to judge for themselves the correctness or otherwise of this reply, ·"MANGUIN REPUBLICS" When the great melainorphosis took place in the Indian sub-continent in the third quarter of the year of Grace, One Thionsand Nine Tundred and Forty Seven, great many changes occurred in the brains of men. Men becaine animals, animals turned humane. Vijeynagar ſoods in Rajasthan in 1942 rainy season showed the true gentle nature of animals, wlien all animals, cats and dogs, carnivora and replile, soots and lares, all floated together on the same drifting planks in the swiſt nioving waters of the fooils, withont harming one another. And the 1917 mphraval showed the trne ferocions nature of man. dud thereafter l'isued 21 cia, unprecedented in history, then job-liters and position seekers froni all directions rushed to the role of New Delhi administration pushing aside from their path all those sincere people who had been consistently, persistently and sedulously carrying on the great struggle for the liberation of Mother India. The efforts of the sincere revolutionaries were stopped, cut short and slashed in the way; progress was hampered, the course of national revolution barricaded, and the opportunists demanded their 'que' share in the Chimera--the new administration. Revolutionaries got frustrated: they got more violent-iſ not in deeds than at least in words and spirit. Theosophists inrned into occult alchemists, philosophers into puerile savants. Heroes of yesterday becaine back-numbers, and upstarts became the reinholders of people. The world got topsyturvy; and everything was inverted. It was exactly at this stage in Indian history that our mind turned to finding out as to what was really wrong in man and noble in animals. As the Persian saying goes, "Joinda yabinda” (One who seeks, finds,) we got at the truth. It was wrapped, neatly and carefully, in old manuscripts of sacred leaves of Bhoj patra,* the spacious leaves which have supplied the *In ancient India these leaves wero iisod for writing purposes. Thero are specimen of the same still preserved in all the musoums and ancient families, ·civilised picople of our ancestral age with the wharewithals for putting down their annals and science treasures, at a time when paper was ecarce, and, was as a matter of fact, hot yet invented. To our utter surprise we found out in these wraps that there were '\fanguin Kingdome' Qiroughout the cutire world. Perhaps the derivation of the term "Mangoin' comes from manmals, Inanatec or from mandrill or even from manns3*** r not surebeing neither anthropologists nor any suror asalit. cinio make ont what is meant hy 'Ninguin'. But this 17ich is clear lo us from the study of these sacred leaves of Bhoj pinion that Manguin Kingdoms' were civilised forms of animal veramente which were broken up when the Son of Cain rrolteci on carthi. He broke them up, as he is in the hallituſ loreaking {terything good and beneficial. lerusing the interesting excription from these leaves we became restloss, anil took to the almora Jills in U. P. Far and wide lid we roan in search of trati. 99 truth is always in the mountains. We found out and uncirthed what we needed and sought for. The truth aloni tlır. Pre-Mani-Ago dawned on is as if in a trance, We wery ::,turally, thrilled lig revelations. The wild interested us ir shan the "ciriliscul human surroundings. Wo fonnd mor cerity in the animale, and of course we find very much lip.sincerity in man. Man is cunning. We do not say that women are also sn, since these poor things are just a top in the hands of this species which goes by the name of man. Any way we are not going to intilge in the controversy whether the birth or ri!!!.n of human beings was correct or just a Celestial experime,01 ust a freak of nainre, as they say. We are not much concerzen. But hicie we have to solve a problem about our own-selves. Onr Bombar people thought us lo be lost for a long time. Some thought 19-17 riots had taken the toll and we were in the world of the unknown; some beliered we had evaporated in this ar to appear again. School boys and girls thought we had gone in perform another foot journer like our PESHAWAR TO Moscow”; but none of the things has occurred. There are some of our war time jail males who think rather openly 2 ·and alond that we had left India hecause we were not offered any diplomatic job by the new Indian Govern inent, and that we had, thus offended, gone a way to far off Jamaica to experiment with a new variety of potatoes, or that we had settled down in Florida to open up a poultry farm there, since they allege, we were much interested in gardening and poultry when we were in jail with them. But nothing of the sort has happened; we remain in our country (India) and we assure all that with the assiduous efforts of nearly two years after 1947 it is only now in 1949 that we have been able to dig ont the truth abont the 'Vanguins'. Believe us or not, we liave in our possession, several proceedings of the Animal Conferences, and if one reads them, one will find to one's atter chagrin or dismaymaccording to one's mood, temperament or disposition that the animal world, as before, is once more quite conscious and awake, and is planning against mankind. But man is planning against himself, against his kith and kin. Of course, we are not against man, since we are also unfortunately man, but does it mean to check us from laying down before you the voluininous account of the Animal Conferences.? Te assure our good readers that it is not banned. Even the Nazis would not have lanned such a harmless thing, but then there ig a possibility of the account being banned on the other side of onr Hemisphere. Yon can, in that case, appeal to the Hague Court against such an injudicious action. But remember, the Hague has gone Vagne after the Dutch lost and found Indonesia. 3 ·ANIMAL CONFERENCE In the lowlands of Nepal, iinder the foot of the lofts Himalayas, a lion was leisnrely romping alont in quest of some prey, He was rather moody and a bit philosophical today. His gait was silent and majestic, more so under his reverie: a new habit suid denly acquired under new and changing circumstances. His head was bent, which is no characteristic of this species. Beyond the shrubs he espied an elephant trampling bamboos and scattered leaves of the same. The lion darteil forward and wagging (locilels, like a dog, his long tail, approached the elephant, who was rather startled by this sadden and unexpecter intrusion. The Lion raised his big head, as if wishing, and the elephant canght the gesture in quite a friendly manner. The lion smiled, and with great earnestness and confidence said: "Tullo! The god of dimensions and apostle of bulk and grace! How is your Honour and Greatness? I want to bave some friendly chat, nay, rather some serious talk with you today. I was searching for you all this time. I have been thinking of talking to son for a long time. Good, that you have crossir me now to-day. It is an important matter of common interest. I am prepared to broach if you are prepared to lend your car to me. I want your wise and able opinion on a particular topic of oüi' age.' The elephant raised high his man ic trunk in apprecialion, laughed and said : "Hey! Well, well! Rnt po' at it... :our eternal ad riser, Miss Fox; since when have 1-47 stry! insulting her good.sell?" Lion: "Leave it 5212 foll, Jongh of tbis prattle! I am going to consnlt you on a Fers important subject of life and death to all the animal world. Bo son listen big boss? Elephant: "I am attentive then. Begin please. I am all attention. Lion: “The matter in simple terins is this: We the denizens of jungles have so far strayed and fallen out from one another. I desire that we meet again and ſoment brotherhood amongst 17 4 ·09. ourselves. We deliberate on future problems which are facing Atomic war is very near, and human species is about to cease to exist hereaſter. Once more we shall get the full control of "Mother Earth. We have to deliberate over this possibility of the entire earth falling into our hands once more. Think it coolly. Do you listen great man? This is the problem iny good folk. Do yon realise?" Elepliant: “Yeg, splendid! Then why should we not call a conference of all the animals and decide all outstanding problems and wise questions suggested by your good.self? I am all for it. "To tell you directly as a matter of halit and instinct I do not trust any flesh cater; int since you have approached me today with an open heart, I am reposing confidence in you, I welcome your move and assure you that I have also got very much to say on the atomic war. "Let us give a lead and make necessary preparations for the forthcoming Conference." The elephant trumpeted, lifting up his massive and regant trunk, and the lion roared. The admixture of the two sounds gave a gurgling rattle. A conference was thus announced to all. Moreover, the lion made the fox run the errand and announce far and wide the proposal about the Conference. The coning fux not only announced the conference but asked every one who canne in her way to become the messenger and inform all that sich a momentous huge conference would be taking place on the first of January in the lowlands of Himalayas at a site where human beings would not be able to reach by any means. All approaches to this site were barred and sealed to all mankind. * X All animals assembled; Carnivora, birds, fishes, over-ground and underearth-in a word all having life came to the Conference, Only man was absent. He seemed to have been boycotted. Animals regarded it much below their clignity to tolerate him. He was considered too base to deserve the houqur of their good company 5 ·Crocodile represented the lake and river animals, and Swan and Waterfowl represented the Sea Ilorld.: It was a beautiful assemblage. Cow, Goat, Fox, Jonker, Tortoise, Hare, Ostrich, Giraffe, Camel, Heron, Horse, Deer, Lion, Cat, Leopard, Dog, Tiger, Elephant, Crow, Kite, Kangaroo, Vniture, Cock, etc., all of theni participated in this great mecting. The sile selected was so near the lake that a part of the Conference reflected in its still water. It was a hundred percent beantiful show. Elephant, raising his trunk very high, taking a few steps ont of the ring, bowed rers respectfully to all anii proceeded in his usual inspiring way thus:- Friends and comrades, I request you that the Conference should be dec!ared open and I buobis propose the name of Miss Fox for the Chair." Cat: "What fault has my nephew (meaning thereby, Lion) committed that he should not be propnsed for this eminent post? He is kuown as King of the Jungles; why should then we not accept his name ipso facto as Chairman? Hare, flapping violentis both his cars against one another: "That are you saying my good dame! Don't buit in there wisdom is concerned. This is an age of science and craftiness. It is a Brain-Age; intellect and clererness, diplomacy and tactics are needed, my good dame! It is no more à xuatter of physical valour, Individual prowess counts for nothing Collectire strength is in demand, and this is concentred in our great friend, Miss Fos. Yon understand, I suppose?" Fox, waving sisir her right ear, which was crect, and dropping still lower the left cne, eloried: "Xo, Sir, no. I am unfit for the job. This is a matter of responsibilits and weight, which should be borne by Mr. Elephant or br Wr. Lion. Weight-lifting is not my task. I solve all my problems by a single, slight wagging and motion of my brnishy tail." Laughter all round. Lion:"If I had not to speak too mach in this Conference and put in various suggestions which I have got op my sleeve 6 ·(to put it in the language of mankind) I wonld eurely not shirk or decline the offer so very generously pressed by two piemhers. I thank them and decline. And, I assure all, I am doing no disservice in doing so. Elephant: If I had not a prior talk and negotiations with Mr. Lion then of course I would not have hesitated in putting op his name for the Presidentship. It wonld have been a matter of great delight and pride for me to do thne," Cat, twisting her few moustaches with her paw, "My nephew, please, (addressing the Lion) why don't you propose the name of Mr. Elephant? Has he got less prudence than Miss Fox, I mean no insult or affront to Miss Fox by these remarks, all the bame. ? » Wolf: “ Oh diadame, how to put it! You are impossible! Why are you unnecessarily complicating the issue at stake. Juet see the huge wave (pointing to the delegates ) how many they are, and how many of them can be elected presidents all at the same time, Miss ? How many can preside at the same time in the same Conference? Why shonld we not accept the name of Miss Fox which has been so aptly so aptly supported by Mr. by Nr. Lion himself? Remember, after all, l'ox is the adviser of Mr. Lion." to Cow shook her moon-like horns, Camel, his long neck, Dog wagged his tail, and the Monkey quivered his nostrils in assent. Fox was unanimously elected Chairman. President: Before declaring the Conference open disenssion I wish to thank you all for the honour you have conferred on me. You have amply proved by this bold gesture that we are now entering a new phase, a democratic period of governance; honour to me is honour to all the weak and insignificant animals. I declare the Conference open, with these words, and request Mr. Elephant and Mr. Lion to lay down the main agenda before the House." Lion, with his neck lowered, strode to the side of the President and saluting all, roared and said: " Miss President and Comrades, I thank you all for the honour you have conferred on 7 ·me and on my friend, Mr. Elephant, by responding to our humble suggestion for holding this historic assemblage. It is a grand occasion today to meet you all, thus. I declare from this rostrum of Liberty Iqnalits and Fraternity that we are all one from now on and shall co-operate hereafter just as did our great ancestors in the 'Manguin Kingcloms. Our new Republics will bear the game holy name of 'Manguins' and we shall call our new domains by the sacred name of 'MANGUIS REPUBLICS.' This is my very humble suggestion Open to all criticism. "I am glad to announce that the Satanic rule of man is entering its last phase. It is going to be orer 10w, his his own illdoing. Dan has, hy now, assimilated in himself all the adjuncts of his destruction. These are human contradictions that are liring, ing about his ruin and fall. The invention of tom and H-Bombs is a very happy augory and it convinces us that the descendent of Adam will not survire now any more his own stupid, crazy innovations. "We thank our gnomes anil deities. You are aware perhaps that so long as this aeroplane was not in existence how freels we wandered abont in the jungles, seas, rivers and lakes, but ever since the in rention of this aerial demon-c:is winged inonsterwe are in constant dread. Nobody can predict when this abominable machine may appear up in the skies and drop a bomb or poison gas. You konw how I detest mankinu. I do not approve of anything he does. caillien I read his newspapers whenever I come upon them or have got any leisure for this idiosyncrass. I read these witli interest. “A short time ago a well groomed 'gentleman-at-large', in coat, pants and sola-hat came for hunting me. Mr. Lion put in this sentence with a broad satiric and cynical smile, and the audience roared with laughter. “He climbed" continued Mr. Lion, "an improvised platform on one of the taller trees during the evening and spent the entire night in waiting for me, I am too shrewd not to sense human inischief. 8 ·"The man had a newspaper and in it were wrapped some sandwiches and a good decent amount of other calables. He finished everything and threw down the paper after that. Getting disappointed he came down and took his way back homewards in the morning. I, of course, spared him totally-since I cared less for human flesh than for the newspaper, I being no man-eater. I picked up the newspaper and the first headline which struck me was: 'DEFENCE OF GREAT BRITAIN IJ/POSSIBLE IN ATOMIC WARFART." * I was grieved awfully because of the aſfinities with Winston Churchill, whose face resembles mine very much, and Great Britain is, as you all know, his country.” Just here Lion was interrupted ljy a sharp slırill bark of Dog: "How! How! Hoon! Hoon! Point of order, Aliss President." President: All right, granted, what is that you want to say?" Dog: "I take serious objection to Mr. Lion's remarks alsont Churchill's face resembling bis massive one. As a matter of proved, universally accepted fact, the face resembles with that of our clan in the line of Bull-dog. It is a question of caste. I would not allow a mis statement to go mchallenged." President: "It is not so very important a point of objection, Mr. Dog, you may claim Winston Churchill as your kinsman, we have no olijection. It is quite a minor point, fou see. Mr. · Lion you have the floor. Please, resume.' Lion: "I assure Mr. Dog that I do not insist on iny precede. He may claim Churchill in entirely I have absolutely no oljection to this. We have no quarrel whatsoever on this particular point. Resuming iny original topic, I beg to say that under the headline just mentioned in the newspaper, I read that an Australian Radar expert, a doctor, had asserted that British Isles were unsafe, and none would have the chance to survive in case of Atomic war. He further advised the 40 million Britons to emigrate away to one of the Dominions of the Commonwealth for safety in that case. An actual headlino in a Karachi Daily in the end of 1948. 9 ·"I mean to announce, therefore, in the mirth and pleasure of all, that very slortls we are going to get these Isles for nothing, withont any efforts or exertion on our part. And what of these Isles, we hope to get gradually all the lands of the Western Hemispliere, Eurasia, Africa, Australasia ctc. What was ours once, will be in onr possession once more through the Satanic devilry of man. You know in very wrongfully reprived of our possessions by man when lio acanira inastery over dangerous lethal weapons. "It is just possible that man will not survive the next Atomic War, but even iſ he does, then it is our luty, the special duty of the monkeys and all baboona as also that of the birls not to allow him to re-inhabit the trees like lis ancestors of Prire iliil, nor WC the carnivora are going to give him any opportunity to gain possession of the caves again. We shan't even allow him to come near them. According to my humble calculation, or may I say humbly, according to a vague notion in my head, this Atomic War will begin witbin these fifteen years or less; an as it sequence of this no human being wonid survive any longer. Granted, if some are left unfinished, man is the capable or inventing still more deadlier weapons to finish up his lian progen y'. Man is heading towards extinction and complete destruction. needs say no more. Let others speak, please", So saying Mfr. Lion sat down. 1 Elephant: "I was captured by man daring the last War when Japan in raded India. What I saw 2.. :heard there is marvellons, It is rather incredible and yet true. If I beliere it, my wisdom and logical understanding forbid, if I do not, then my ears and eyes call me a matraser. Beliere me, it is absolutely true. Japanese were talking amongst themselves that some Rags were invented which were more deadly and effective than hundred Atom Bombs. They were known by the name af 'Death-Rays'. Men did not use them jast the same way that Hitler possessed and did not use all the Atomic secrets, and it is said, he desisted from the use on 'moral grounds'. Hitler, it is said, had full control over all Atomic energy but this ‘unholy' task was left to U. S. A. 10 ·to use the Atom Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I am, of course, not concerned with the moral values of the issue, but to us this is a point of mere information." Horse: I was in U. S. A, during the last war, and, as you know, I am the denizen of those parts. I heard it so often there that U.S. A. intended to pound the Soviet Union with the same Atom Bomb, on grounds of class-war. I mean to say that the U.S. A. wanted to turn the war into a class-war and finislı willi, for ever, the danger of Communism, Bolshevism and all 'isins' connected with Socialism; lnt the sad knowledge that the Russians possessed the secrets greater than Atom Bomly and Death-Rays made U. S. A. debiet and grasp realities and forego sentiments. I have nothing more to add to yonr knowlerige in this respect. I wish I could say more but then there will be difficulties when I return, and I might be inrned back as an undesirable denizen, nr might be prosecuted in one of the newly enacted laws to ban free speech." Monkey : They call me imitator, and in my role as such I bave made many discoveries and copied out the most dreadful in yentions of man. If permitted by you we can usc man's weapons on himself, with no casualties on our side. I seek permission.' Lion: "Imitation is no novelty, it is no grace or talent; it is sheer plagiarism. We are opposed to it. We want to strengthen our defence lines and not to take to offensive. Man is quite capable of taking offensive against himself." Crocodile: Comrade President, brothers, sisters and child. ren, I quite understand the all-round anxiety abont the defence side, but I have got some grave doubts and I should like them to be cleared. I know that even if animal defences can be etrengthened everywhere, there are frightful difficulties about the rivers, lakes and seas, as also all water reservoirs in mountains and plains. These places are quite accessible to man." President: I quite catch your point. Though I should not speak much at this stage but for the sake of clarification and imparting knowledge, it is necessary that I should say something in this matter. All abould remember that there are amongst us ani- U ·mals like Hare, Mouse, Dormouse and ny humble-self who can grind lhe mouniains into antiinong powder. We shall construct such safe places for you in the caves and provide you with waterbeds that eren the thoughts of man would not be able to penetrate there. But, above all, I hare to reveal a great secret to you all, and that is about that water-spring under the laps of a monntain which produces gasses, vapours and steams, the slight effect of which make Radar products and Atomic weapons useless and harmless; it is life-water.* All energy is sucked out of them as blood is sucked out of a pore by a leach. If we bring into operation and use the waters from that marvellous: miraculong spring just at this periods I mean, right now, it means then that we want to protect man from the ravages of Atomic warfare. e ought, on the contrary, dio as I propose: We should use only so much lifewater of that Spring as much will protect our new possessions and places of our living by creating the clouds of these vapours and gasses over them. I further emphasise that there would be no need for leaving the lakes, rivers, seas and other water abodes if we set fire to this water and bang gasseous clouds of this over them. This will save trouble to our water comrades of migration away from their domains.” Dog: " Where is that Spring?” Cat: I also desire the information." Lion: First of all you both take tie oath of leaving the company of man, then we shall tell every secret to you.' Dog: "But what about 31, Camel, Cow, Crow, Buffallo, Sheep, Goat, Ran, Sparrow etc.? What abont Horse and other odd animals who le. ilan and on man?" Lion: "There is a difference. These animals are in constant danger from man, and you are his dear pets. This is all the inatter. You understand perbaps.!" Cat: We are not in a position to leave nan just now. Tye cannot desert hi' al present. But remember, my good nephew, *Aab-i-Baqa. **In Indian literature cat is called the aunt of lion, 12 ·that just as I did not teach you the great secret of tree-climbing, I don't reveal anything to man by which he can benefit. I do not divulge my secrets to nian inspite of his crnclly prodding. I steal his,' Dog: "I am not in a position at present either to give up the company of man, as you know I have been already driven out of the woods by my younger brother, Mr. Wolf. Inspite of man's grilling me I have not taught him the inethod of gaining control on DIr. Wolf. Further, everyone of you knows that I possess the knowledge of hidden treasures in the earth and yet inspite of the constant company of and nearness to man I have not allowed him to gain possession on them, for the simple reason that more wealth in the hands of man will lead to the breeding of more Satanic inventions. Trust me, Sire!" President: We trust 110 body. Both of you, cat and yourself, have to leave the meeting Quil! If you give ont our secrets to man you know what will be the consequences. We want to have no prospective spies amidst us.'' Cat and Dog, ljoth together: "We shall nbes, but we want to convey that this Mr. Crow is also an employee of man. He is known as a Municipal worker. He goes on cleaning the entire cities; and even men are punished for killing him." Crow: "I, Yce, 0,1! I mean to say that I go and come only into the towns during the days for frod and carning, but I pass iny nights a way from human surroundings. I live on trec.tops, if you know it. But you two are his dear pets who live by him day and night. 9) 33 Cat and Dog: "Allow us to stay in the cities with man till the next War begins, we shall be serving our counrades from that distance also.' Dog: "As you are all aware, Sirs, the newspapers of the master daily fall into liy hands first. I read them thoroughly and collect all the valuable information. I shall be from now onwords despatching all useful news to our Committee through the medium of Mr. Crow or Pigeon. I can prove that I read the 13 ·newspapers tlails, and here is the proof: Mr. Lion, while giving out information about Radar expert, had omilled out that Dr. Darid F. Marten was the Radar expert who had sounded the warn. ing danger to British Isles during the coming War of Atóms. I know this, because I reas the newspapers minutely, with interest and very keenls. I remember all that is useful to ne. May I stay or go?" Cal:" And I too, should I slay or go away?? President: I am satisfied with the explanations. Stay with mrr till the war only. Has some one else to say anything in the matter?" diouse: “ May I stay too in the city till the war begins?" President: “ Yes, you should 3lso do, who toki yon not. We do not donbt your integrity; you as a matter of fact do lim more harm than good. "If none else has to speak I propose to close the session for the day. Let the resolutions or suggestions come up as no boily is stirring to speak. Brery body setus 10 le tired," the President remarked thus after perceiring that his engairy about the next speaker did not find layour any where. Lion:" I most hully beg to place this Omnibns Resolntion for deliberations before the Honse: 1. That this Conference ałopis maninjovely that the animals should gain full col over the waters of that Spring which contains such lifi - ter, ibich, when burnt, produces gasses, vapours, elbius and stams, antagonistic to all Radar energy-anti-el-ctronic and ail perradiug. 2. “Proposed and adopted that, a Cential Executive Committee be formed with Messrs. Elephant, Volf, Bat, Tortoises Crocodile, Fox, Hare, Ostrich, Monkey, Giraffe, Zebra and Bear. 3. Adopted that the Conferences be held annually on proper datci, and if possible before the year expires. Special Sessions be approved of. 14 ·4. "Adopted that the access to mankind should be denied in the Himalayan lowlands and the Arctic regions, which were the original habitat of our ancestors. Proposed that these places should be made Atom and H-Bombs-proof, and that the clouds of gasseous vapours of that miraculous Spring-water be spread over these valleys and lands. Access to man be barred in advance to some mountains, gorges and caves, so that he might not escape to those places when his race is under extinction by the Atoinic War, 5. Adopted that as soon as there is a question of. Atom or H-Boinb experiment we should spread aforesaid rapoury clouds over our regions in self-defence. We should make our living places and abodes proof against all human weapons. 6. Adopted thal we redistribnle the entire earth as soon as the human progeny finishey itself up after the Atomic war. 7. " Finally adopted that our system of governance should he run on democratic lines and principles, and we should show a little inore self-sacrifice and give up mcati' There was a bit of a stir on the last item. All the flesh eaters protested. Mr. Elephant roarcil and truunpeted. He said: “I propose an ainendment to item No. 2. propose that the names of Messrs. Lion, Kangaroo, Rhinocerous and Swan be added to the list of the Executive." T Lion:" I accept the anendment moved by my friend. As for the question of meat eating I request we defer the discussion to a later dale." Cow (shaking violently her horns:) “ No, it will be decided now and just here." Lion:“ Why are you so perturbed, Madame? When yon show solidarity amongst yourselves, aid and support one another and stand squarely together by your kind in time of adversity and danger I know to my bitter taste what lessons you teach us. I have not yet forgotten that particular day when I attacked a 15 ·herd of yours and you all formed a ring facing me, after putting the young calves and the shepherd inside the big ring. And after that, pointing your born-tips towards me, you remained in a charging position with your missiles upright. I say, you were very menacing at that time. Who can win against such a solidarity! I got tired and exhausted to my last nerve after four hours of tug-of-sar. This is wbat happened then. But then I once more assert and emphasise on behalf of all the flesh caters that we shall turn vegetarians and live a simply life." Applause. The entire Omnibus Resolution was passed unanimously without a single dissentient voice. The Conference adjourned. The President thanked all and all thanked the Chair. 16 ·SECOND DAY SESSION The second day's session of the Animal Conference began at the scheduled hour under the able Chairmanship of Miss Fox, Afr. Elephant got up, with his huge bulk and profile silhonting the sky-line. Quite majesticalls, with a noble gait, he walked to the soft side of the Chair, lifted his trunk, trampeled and addressed :- "Miss President, brothers and sisters, I golemnly beg to put before you my thoughts which have enanated from the best of motives for the cominon good and benefit of the animal work. "I propose that we should now prepare ourselves with caution and pride (smiling) ofcourae man has paucity of caution and lias got ample of empty pride. We shouli then put into action the resoluiion we hare passed yesterday. We should determine our prograinine according to the conduct which we have chalked out for ourselves in our deliberations. It is no ise getting hasly or going on dilating on old soddy values, and that is why I am suggesting some practical steps for future and for the future of our coming generations who will be more free and more prodigious in determining their course and their actions based on prud. ence and justice. We are, as a matter of fact, under the dread of this monster other-wise known as human being. This human will be no more in existence when our new generations come into life. May it happen so in immediate near future! To come to the point at issue and stake I have the honour to humlly put that we should now split up our bands into sections; you may call them councils, if you like. These sections or councils should call separate sectional conferences. Let there be divisions on the basis of earth, under-earth, water and ait. This will give opportunity to all the animals to meet and have free discussions on the Omnibus Resolution we have passed just yesterday in our session. There might arise new and beneficial questions in tliese conferences which might least to improve the decisions of our mammoth or monolithic conference. There are nonc, and I hope there can be no tiyo opinions on my suggestion. 17 ·"I hope erery body agrees with my tiny humble-sell. ( Laughter). "lly I request you, aIiss President, to take the consensus of opinion of the IIouse on the particular problem i Ny poor enge gestion might be acceptable to the delegates anıl representatives of those far flug domains who have not been 5 lucky as to get represented in vast nubere as we thc curth and unier-earth species have been." Voices from all sides: "Iccepted. We all agree on this sound proposal. Nobody is against it." President: “Brothers and sistere; io liouir seeing to be opposed to the suggestion of Mr. Elephant, I declare the suggestion accepted. I hare to asked only one word and that is cither we split ourselves into small committees or lo according to the original proposal, and thus mect in soprate or sectional conferences." Elephant : "I think the last remark of the President and her emphasis on these conferences seems to be very akin to man's provincial conferences. Although we do not cops him in any sphere but there is no harm in taking anything sensible and good if there be any in man, I want elucidation.' President:"Yes, Air. Elephant, I do mean this. They meet in provinces and meet in sections or councils, This is the only difference between man and ourselves. Te du not copy him, the set an example. We hold, as you har?;"0possland emphasised in your opening speech, water, air, eartisan i under-earth conferences, thus giving chance to all. It is desirable that before proceeding any further with the Animal Conference we sbonla gire chance to the categories or species for sending in their opinions for consideration before the next session. This is vital. Te are democratic, and democracy, as you are all aware, means delay; and in the delay there lie the good and sweet fruits of our joint labour, Hasty elections, basty decisions spoil the game. We do not want to hurry up. We follow India under the British Raj." Lion: 'You are absolutely to the point, Miss President. You are correct in my opinion. : In the alternative there is a possibility. 18 ·of grumbling on the part of far filling animals. Our democratic way forbids any flaws in our Constitution and dealinge. We have no cancuses or under-hand dealings of human diploinacy. No body will say now that the Conference was held in laste and that we were not fully represented, and that willy pilly we sent the hurriedly electeri delegates withont mandates or instructions. Instrnctione, in modern lines, are a vital cleinent in organisation, Vazis and Fascists failed because of lack of instructions olheir rank and file in the lines and to their divisions and battalions on the fronts. We avoid risks.' President: “[ fully agree and grasp the wise words container in the speeches of Mr. Elephant and your good-sell. I, therefore, adjourn the Conference 'sine die.' Cat and Dou: "Comrade President, before you disperse the Conference, please, let us lave 500e music, we incan to say a nice chorus." Humble suggestion of Miss Pussy and Mr. Dog having been accepted, all gang in a chorus: Lion's roar interıningling with the sweet melodies of Nightangle and Cuckoo. The Conference concluded and the delegates departed to their respective homes. 19 ·WATER - ANIMAL CONFERENCE According to the decisions of the Animal Conference, mentioned in the preceding pages, a Fish and Fowl Conference was convened at the Mouth of the Irrawaddy River in Burma. All kinds of fishes and water-fowls assembled there. Swan strutted a few steps inside the panorama, made by the circle of delegates in the river, flanked by high hills and dales. She said : " Brothers and sisters, I propose the name of Star-fish to the Chair. I hope there is no objection to this harmless proposal of mine.'' Salmon : "I support and second the proposal.” Star-fish : While thanking you boiu I propose the name of Mr. Crocodile, as it is a question of a very brainy job to preside. You all know that in Water-world none is so well known for wisdorn and renowned for tactfulness as my friend, Mr. Crocodile," Cuttle-fish : " While not fully challenging you in any way I beg to put this very humbly : The wisdom and prudence of my friend is a questionable problem. If the monkey episode was not before us we would have accepted-and guite readily the proposal of Miss Star fish,' + Duck : What exacly you mean by makey.episode, came? We have, of course, never heard of art!:56. ing." "Simple," said the saintly Saio.on ; A monkey was indiscreet enough to jump on the back of our friend when he was in the midstream. The monkey wanted to have a free ride to the other side of the rirer. And our friend Mr. Crocodile vas simple enough or say knave enough to this degree as to ask the monkey that he needed his liver for medicinal purposes. the clever monkey said : Tell my friend, why did not you tell ne there when I was on the tree ? I can never keep my liver with me. It is up on the tree, and it is just a paltry favour you are asking for. Please, take me back there and I shall fetch the And un ·. same for you from the tree.' And our wise friend took the monkey back to the tree, and the cunning taboon ten grinned and said spitefully : 'Simple folk you may be good enough to go your way. Thank you for the free ride you have given me.' And onr friend did nothing on this but shed tears to call the monkey back. But..." Cuttle-fish: " Beg your pardon. I beg to suggest the name of Mr. Shark for the Chair. I can gainsay that if cleverness is required none can excel lim in this art and trait. The entire scasurface is reverbrating with the marvellous ſeals of MI... Sharks. You all know it, I imagine. None is so blinil as not to see the truth. I think it is a sound proposal." Crocodile (though offended, yet to keep mp face) said : second the clear proposition, I mean, the idea is clear. And I withdraw my name." All fishes : "We all agree and request that the Conference should not be delayed now any more." Mr. Shark opened his big wide jaws, wagged sluggishly his heavy, cumbersome and massive tail and took up the job quite in right earnest. He addressed :-" While thanking you for the honour thus conferred on me, I bave to put that you have netted me in well, but then before public opinion I have to bow dowii in obedience. I entreat that the resolutions passed in the Animal Conference and the gist of the proceedings be promptly given to us by th se who participated there on our behalf. Miss Swan, please come, since you have taken a very prominent part in that Conference and are on the Executive, I understand." Miss Swan proceeded by the side of the President and opening her sweet looking beak chirped : she gave out full details of the Conference, and all heard her with rapt attention. All marvelled at the discovery of the fabulous, marvellingly miraculous spring, the life.water of which, when burnt, produced vapours and gasses which were mortally were mortally fatal to all human weapons of destruction--lethal and scientific. All discoveries of inen had paled dowu before this new animal ſind. 21 ·"How should I put it before you? What terrible knocks bare ve not taken with the German U Boats during the last war in the interests of the so called human Democracies of America and Great Britain. Ve fought against human slangers to sare human beings only on planetarian basis. I mean to say that they are also the inhabitants of the same Planet is onrselves. This prompted us, but what prompis him to murder us in scason and out of it? Man sees and feels that there are monsters in the seas; he is afraid of them, but do our seas contain greater monsters than these small fries of carth--the human beings. How small and how rers devilish is man! He has never used his radio or press in the praise of onr humbleselves eren if we have rendered him valuable services.? . "I crave your permission to narrate an episode of great sea calamity. A short while ago, whales of my caste committed". mass suicide. Before doing so they used to say: 'Man neither likes to live nor allows any other living being to live peacefulls. He is a death-dealing animal; he daily experiments with death.'. They used to emphasise this too much-and nothing is too much as a matter of face-on the great tragedy of Bikini. They had witnessed the death-pangs and the agonies of the fishes which died as a result of that great inhuman experiment. This, they reiterated to cover up their determination of commitling suicide. On any advice to the contrary their prompt reply used to come: - ‘Look, please, man experiments within nur spieres with poisonous gasses, atomic weapons, electronic and nor-electronic death-dealing elements, Life is uncertain in this boorii. Death is more painful through his agencies than the suicilia se contemplate. Then ths sufier?' “\Vith this painful resolve they approached the sea-shore Nen drove them back thinking they were going to invade his habitations. But, then, when there was none to perceive and interfere with the whales in their act, they again went back to the sea-shore, and the result was n ass suicide. You bare heard of it, my dear brothers and sisters! How painful is the story?" "What about the mass snake suicide in Ballia in U. P.?" 24 ·"Yes, the same painful story again." "Shame! Shame!" Was the cry from all directions of the audience, and the sea stirred with indignation at this. It rose and fell as if in commemoration of the valiant deant. Whale: “I have said more than was necessary and I want to waste no time any more, since there is a lot to be done. I bare no intention to give out or spin storice, although I know many ? ones-blood.curdling and full of anguisis. All these emanate from human tyrannies. I resume my scat, with pour permission, Comrade President." >> Black fel." They called me Black Eel and many hare nicknamed me Black Eelie. The occupation of my forefathers was Bwinming. And we do not give up swimming even after being netted and cast on the ground. We are hardy, 1 "Even after being thrown into the basket wc jump out nf it. We are restless, and by habit, imagining earth In be water, we try to swin, I mean to say that we writhe violently." So you are hard-hearted," interrupted Rahu slyly. "People call us $0," continued Black Tel, " Many people think that even after being cut into slices and cast into the frying pan we have got life. So often our pieces jump ont of the boiling nil of the canlila ron, they bolt off the hot frying pan.'' "So you continue swimming then too, is it?" coaxed cyni. cally the saintly Salmon, "Wrong, absolutely wrong. was the emphatic denial by the Black Eel, “Out from the water we writhe and throb in memory of water. We are alsolutely lifeless after being cut into slices. What people consider life in us, then, is, as a matter of fact, atomic energy in us which does not allow us to remain motionless. We contain more constituents of hydrogen and less of the atoms. You are aware perhaps that Hydrogen Bomb is screral thousand times more effective and dangero118 than the Atomic one. 011 How should I make you understan)," put in the Black Eel," that 25 ·we contain very much of hydrogen in 11s. Man lias no time and leisure from cating and cooking us that he should analyse us chemically in his Scientific Research Laboratories and draw in some wholesome results frou such a test. The question with him is inainly of stomach. Pomfret put it huinourously, “So the blackies have got more merits?" 1 * "By your head! May be iny colour is black, but I possess, surely, many more qualities than any one can boast of", cut in Black Eel dryiy, in wrath. She drew a long sad sigh and added, "If the striking power of hydrogen can be challenged by anything then it is the powder of my hones and the thin slender ribs of mine." I am not revealing anything here by which man can benefit or perchance draw useful conclusions, but on the contrary I am stressing on something else. “Thongh my home waters are in the Indian Ocean in which this IRRAWADY Mouth is also included and where our Conference is taking place, but in a particular season we go to the English waters also, say in June and July, in immense numbers. Why incidentally the reference to England' has propped up sou will say? The reason is simple: The inbabitants of those Isles are very much in fear of the gloomy prospects of the use of the Hydrogen and Atomic Bombs. "Science experts are also striking terror in the hearts of those people. The main cause of terror is alleged to be the intense desire and intention of the PENTAGON to transform the whole of the British Isles into an atomic base for their designs, and to persuade the entire population of Britain to shift to some country of the Commonwealth. “You might be remembering that on the 1st day of the Animal Conference we had references to the predicitions of an Aus. tralian Radar expert about Britain being unsafe during an Atomic War. Now, another expert is also reiterating the came theme. And owing to this a sort of panic is gripping.the British Isles. 26 ·My main purpose in referring to Britain is this that the Lion bad mentioned on the first day that the entire British Isle will be einpty soon and would fall into the hands of the animals. "According to iny information there is another danger facing Britain, And that is, the continent of ATLANTIS is going to reappear again and its vacuum in the Ocean is going to be filled up by the British Isles and its adjoining lands. This is the opinion of the famous and very eminent Science scholars. I, of course, şyınpathise with the people of those lands. I would have abided by all your decisions but have to emphasise that the British Isles now cannot be given over to any other animals. They will form the property of the water ani. nals. " There are two opinions: One is that as soon as the atomic warfare starts the sea will rise up to stupendous heightsand swallow up many lands. Or the roots' of British Isles have become so loose that they would not be able to bear the impounds of the atomic poundings, and thus those beautiful Isles wonld go under water. Those sites left by the disappearance of these Isles should be handed over to 115, the Black Eels. You will all, of course, say what special qualifications have we got to claim, and not the other water animals." "Yes, correct, we all ask you this question," cried the other fishes in chorlig. Shark (president), "Order! Order! Let the Black Eel continne. Proceed on please." “Yes, the elite, please listen to my folded hand supplications," put in the Black Eel with a suppressed smile. “The reason in simple words is this, Sir; In British Isles lies buried the wealtlı produced by the sweat and blood of the black and coloured peoples. The blood and sweat of the Indians and Africans has flowed in streams for the fattening of the imperialists and capitalists, of that land. Therefore, only the coloured and the dark peoples are the owners of that beantiful land which will this fall to our lot. We clain it rightfully and entirely." 27 ·Eel: My name is Eel. The Bombayities call me 'Bomal' by contempt. But this is besides the point. I have to say nothing here particularly personal. It is a matter of common concern which I have to broach: I go very deep into the fathom. less depths of the seas, and what things I lave seen there, excuse me, not many can do because of their bulk and because of their lack of retention of breath below a normal point. Their respiration does not allow them to go beyond a certain degree below. Please, excuse me, Mr. President, I mean no affront to you, but you have also not been so deep as that. What I saw there was splendid. I have seen lofty buildings in the bottom of the sea, big cities and what not. I was amazed-rather flabbergasted. "My ancestors used to say that just as the man of today is engaged in scientific experiments and discoreries, of Atom and H-Bombs and dangerous death-dealing weapons, so, in the words of PLATO, man was engaged in 'Satanic deeds.' He was bent upon in hunting out the secrets of making gold out of base metal. In the words of the Orientals themselves, he was busy with the search for Paras-pathhar," the touch of which was endomed with turning every metal into gold. Then there was another craze with which man was experimenting. It was the secret of walking on waters, on monstrous waves and rivers, on ponds and lakes. “He succeeded in certain inventions but the result was disastrous and it went against his expectations. You know then the result of frustration of one's dreams. It is said the sea-water boiled up and rose to stupendous mountainous heights of apprecedented account. It covered the whole of the Continent of ATLANTIS in its wares. It engulfed it the whole. Today that Continent is no more as a result of that stupid inhuman experi- * Paras Pathhar literally speaking means Persian stone. It is sup; posed to be a fabulous stone the slight touch of wbich turns base metal into gold. This craze is still rampant in some parts of the Orient backward people of the Indian and Persian villages still believe in the existence of this particular magical stone. Strange, but true, they shoe their goats with iron just like people do their horses. All this for the simple purpose to locate the magical Paras Pathhar. The modern education is eradicating the belief amongst the educated people about such & stupid thing but the rustio still peréist in their belief. The 28 ·ment. That Continent is under water now. This was the price of stupid human calculations. Was it not sad ? "I desire to refresh your memory that ATLANTIS was also in the Atlantic Ocean and the nations experimenting with Atom and H-Bombs are also inhabiting the Atlantic Coast-some East and some West." As soon as Miss Eel stopped speaking there was a tremendous applause, President : We liarc been all gratified with the valuable information which Miss Eel and some of the other speakers bare given before the House. We are not fully convereant, with the dangers of Alom or H-Bomb, unt it is not a matter in our control or within our reach to spread this secret so much as to make it useless, and nothing is useless to man. The more he learns the more does he use it against his own kith and kin. He is suffering from a sort of consumption or you may call it a pure sadism. This fever grows intense with multiplication of weapons. It is the War Tever. The more one has got the inore one is vociferous. Look at the once silent USA, today. Ilow she is making a miglity show of licr prowess and weapons. In my opinion if Atom or H-Bomly becomes an open secret then the peasants in the fields nver land division and water rights and the workers in factories, as also the clerke in offices, will hurt these bombs at one another and the employers and landlords will be simply snugly silling in their cosy villas enjoying the news over a cup or glass of cock-tail or cognac. Put I admit, opinions differ. If there are others who disagree with me they bare the floor to express themselves ireely. But let me emphasise that no other animals except birds, besides, are in constant danger because of these Atom and H-Bombe. Birds bave mastered one danger and that is the art of pushing down aeroplanes from the skies with the aid of some devices which will be a matter of coin mou knowledge soon, as I learnt this confidentially, Sardine: "I am inhabitant of Black Sea and I earnestly entreat that we steal the great secrets and give them away to the 29 ·Soviet Union to make it impossible for others to use this secret of Atom and II-Bomlis.' “Miss Sardine" replied the President You are not heard me in full, I think. I do say ami dil emphasise thint no good will be served by this generalisation of the Atom & 11- Bomb or any other secret in quite the same way as other secrets useil during the wars becoming general «lid not prevent war. Do you catch this? Miss Sariline, I am sure, I wish to assure you that your Soviet Union have got in their arxinal more deadly weapons than the Atom or HI-lumb, but then the Soviet Union liall not taken the initiative in the production of the langrrans, nuclear wca polis as WC underatand, and tunt is why none of we las spoken against her. I am now rercaling to you something strange and I can vouchsaic my claim that none knew it before me otherwise this secret would long have been neci). 1 menn to say that there are such ininerals in the ininng of sea mountains where eren liel has not been able to go or pienetrate, since these are the abodes of sea-pistions and sca-monsters. I can go there since it is a question of fighting for one's rights. The sea-pythons are represented here and so are the sca-monsters; these gentlemen are the only few now left orer to us by the all powerſtil cruel derouring erolutionary process of time. But none of these gentlenen knows what they possess in their sea cares. I stop here if any one would like to challenge my statement. there is not a single voice raised I continue and beg to say that these minerals are conducive to supplying us with those deadly vapours and gasses which are anti-H., anti-Atom Bomb and, anti any human weapon. . We can make the seas proof against torpedoes, human produced gasses, atomic and electronic weapons ; we can make the sea immune for all in all the ways. We can freeze the seas with the air of these minerals and chemicals. We have already experimenhed with these. If agreed, I propose that we shonld freeze oceans beyond a certain depth of, say, fifts or sixty feet. We can make the remaining depth below impossible for human craft to penetrate. If it is required we may freeze. them totally ; with of course some air fissures for our use here and there. Withal, there is one difficulty and that is to our ...As + 30 ·water fowls who live in waters, ily in the skies and roam about on lande, wherever they like. Their difficulties will be somewhat aggravated in that cage." Swan: "On behalf of water-fowls who can fly, I beg to submit that we shall in that case fly away to sanctuaries in the lowlands of Nepal where we have got full control and which we are going topake safe by the life-water of that miraculous, fabulous Spring in the downs of the Himalayas. But if we consent to decide to the contrary in the natier, i.e., if you decide to freeze below some points then we can of course lise safely in the oceans and seas. There will then be no necessity, at all, for us to quit waters." Voices; "If the last procedure i.e., freezing below sixty feet is adopted it will be acceptable and agrecable to all of us, we presume." At this there was a bumorous remark by the pearl-fish: "After all now I will be troubled no more by the greeds man for pearle." Sea-Lizard: "Please, don't interrupt, serious talk is going on.' Swan: "If this latter proposal is agreed upon, then birds of my clan needs leave seas no more. This much depth is acceptable to all: Is it agreed then?" Salmon: "Honourable Swan... ..." She was interrupted by the Sea-lizard who retorted: "No Honourable Sir, please, address as Jlister or even Comrade. We are not afraid of the latter prefix as we are not American Capitalists." Salmon: "Please be serious, I accept your objection to this obnoxious prefix of Honourable Sir." Laughter. "To resume: I may say that fifty to sixty feet of depth yon want to leave perbaps for man for fishing purposes or for his cruising expeditions. If you know the sea then you know that this mnch space is sufficient for human ships to commit all the felonies. This is not acceptable to me and to others of my kind." Sardine, Herring, Eel and others: "Yes here is a point. We join Miss Salinon in this protest." 31 ·Stan: "Is it the opinion of the House that we shonld deny all access to pan in the seas and oceans as also rivers and lakes and create all-round Dead Seas?" Some voices: "Sure. We want this and that is but fair.' President: “If this is the general opinion of the House, then, please, inove it in a resolution forin." Salmon: "I move it like this: "Adopted that this Conference of Fowls and Fishes unani. mously passes that we make the oceans and all waters safe by the use of the minerals and chemicals, raponra and gasses, and freeze thein so that no human beings ever touch these places hereafter. Te further leave big ponds in the middle of the oceans and seas, lakes and rivers where sea-fowls can live in safety and fishes breathe when they desire. "Adopted further that only the upper layer of the waters be frozen in such an unbreakable way that no human efforts can remove this crust and master the 'Blockade.' "This, Comrade President, will safeguard the sea-fowls as well as allow ns to take air-breath whenever we like as we can also create innumerable fissures for use. I think the position is clear and simplified." President: "Before taking votes I want the resolution seconded and supported." Sardine & Herring: "We are supporting it. I mean to say (Sardine emphasised) in the constitutional language, we second the resolution." Eel: "With your permissis.n, please, President, I want to put the resolution in an amended and more cognisable form: I put it like this: "'This Conference adopts unanimously that all waters of seas, oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes and springs be made safe by the vapours and steams of those minerals and chemicals which are embedded in the bottom of seas, and that we stop hereafter all access to man in or on waters."

·Miss Salmon: "I accept the amendment if the niover accepts my remarks with which I have concluded iny resolntion. Those remarks while incorporating all the data simplify the position of the fowls (of our seas." Eel; "There is nothing controversial as to that. I accept and support erery word of my friend and all her premises and also those of the seconders, their intentions and wishes too. Please, have no rieunderstanding." The President cast a glance all round and saw all trunks of fishes and necks of fowls moving in un son in assent-sopporting the resolution as if. He declared the resolution passed after his surveying glance in all directions. The President added: "I find quite an overlielming majority for the resolution and I am glad to declare it passed. "I now regnest Miss Swan to convey our resolution to the next Animal Conference session for ratification...... I close the session with thanks to you all for the kindly co-operation." Crocodile: "With your permission, Comrade President, I m.ve a vote of thanks to the Chair for efficiently conducting the deliberations. Every one: "Accepted. We all congratulate the Chair and thank." 32 The meeting was over, the Conference thins concluded. The President announced the closure and all the delegates from far off regions went back to their respective homes. All were pleased with the results and departed singing in chorus. 33 ·BIRD CONFERENCE The decisions of the Animal Conference held at the foot of the Hinalayas, in the lowlands of Nepal, by the side of a big lake, were seriously taken up by all the animals of the earth and air. We have just described the Fowl & Fish Conference, or better terméd as Water-Animal Conference. The birds selected a most congenial site for the occasion and in grand Moghnl style and fashion selected what was hest in En. rope nf the bourgeois world for holding their auspicious deliberations. By the banks of Neu Chattel Lake, in the lovely valley of Switzerland, all the birds assembled; we mean the cream of the bird-world flocked there. It way quite a representative gathering: There came Patridge, Wax-\Ving, Quail, Chakore, Crow, Kite, Vulture, Goose, Owl, Nightangle, Swallow, Nagpie, Parrot and a lot of other varieties of the air animals. The resolutions passed in the first Conference came up for scrutiny and discussions. New proposals sprang up; were thrashed and passed. Swan), who was the most prominent of the delegates, having been present in the previous two Conference, played the most conspicuous part. Swan looked around the sea of audience, opened her soft beautiful beak in a yawning posture and addressed in these words:- Fellow delegates, brcchers and sisters, the bearers of message from far and wide, I greet you in the name of our first Con... ference and greet you on behalf of the water animal world. I suggest that we should move constitutionally and elect a President for the august occasion, please snggest. This is necessary for our success.' Crow: ." I hombly suggest the name of Chakore. As you know that her knowledge about skies is vast. In quest of Noon, to reach that beautiful luminous island in the space, Chakore gces up higher than any one else. This is a matter of common knowledge that our friend is regarded in the human world as the lorer of Moon." 1 34 ·Pigeon: " I' support the proposal, I mean to say that I second it whole-heartedly. I gladly testify to what Mr. Crow bas said abont.onr friend's guest and love about the lloon.' Vullnre:" I think none has gone higher up in the ethereal heights than Mr. Pigeon. I suggest the name of Mr. Pigeon 10 the Chair." Falcon: "I second the proposal, since I know to niy bitter taste how cleverly has the gentleman tired me in the ethereal depths. I recognise the supremacy of dr. Pigeon on the ther." Kite:"Brothers and sisters, if we want to make our Conference a full-fledged enccess then we should wait a bit till the night.birds like Ow), Bat, Swallow etc., come and take part in it. It will be better to wait a bit more." Goose: “ The "The question of clay and night does not arise. It wonld have arisen if the Conference were not taking place near the very mouth of the cave where there is ample, dark and where live Mr. Owi and bis ilk. I think they must all be on their way.” At this moment there came the sound of hooting, of hilarions exultant sounds, mass langhter; and all the eyes were turned towards that direction. They saw the Owl leading the Swallow and a host of other .birds in a procession ont of the dark cave. Coming near and setting down, Mr. Owl pulled up his rubber-like neck, jerked it and vowing cynically again lifted back, conveying the sense of salutations. 73 After greeting the Conference, Mr. Owl said:- "Gemlemen and Comrades, we were just thinking whether the unworthies like us would be remembered by you, as the notice was not clear about the attendance of this anspicious meeting, Yet, then, after all we have taken this audacious step and liere we are." Patridge: Good that you liave lieen rood enough to take this sagacious step. The notice was clear but still we thank you for your coming and giving us the pleasure of your kind company." 35 ·Swallow: " The English saring is complete that none is wiser than Owl. He is a bird of wisdom, this Owl, I propose the name of Mr. Owl to the Chair. I hope my suggestion will find response." Bat: Sure, sure! Althongh I am taken for a mam mal by man yet I have more rights in bird world. I, therefore, second the proposal of our frien, Viss Swallow." Owl, raising his spring-like neck, twinkling his round pyes and waving his beard a bit, surrered the andience and remarked:- "Oon Hoon, No, no, this prerilege goes to the Chalore*, 50 that we may be able to hear of the in ysteries of the skies, and those too in an authentic manner." מון 35 Some voices: Why delay, please, let us take this suggestion of Mr. Owl in right earnest and elect Miss Chakore to guide us in the Conference," Kite: "Miss President, while congratulating son on your being unanimnonsly elected I reqnest you to be good enough to give us your observations of the fibereal heights and mysteries of the universe where none else can reach.' President: I thank comrade delegates for the honour thes have conferred on niy humbleuelf. I hare to speak too much on human revenge, Aton Bru!), H-Bomb and man's designs. How ever, I shall have the last say and, therefore, I throw the Conference open to the delegates to express their opinions." Falcon, unfolding bis massive wings : Comrade President and all the delegates, I beg to forcefully put ibat buman being by himself is the reservoir of stom Bomb. Whatever is stuffed in his skull is all Satanic niischief. His skull is the treasnre of destruction. He destroys himself and everything which is around him. I mean, his brain is what you might call a switchboard of desolation and destruction. What else should I say more ! There is a widely accepted.legend that Red-legged Patridge, better known by its name as "CHAKORË' in Indo-Pak language is a lorer of Moon and it goes mad in moonlights and flies higher and higher in the skies till exhausted drops dead, ·1. Vulture : "Sorry, I differ. Sorry, I differ. I have opened every cell of his skull and brain and I have not coine across that treasure, that miserable reservoir." Owl (riiiculing and putting a bit of humonr in his remarks): Yon gentleman open his skull and examine his brain only for the sake of taste or stomach filling, but I have peeped deeper into the real condition of his brain. It is worth mentioning. Please listen attentively. The only difference between man and myself is, so far as depradations is concerned, that he works 24 honi's on it while I concentrate only in the night. In the mission of resolation we are one, the only question is of putting in less labour and more time. I pass iny day in thinking and night in working. But man has no time for thinking, he works on pre-planned theories which all guide him in destruction. This is the difference, you see, Gentlemen au Madams." Kite: “Youunean to say that what caprices of man you gee during your night cluties' you use in competing with bini, and plan according to your observations and experiences. 73 Owl: Sister, I have so much more to say." Vulture interrupted Mr. Owl and said : Mr. Owl should address the Chair instead of Miss Kite, bis sister.” Owl: “I beg your pardon and thank Mr. Vulture for the sound as vice he has given to me. I want to re-state that so far as the mission of destruction, depradations and ruins is concerned I yield palm to none. I am several steps ahead of inan in this race. But there is one question which always troubles me whenever I begin my work. I am remindel of my fellow animals whose life and death is dependent on man's life and death.* When I think of them and their plight, if man disap- * In the Eastern concept Owl is taken as the emblem of destruction He is considered ominous and whon pooplo hear thio hooting thoy conclude that sorne calumity is overtaking some ono impidst them. With things changing now there is less regard paid to this superstition. Nevertheless tlıe superstition is very strong that nothing can convincco Porsion or Indian against this belief that Owl represents depredations. ** Vulture fecds on dead, 37 ·pears, I shudder at the idea of further rarages. To elaborate my point: It is like this: * The life of crows and other animals like dogs and cais etc., depends on man's existence and the life of vulture depends on his death. That is my point." Kite : Can Conirade Owl cite any solid, candid example to illustrate his assertion and claim, fully, that he excels inan in destruction ?" Vulture : "That a question ? Are people so simple as that? What is Miss Kite showing, sheer simplicily and ignorance? Who does not know the destructive propensities of Mr. Owl ?" President: "Order: Order! Let Mr. Owl yo on with his rarages." Owl: "Miss President, with your premission I want to quote a few couplets from man made verses,” while expressing this Mr. Owl raised his springy neck a bit aloſt, gave a circalar motion and glance to his ronnd ere balls, loosely placed in his sockets, and looked with sneer and pride at Miss Kite. The gesture was no apparent and slighting that all marked it clearly and there was an outburst and a loni peal of laughter from all sides. President: "Yes yos, are allor iil, Mr. Owl. But please, be brief." Owl : "Gentlemen and comraies, la m narrating to you an event of the third or fourth quar:er of 1921. It was at this time that a Teheran newspaper "KHALQ” (PEOPLE) gave prominence to a poem in its weekly issue on the first page, with iny picture percher! on a twig the following was written underneath :- Aye Zard Chashm-o-Goonde Sar (0, yellow eyed and thick burly headed) Kotab Dum Amboh Par, (Short tailed and massive winged ). Veeranai Ta Kbuahi Agar, (If thou desirest ruins), 38 ·Az Khak-i-Teheran Dar Guzar ; Get out of the soil of Teheran ); Par Bar Sar-i-Alburz, cheerl, (Spread thy wings on the peaks of Elburz mountains) Iran Nigar Veeran Ba Leen." (See Iran and find desolate )." TE very one began to applaud. Every one was praising aloud: " What a beautiful recital !" President: "I think the verse must le very long one. So much is quite sufficient for the purpose. It goes to prore your excellence over man in the art of destruction as the verse comes out of man's own defealist gesture. It proves your claim that you excel inan in the inission of desolation." Owl: Yes it is a long one, Comrade President, yet if you permit I nay just quote the last stanza to make the first portion understandable. President : Please go 011, be quick the audience is getting restive." Owl:"It runs like this: Sadha Yateem-o-La Makan ( Hundreds of orphans and homeless ) Aanan Ke And Be Khaniman, (Those who have no liomes of their own), Dar Kunj Har Veeran Dookan ; (In the corners of every desolate shop); Beeni ham Agosh-i-Sagan. (You will find them by the side of dogs). wan-ast Choonan. Ienast Chuneen, (That is like that, this is like this Iran Nigar Veeran Ba Been. (See Iran and find desolate) The purport of the latest stanza cannot be clear withi. out these few couplets :- Yak mumleket Veeran Sbudeh, (A kingdom has been devastated) Bat : 39 ·Teheran ladan Sirudish, ( Telieran has become prosperous) Yali Vilat.i.Criran Shudich, (One nation bins become palau) Yak Chand Tan Aayan Shrial, (i small number of proplo bare become rici ali nable); Az Dasi Ranji lan-0.1(1). (Bs the priorous mi cíthis ant) Tran Vigar Vecran Ba leen. (See Iran am lini viesolata) Owl: “Yo, Comradio President, the purport is still luliions. Ti vill hocome boring if I say anything more, 171 late to clear a mis-siatenient. lig last stann points to the ou$ tshich I bes to say begins inus: Tak Shah dan il Saklite, (Sbau lias constructei a palace), 2ud onus vitii : Aan Parl: Tanla Ra Toleon (Do not look at th: park alone) ìran Nigar Terrano Ieen. (See Iran anni finil dcsolate ). and so on and so forth. Nightangie : Comrade President, perinps yon know that I also know music and am conversant with many a songs. this is no time for that. Singing and verse-building is a task for the lazy, I beg your pardun, of all these vil have got ample leisure. There are mans here in the andience who excel in these propensities. Let us come to things of better use. to earth and suggest sometbing relevant. This is my suggestion.' Oml: "Miss President, I have got to say this much in selfdefence and to sindicate my position that man always throws onns of his misdeeds on others, Though I can bring about greater derastation and ruin ihan the Atom or H-Bomb and But 40 ·other destructive devices but I shudder at the very idea of depriving so many of the anirnals of llicir means of livelihood-at least to some. I feel for the Crow, Kite, Vulture, Dog, Cat and Mouse. Their life and death, as I have asserted before, are dependent on the life and deach of man. You see my point, please, I am always brief, that is my second nature." Magpie : " Please, Comrade President, excuse me for the presumption but nothing is hidden froin die and from Mr. Parrot about the workings of wan. ihe only question is that Mr. Parrot forgets everything and, as for my humble-self, I kare to remember everything and I live on me!nory, as a matter of facti'. President: “This is not a question of living on inemory. The question here is alsout Atoru and H-Bombs and defence against that scourge." Parrot, fluttering his wings 29 opening his obliqne beals: "Mian Mithhoo, Speak oni, luna, Polly ,..............., My dear. H-E Atoin Bomb! Oh that stuli! It is all the idica embesided and contained in the dust and refuse of iny cage...... nd as for Vr. Owl, who does not know that he is acknowledged the Nightangle of thousand tales," sweet tongued and melodious in expression beyond description or mention; who can compete with him in that fine art?" Cock: “Kookroon Koon! "What might I say, how I describe! "From the time my wings have become useless I have been thrown at the mercy of man. I see everything that he does living as I do in his company. Man is busy, day and night, in the production of weapons of destruction of wreck and ruin. He daily inyents something or other in this direction. Please, cast a glance at these papers which I had concealed in my roost," opening up the papers, Mr. Cock continued:-- "One USA gentleinan-at-large by the name of Mr. Malgan has a flight of imagination. He has reached the skies and openspaces in his mental flights. He has laid claim to all the open .Bulbul hazar dastan in Persian. 41 ·spaces in the Universe not occupiel by stars. Helias named this ethereal Sphere as 'CHLESTIA,' lle claims to be the gole inheritor and proprietor of this Sphere. He lias 15serter tjat from now on man will live in space and his sad won's any longer he buried but treated with some phospliorescent substances, making them shine as stars and leavenly boxits. They will be inminous projectiles ever-hanging in the sky." Jagle: "I did something more in this information. Van bias, in his crooked nature, invented infalió for meltin or smelting the stars, because these sul mercors and stars would obstruct the human space-ships in thrir flight from planet to planet) and, thus, he is convenientis cioing zwar with them. Thus is die ruining the Universe, luat, let us be aicit !" Nighlangle: "Oh Gori! What is that smelting business! Van is doing much more than this, but what are we doing to his delivery?" Ow): "In the embodiment of eril! Whatever baci is there in the universe it is all is me because I impart knowledge, and knowled oring to juu. "Si: , Tanj a denizen of Elburz Nountains in Iran. I have just recently observed sone thing there which knowledge will be astounding to you. Please listen: "Every fourth day in 'Teheran crers house goes without electric light. Or in other words I should put that l'eleran is tindergoing an electric rationis period. A good portion of the town is thus thr^i2.. into darkness log turns every fourth day or 50. The public has i,- given tonderstand that there is something wrong with the Electric Plant, but the machines have become rosty and old and that they require repairs. But this is a lie. The inatler is like this: I hare seen some linglislımen and Americans engaved in underground constructions under the mountains, a little away from the Sbimran-Teheran Road. They are experimenting with atomic producties. All the electricity thus cut off from the city supply is consumed there. This is the main gecret; as many rolig of electricity as required for the purpose are cut out from public $ 42 ·80. supply and consnued there. A good portion of the town is thus cast into darkness. This is going on for the last three nonths or That lustrous gay Teheran by seeing which my eyes dazzled and pained, is today a desolote place in many points during the nights; anii what is true of Teheran is true of many places in the East and West." Hawk: “O! I grasp it now. I have seen some men working there during the day time. They are engaged in digging and in some constructions in those Shimran lowlands. The workinen look like arıymen. May be civilians and workers are not trusted in these matters. Comrade Owl is quite correct anoul electricity. I have also seen electric poles in the jungle soddenly disappearing down in the depths. It is clear now where they have gone to. The electricity has gone under-ground that it mar (ced undergronnd Laboratories and Works. That is the only and honest conclusion. What else can be the subgestions ? President, getting wroih: "I do not quite understand the mentality of our people. I do find a dearth of wisdom and intellect in the birds, which faculties are astoundingly much inferior to those of the other animals on carth or in other spheres. I want to make it clear that we are not concerned with anything clße than the main remedy. We are not linngering for infor. mation. What we want is the defence 3 against the oncoming onslaught of the Atom and H-Bombe. This atomic war will spare 118 neither on earth nor in the air, and much less in the waters. I lenow that some of us have knocked down thousands of aeroplanes on earth by the aid of our sundry powders which we had sprayed on the clouds. Man has not been able to diagnose the real causes of these air accidents. He finds faults with his machines and often is heard saying that clondo hare become Radioactive. This is our revenge, and he is not awarc of it yet. We have absolutely and wholly blurred his vision, wisdoin and intellect, of which he had already a pancity. “You know perhaps that in the valleys of the Hindo-Kush Mountains in Afghanistan there is a kind of herbal plant which inan calls, by contempt, "SHAKH-I-IBLIS (Satan's Branch). Ho 43 ·has forgotten its inerits and qualities, since man, when he despises and hates something, then he does not bother about the merits or demerits of that particular object. When he blindly boycotts a thing, he forgets and ignores its use-value. The Satan's Branch is a strange devilry. This plant produces a sort of gum which when it enters the beaks of my category, automatically, becomes & dry. powder. We carry it to the skies and puff it off on the clouds to see the aeroplanes falling and crashing. What results our pranks, produce, human intellect is unable to analyse. This is our weapon.' Kite: "I am also aware of the Satan's Branch, since the gum produces exactly the same phenomenon in our beaks in the beaks of birds of my clan." Crow: "Miss President, please, do not forget that I conveyed to you the discovery of this secret plant, as also, of course, I conveyed the same inforination to auntie Kite. By your permission I want to reveal another secret to the audience. And that is the secret of water-gum, which goes in the Eastern countries by the name of 'REESE-I-BUZ' (Goat's Beard). This, is a kind of yummy substance hanging on the sides of pikes or poles by the sea-side. Man does not care for it nor analyses it chemically; but this is a very useful thing for us. If dried through our own process and mixed with the Satan's Branch gum-powder and sprinkled on clouds, then its striking velocity is ten tiines greater than that of Atom Bomb). Please, store up this information also." President: "Thank you Nr. Crow, I do not deny that you have imparted to me another great valuable information and secret about." SA AKH-I-A AH00" (Deer's Branch).” (Laugliter among the audience on this.).“I want to load you with another brave task on behalf of the Conference and that is, please, findi out the -sites where this Satan's Branch is available: To my knowledge we know only. this. inuch that it is fonnd in the valleys of Hindu-kush. Please, oblige us by finding it out.-i Te shall all thank you." ::.. 9. In poetical language lovers build their abodes on deer's horns. 44 ·Cros: (Opening up his sharp bicak in slee): "That a nice and lovely thing you have uttered. ng marane! No neer of thanking me. I beg to add further that I am aware of the other gnalities or merits of this plant. If its twigs and uriniches are carried aloft in the skies they drop 19t of our leak: 3ntomatically after reaching a certain height and lang loosely in the space and are illumined. They are deadly veapong. Thriv illamine the clouds, and the clouds become so dangerously action that siny metallic object coming in impact with them an-les down. Our pigeons with man's ornaments on their feet lonrow this to their bitter taste. Every airman knows it that none survives niter coming in contact with these glistening missiles and clouds. "I can tell it with authenticity that Satan's Brancis is available in the valleys of Caucasus Mominins, in Noriti l'est Switzerland, in the beds of Niagra River before the falls and in the jungles and descris of Africa everywhere. "As for the juicy gun of the seas, it is found atrywhere by the sea-side, on old buildings, pikos or bridge props. You inay go to Karachi, for instance, or in Naples, l.cuingrad or Sevastopol Istambol, or to Bakı, everywhere you will final this gum in plenty. Remember, it is "REESH-I-BUY (Goat's Bread)." Swallow: "Please, President, 1 move closure. 1 request that you kindly invite resolutions now." Vulture: "I second the closure and beg to add that I shall try my level best in Ginding out the lunai and other secrets in inture." President: “I request Mr. Heron to come up with the resolution. Let every one be kindly attentive." Ostrich: “President, please, excuse me, the resolutions were to be moved-and there is only one--by Mis: Swan." President: “All right, Miss Swan, please, move the resol11- tion. Let every one be kindly attentive." Swan: "Comrades, brother-delegates, sisters and Mr. President, we have got only one reuolution and that rwis like this: 45 ·"That this Conference unanimously allops that Satan's Branch and Goat's Dearui li preserver under our Committee's strict control and that the relegates dertake to collrct all the broken branches on twigs of this planí, as also its leares, any hoard them at a very safe place where man can hardly get and access. The place should be inaccessible to him. "Adoptei further that these oms, lirinches and leaves lie considered as our secret weapons, and for that all secrecy is to be sworn in liy all." All: "Agreed, forundred percent. Pi13s, pass! We allacc.pt it. Presivient: “While thanking all lcfort closing the proceedings I want to add something more and that is according to a recipe if we wash the branches ni Satan's Branch plant with the waters of that mysterious Spring by the lowlanıls of Sepal in the Downs of the Himalayas--I refer to the lst January Animal Conference Omnibus Resolution-ind then we take the branches high up in the Ether anal set fire to them they would then prodace smoke which will enrelope the skies, and that smoke will be anti-Radar, anti-gas, anti-rocket and anti-diom and H- Bombs. I warn the birds to be aware then experiments with this process of ours are undertaken. I specifically ask the pigeons to be careful enough to cast i human ornaments-those fetters which he puts on every-thing inrels. "Xoreover I want to reveal another secret to the delegates: This smoke, about which I have inst referred tn, we often experiment to awe man. We spread the vaporous clouds of these recipes high up in the Eiher very near the sal, 29. man thinks so. As a matter of fact these are thousands of miles away from the These vapours borer round the Sou in such a manner that man thinks they are a part of tbe Sun. He calls then Snn-spots. What a decent name! These Sun-spois determine human life. He is awed bs their appearance, and we spread these rapours simply to make fan at man's cost. There is nothing mystical in these spots and yet man is awfully nortally afraid of them. But this is one of our artifices and devices. 10. 46 ·"I close the Conference with these remarks and go quinst the delegates to the Animal Conference in curvey froretings in the next session of the Aniinal Conference and entrust or resolution to the Central Committee for considerislion) and airina." 47 ·APPENDIX I. THE LAST CONFERENCE It is said that when the regional or sectional Conferences concluded, all the resolutions passed in them came mp before the Central Committee of the Animal Conference. The Conference again met in the same lowlands of the Himalayas by the side of the sains lake and adopted all of them with slight amendments to the better. Greetings from far and near came and were reciprocated by the audience. The first day's Conference went into a secret session, the proceedings of which are not set known. May be they were pertaining to the future course the animals were going to adopt about rendering human weapons useless. 42 ·MANGUINS ADOPT A CONSTITUTION In the second day's gesuiori the Conference adoptou a Constitution for the "ANGUIN REPUBLICS" and there was Irft no rooin for Reforms, since the idea was deeply rooted that any time any philosopler might spring mp among the animals an: suggest some Reforms about the recreation and rehabilitalion of man, and this might once more become fatal in the long run. Hence a Constitution), splitiing the entire carth into regional Republics wag unanimously adopted, with an addendu that any one suggesting any Reforms in the Constitution will lo buried alipe. A vigilance corps under the leadership of Crow, Dog and Cat was forined to report all the propaganda conducted by the foreign embassies and governments against one another. 21 reports spoke very highly of the American clicacy in the sphero of propaganda, their impressing upon the people of every country about their inastery over all the weapons of flestruction and over all financial pools and reserves. :49 ·THE CONFERENCE ENDS The Conferece entered its last phase after the cumbersome vork of reading and passing the Constitution. All pressed for closure. Before the closure the President permitted the Central Committee lo move their resolution. The Central Corninittee of the animal Conference then mored their resolution thanking profosoly the Usi and Great Britain (once an Empire and now a colony of USA) and putting all reliance on America ja help them in finishing up the human progeny. Thie Conference then end. The Animal Conference ends. 50 Wyn ·JUNGLE CONFERENCE

·DEDICATED
TO
THE MEMORY OF THE MARTYRS:
OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI,
IN THE YEAR OF GRACE, ONE
THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED
AND FORTY FIVE,

·FOREWORD L Appreciating with thanks and gratitude the success of the first "ANIMAL CONFERENCE"-the first serial of which appeared in the January of 1949 in newspapersmand also complying with the incessent pressure of my friends, I am again picking up my pen to write the second Conference, which I propose to call the "Jungle Conference'. I am grateful to the press of the world generally and the press of India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Burma particularly for the encouraging reviews they gave on the first piece. I also thank those eminent personages of the world, both East and West, who have been good enough to write to me, personally, appreci. ating my humble service to the peace loving humanity. 15/11/1953.

·INTRODUCTION This book is a conglommeration of thoughts jumbled into words, and too few words to express the inner feelings of the writer. The animals, if they could express their thoughts and ideas into words, it is just possible this is the language-orrather stilla harsher language-they would have used in one sentence: this is a satire and allegory of the most simple type. It has neither come out of cynicism at human society nor in defence of the animal world and kingdom. It is, in pure and simple terms, a cry in the wilderness for the protection of human species and the living beings which has been threatened by the capitalist world that emphatically says: "If we have to go, we shall bang", the door behind us with such force that it will shake the entire human edifice to its very foundation." The present piece comes out exactly after more than five years of the first satire. The "ANIMAL CONFERENCE" faired well at the hands of the world press inspite of its bad get-up in both its editions with poor printing to mar its value. Now to come to this present book. This volume is neither a treatise on 'Push.button warfare nor has it anything to do with some kind of scientific research. It is no chesis on physics or chemistry. Not being a student of science I have not dabbled in any scientific research or theories. I galloped with ideas as fast as they came and I crave the indulgence of science students if they find me intruding into their sphere, To tell you briefly and concisely, this is a piece of protest against the vagar. ies of the capitalist ruling class which has, in order to survive against the rapid tide of evolution, adopted means to blot out the entire human progeny from the earth if it refuses to be governed docilely and meekly according to the capitalist whims, and nuclear weapons. The PENTAGON folks ought to have concepts and dictates. It is a protest against initiators of atomic realised after the two horrible experiments on the non-combatant populace of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan-that this crude weapon is an eradicator of human and all animal life in the cruelest possible form. And instead of stock-piling this horrible weapon they ought to have seriously recommended to their patrons the total extinction of this monster. such a hopeful sign is in sight, tions of the capitalist system are continuing, multiplying and On the contrary the contradicthreatening to lead the entire human edifice to wreck and ruin. 21/12/1953. But nothing of ·JUNGLE CONFERENCE" Under the lap of the lowering Hindn Kush, by the side of the turbulent Panjsheer River, in the vicinity of a deep ravine, the Second Congress of the animals congregated. The delegates of the entire animal world participated. The lion majestically tools a few strides forward, and raising bis gracefulneck, roared : Brothers and sisters, what terrific inconveniences hate we suffered, what colossal hardshipa hare we gone through for reaching this place. We found it in possible to enter the Khyber Pass, all approaches to it were barred-it is much more heavily guarded now than ever before-and the incessent firing by cannons, machine guns and rifles is ever in practice. Hence, we had to take the tedious arduous roules of the montains all round. From Sinnla to Kashmir and from Quetla to Bolan Pass we explored all ways and reached here. We are here today again to consider our future course for protection against the rarages of man”. "Let us waste no time but begin our task in right earnest, First of all we have to thank our friend of the Afghan mountains, Mr. Dragon, who has dexterously swept the hedges and made the site clean and worth our congress session. He has taken special troubles in gathering the Afghan (ry fruits, melons and what not. After all the Afghan hospitality is noted throughout the whole of the East. Now, in his capacity as the chairman of the Reception Committee, he will, I hope, enlighten us with his valnable experiences". Elephant, "In my humble opinion we should elect a president first". Fox, "I second the proposal". Owl,“ The first conference was successful owing to the capable handling by Miss Fox. Let us again elect her for this onerous task". l'ox, “ No, please no. I was all the while apprehensive that this burden might fall on my shoulders again. My fears seem to 55 ·be coming true. . In my humble opinion somebody from the night animals should preside; and I propose the name of Miss Swallow, because their armies have often destroyed hunan armies with mere pebbles and grarels thrown from the celestial heights, Refer to the "Tales of the Prophets". Remember, the next will be a RADAR WAR, a war of missiles". Bear, with a short circuitons dance, "I agree fully of course", Cat, "Neon, meon, meon)... I wish to preside", On all sides the noise of Swallow, Swallow, elect Miss Swallow, was so great that the 'ineon, moon' of mies Pussy was drowned. The president had just sel her foot on the dried leaves and branches lying on the presidential stone-sublime and stately-she had not yet uniolded her wings eren, that out from the care yonder, appeared a shaggy, long haired, Dear-like ferocions man. He came straight to the Conference site, bowed low, and kissing the ground thrice saluted all, All were puzzled at this intrusion. Before any body could utter any thing the wild man commenced : "Brethren of the jungle, of desert, mountain and plain, I pleaì as a guilts man an: entreat you earnestly to allow me to participate in your deliterations. I am also an oppressed being like you. I am also a rictim of human tyranny. They call me sarage, and the civilised world does not admit me. They don't allow me to live either. Thus I seek shelter in mountains and caves. Lion and bear will bear me out that I am being hunted like wild animals in Australia, Africa and Americas. You all know this, perhaps”. Lion, “ Yes, correct, and yet, inspite of all this, there is no place for you in our company. No son of Cain can be admitted into our midst. You cannot become an animal although you have got long hairs, a terror striking face; your nails are sbarp and long, yet inspite of all this you have got the power of imagination, and that power of imagination will not allow jou to become. animal. You are not a tool-making animal-ve wonld have to- 56 ·lerated so muchi-you are a thinking animal. And this is solicient to bar yon from any participation in our deliberations'. Snake, “Ife must be punished for intrusion. How dare he come and disturb our conference ?" Monkey, "Oh, sure! Ho nust be punished. I am ever ready for this onerous duty. To punish the innocent I have learnt from man, and as you know, I imitate man in all respecis", "Yes we all know this, you share with big razor and cut your own throal," smiled the l'ox. Bear, "Please just scrutinisc, he might not be one of my species", Nightangle, "Oh, yes, crery mau is your kin. I hare often noticed you dancing with man in jungles with your arms around his neck". Bear (smiling), Madame, you are mistaken. One wliom I embrace, I kill. That's my dance", "It's death-dance suro!" put in the Lion, Bear, "May be you're correct". Camel, “He's a man and he should certainly be punished." Has he done somo special wrong to you", inquired Miss Fox". Camel-vendetta is known throngbout the whole universe. I never forget the treatment which man metes ont to me while riding my back, Miss Fox,' sharply retorted Camel. Miss Fox, “In matters of enmity, I believe in promptness. The Indian saying goes, 'Propose," and marry promptly'. No delay. This is my beliel.”. Camel, “My belief is firin". Cat, “Why delay, why not inete out the punishment soon to this inan?" * "Chat mangoi pat biah". 57 ·Lion, "It is nis opinion that this man must be made the Toreign Alinister of some country. In human world there is no greater punishment these days than conferring on of this post. The Arjuanistan Government is in neeil of such a Foreign Secre. tars". The Cat interrupted by habit, “Oh, no! This punishment is sery interesting. There will be ample of enjoyment, plenty of resi, and on the top of it great many banquets. Free air travel to add to it.........". Elephant, “Gjor old came''. You cannot conceire of any. thing beyond good food and delicacies. You do not seem to be realising that none is more miserable in human world these days than a Foreign Minister. As the Indians say: Qaziji duble kron, (Cadi, why are you so lbin :) Ke Shchr ka andesha. ( Because of the cares of the town). Don't son sec he bas to care for the opinions of the entire nation as also he has to maintain good relations with other count. ries. On every step he is beset with dangers and risks..... And moreover this particular man standing before us has got a beard which is a sure sign of diplomats and Foreign Secretaries", Dog: "T agree with fr. Lion fully because I am conrersant with the habits and psychology of man. How megalomaniac and flattery loving is man, I alone know it being in constant company of him. I, therefore, second this resolution whole-heartedly”, The resolution of Mr. Lion about the man was passed unanimously. The Simurgh* was entrusted with the job of flying with this man to the kingdom of Arjuanistan and getting bim installed as Foreign Minister there. * An imaginery bird of fabulous sizholding those lege men used to fly long distances, Indian and Persian literature is replete with the stories of this bird. 2 ·THE SIMURGH RETURNS Hardly half an hour right hare elapseil before the Simiuruh returned froin that uvexplored region of Central Africa where this kingdom of Arjnanistan is situated. He succoceed in his inission withont any dilliculty because according to the Congittion of Arjnanistan only that person was entitled to the post of Foreign Ministership who was the most hairy one. The l.jou vag aware of this and also of the death of the last, Foreign Minister of that State, Kite, Courade President, I move on nf Uranke to Mr. Simurglı on behalf of the coníerence for his meritorious site vices to the animal world. What stupendous spred lic loos en: He has oven Deaten the record of the fiuman delta-shapest liners with a speed of 3000 m. p. h. This is no nican achirre. nient. No one can possibly dreain of such a Diing oven in i coretous trance. I move the vote.** Simurgh, "I lave done nothing sesorsing of congratulations. It was unctuous service, not nicritorious-the man wag awili oily. Cock, "My kinsfullt, what greater task deservings of morits could there be than of ridding us of the company of tan-3 11:11). gerous species. And moreover you were responsible fris incling him ont the sort of punishment which he will not forget for the rest of his life." Alter the resolation about congrainlating the Simurgh was passed the president announced, "I solemnly declare the conference open, and reqnest that the proceedings should com. mence.' Kite, “In the human world the Chariman of the Reception Committee delivers bis address foret 2nd we have done so much without regard to this procedure." Dogs"We don't follow man. We have a different proch. dure. We boycot all conventiong. I entreat you courado presia 59 ·dent, to ask Mr. Dragon to begin his reception address and oblige.” Dragon, with tears in his eyes, In the solitude of my cave, in conversation vith the stars above, I have prepared a dish of ideas--sheer imagination. I put this before yon: I bad been hearing so far that dangerous weapons have been invented in the world but I was content and complaisant in the sanctuary of my valley and was confident that whatever happens to the world my serenity would not be disturbed. Atom or H-Bombs might destroy the world but they would not be able to disturb my valley. My sanctuary will remain immune I imagined. But one night my surprise had no limits when I gav in the pitch dark of the horizon a circular disc with changing colours of light like a chamelion. It was soundless. It was emitting forth shafts of lightening as fast as the tongues of an angered king cobra coining out of and going into the mouth, with fabulous speed. I was alarmed. ES Excuse me I did not attend the last Animal Conference because I had false notions of security in my calley. I thought I was safe. But this new object which I saw that might has opened my inner eyes. If I say, it had the speed of a rocket, it would not be wrong." Swallow, "It was a radar propelled bomber." Fox, " Yes, tbe future is going to be a Radar, Warfare and man is experimenting with this. I suppose it came froin the South-East, as its base is somewhere in the South-East Seas. t Dragon, “ Yes, of course correct. - How did you know it? This was the direction, Fox;" I know this because I kuow many nther things connected with the next radar war." Fagle, "So it would not be atomic war ?" Fox," Wrong. It would commence with radar, and atom, N, and H-Bombs will play their own parts." 60 ·Swallow," Please Dragon continue your address ; then what happened ? Dragon, “Seeing this object, cnrrade president, I set on musing and began to ponder that if this object fired some miesiles what would be the fate of ing beautiful valley and what would happen to this turbulent Panjsheer River, which is noted for its ferocity throughout the country. I was wondering as to what object should I use to counter act any blows of this 'bolt from the blue'." You need not worry about all this, Mr. Dragon. Our Shakh-i-Iblis, Keesh-i-Buz and Jal-i-Baqa" are more than a inatch for all these man-made weapons of desiruction," interrupted the Snako. These discs which comiade Dragon is referring to must be American, put in the Owl in his sagacious way. Why malign America always, wlis not they were the Soviet ones?", butted in Falcon. Owl, " Who should think of maligning our ally-the only hope of ending the human progeny. As for the Russians they cannot be our allies or friends. They believe in perpetuating the rule of man. They are creating conditions in their country which convey that not only that they do not wish to cnd the luman race but on the contrary they are contriving means and ways for improving the lot of tho common man. That's dangero118. We can't look on them with reliance in our mission of human elimination ; and that inspite of their mastering the A. C. & the H-Bombs. You cannot trust this sort of dreaming race. Beware of them.' Dragon, " True ; to continue my story: This disc suddenly fell down; then I saw a thick smoke rising up and enveloping it. There were thick volumes of smoke rising up in the sky." "It was our Life-IVatert smoke from that iniraculous Spring which produces gassenus volunuious clouds, vapours and steams, Shakh.i.Iblis (Satan's Branch), Rico:h-i-Buz (Goat's Beard) Aab-j. Baqa (Life-Vater). * Vide "Animal Conferonco" page 12. 61 ·the light effect of which makes Radar products and atomic Teapons useless and harmless," putting in wisely, the Owl gave a circular motion to bis head. Drayon, (continned his addresu), And not a trace of the circular object was discernible. All that fell back on the ground was soot and smut, dust and ash." Fox, “If you were present in our first conference you would have learnt it that we have evolved such rapours and steams which destroy all electronic and non-electronic weapons of man. Atom, H-C & N-Bombs or any radar missiles are all rendered harmless against the effects of cur antidotes. We shall defeat bis Radar-Warfare. Have confidence in animal prudence." Cat, Are there any more examples after the Bikini experi. ment of atomic explosions infloring the lives of animals ? I think there are none." Lion, Auntie you were in the kitchen busy with delicatesen when man was experimenting at NEVADA, MONTE BELLO (in Australia), and I hope you were still sleeping on man's lap when he was experimenting in the Serier Bridge Reservoir of Central Utah." Cat, “is there any proof of what you are saying about Utah?" “This piece from a human newspaper will suffice to prove," and the lion threw the piece of paper towards the cat which the president caught up with a slight swing of her wings and read aloud :- Salt Lake City, Nov. 13, 1953. "The USA Naval Ordnance Laboratory today announced that what is thought to be the largest underwater charge ever to be detonated will be set off the week on Nov. 14, in the Serier Bridge Reservoir in Central Utah.” "Results of the expir:ion test will have considerable value in planning for civil and military defence..." “During recent years sereral isolated desert and mountain sites in Utah have been used for underground detonation experiments of high explosives.” 62 ·"Fishes and Water-fowls please remember the word under. water." All the fishes. Ve all remember Bikini and this one was expected to be more ruinou9, bnt thien we did not lag behini in using our own raponrs to defeat man and his desilir. Te are not unarmed as before." Elephant, "After the post - war experiments of atomic weapons, we thought that the man would gire up this insanity, but it seems he is obstinate and is still continuing these in Australia, Africa, and where elso, we do not knox. The experiments in the wilderness are fatal to us. The sictims are always animals." Vulture, "Then" why did'nt we allow that poor Caro-man 10 participate in onr conference. He is as much a siciim as ourselves of these inhuman experiments? After all it was a question of solidarity." Owl, "There is no question of solidarityTe 'organiso separately and march together with all those who are opposed to the 20th century man. So far as the Cave-man is concerned he will one day be as dangerous as the civilisei man1, once he evolves a civilisation, and much inore dangerous, if he porchance, evolves a 'White' civilisation through interireading, 'social' contacts or some other process known only to man After all he is a thinking animal, and nothing is more dangerous than thinking, as we all know it." Fox, "Yes, correct." Elephant, “He might be a thinking animal but not a correct tbinking one. His judgment is so often fanlty." President, "What d'you mean?": “Simple," added the elephant, "I'm from Assam and a fieldploughman there. My master bad an inveterate enemy who was bent upon doing him incalculable harm. The enemy too had an elephant. So, one night he made his bull trample down lis own paddy fields, and in the morning lodged a complaint with tho # After tho Second World War. 63 ·local Panchayat* that the elephant of his neighbour had ruined his paddy fields in the night. The Council of the elders was beld and the judgment was awarded against my master and against iny buible-self. I was canell and chastised mercilessly and the master was fined berond his capacity. I could not bear all this injustice. I ran to the trampled field, and stamping my foot near the guilty one held it aloſt till the men chasing me reached there. Some of them caught my gesture and exainined the foot-prints and found to their ulter dismay that I was not the guilty one, as the marks of ſcet loſt in the field were quite different to mine. But do you think it inade any difference to the Panchayat? None. Ny wounds remained unhealed and the...." Prezident, "Excuse me, Mr. Elrphant, the whole position is clear, you need not dilale on more truth in this respect," "lían hangs man, Ir. Elephant, and so often the not guilty one. History is replete with instances-Sacco & Venzetti, "pat in the Eagle". Falcon, "Comrade Presideni let Jr. Drngon go on with bis address now." Giraffe, "He has nothing more to add to the Elephant wisdom, T presume. Dragon, "I're finished. Let Comrade Swallow go on with her presidential Thesis." Sırallow, "Comrade delegates of the earth, under-earth, water and air, I am rers grateful to you for the honour you hare been good enough to bestow on my humble and negligent-self, in electing president for guiding the deliberations of this auspicious occasion, for derising ways and means to defeat the desilry of man-made weapons. I're to make certain observations with regard to the radar-Tarfare......" “Call it a 'pusii-bniton warfare'” interrupted the Crott. "Thank you Mr. Crow, call it electronic, push-button or radar-warfare. It boils down to the same thing. But for con- Fenience sake I hare decided to term it radar-Tarfare. # Panchayat : A council of elders, 64 ·"Several thousand years ago, much before the Jews were driven asvay from their bomeland by the Philistines, there was a regular warfare between the animals and the man. We destroyed his armies and hordes with pebbles and grare) thrown froni height. He was upset. And from that time on he engage himself in finding ways and means of combating the birds, he set on evolving a technique for flying in the air, and when finally he succeded in in renting aeroplanc, he forgot animals and starter destroying his own kith and kin. Tiringingis has be worked 011 perfecting the aeroplane which will now fly pilotloss and the radar bases on ground will monitor them. These radar monitoreri planes will hurl missiles on military and strategic largers in emballing norements from one end of a country in another. Machines will fight machines and human berer will be the saved while inflicting colossal loss on the enemy. "This technigne which has been developed is of tremendous importance. It has vital features which are not yet been attainer by jet or rocket. The inost guitable bases for monitoring this kind of planes are in the South-East of Europe as well as in the south-west.in Italy and Spain." "Hot d'you know it, comrade president!" hotted in kile. Please do not interrupt me I shall deal with all the aspects of thig radar, only if you perinit me uninterrupted," continned the president. “Yon will ask why these bases have been selected, and not the ones in north of Europe. The reason is simple. These bases have got feeding bares in Africa in the Desert of Sabara, not easy to locate lsy any human observation planes. Thus, in the safety of this desert lie immense war ipaterials to be flown to Europethe inainland of all modern wars-and this is why Italy and Spain bave been chosen France conld not be trusted as she is sometimes imbued with 'semi-denocratic insanity'. That country, 50 often revolts against her undemocratic alljes, and at the risk of a defeat even does not go in for the use of deadly poisonous weapons. France was in a position to have used the atom bombs against Germany much earlier than used in Hiroshima and 65 ·Nagasaki. But then Liberty, Equality and Fraternity slogans interfered with the ways of her military chiefs and lords. Thos you see what the position is, and what are the most dangerons places which we, the animals, hare to be aware of for onr owni salety, and to guard against the idiosyncrasies of this Son of Cain. "Are our three defence processes not sufficient to defeat him?" put in the Horse, Wolf, “You mean, Life water, Goat's Beard and Satan's Branch?" Zabra, 'This is the meaning of my friend, Horee." Swallow, "Yes, we are quite adequately armed against the ravages of these human weapons. Yet we have to keep an eye on what new thingy of devastation he inrents. And for that it is the duty of Crow, Cat and Dog as also of Mice to keep the animal world informed." Dog, "We are always alort and Dr. Pigeon has so often been entrosted with the delivery of our secret despatches to the Committee." “Yes Sir, yes, of course yes, I receivel some despatches from Mr. Crow, Monse, and Mr. Dog and faithfully did I transmit the same to the Committee. But I receiverl none from Pussy," said Mr. Pigeun. "Yon never accosted me, and if son had done I'd hare given you some important recipes of man," protested Miss Possy. "You mean the food recipes?" Hare interrupted the Cat. Monkey, "You cann't expect her copying the scientific researches of man. That task is left to me." Cat, "Why didn't the Committee trust son in the Vigilance Corps then?" "There's no question of trust or confidence, it is a question of over-acting, out of enthusiasm though. Mr. Jonkey has got this weakness in bim,” corrected the Eagle. "It was feared when electing the Committee that Mr. Monkey might use man's weapons 66 ·against him without the prior sanction of the Cominittee. This was the reason for keeping hint out of the corps. You should know this, Miss Cat, President, "No sido talk. picasa." Zebra, “I'd like someone to throw $unt light on the flying Powis so often talkeri osiy man,' Lion, "Yes, it is a very fair question 2018] I taka ile liliorly ni answering, with the permission of the pression. The wore :0) flying-Bowls heard of before it atunic basis fouk piacs: on carili. It is recognised that the atomic clmquis, after the rocastioil, 14 up in the ether, awi, reaching ti!e flristovaliumi, distusiv litt anri atmosphere on the other planets. it were the inlaistanis o ar or Saturn who derised this Bowl am are coming soonrupise from scientific research work. They hav: 1364 roi lanılvel, al itasi ilyen is no proof of it. May be they do not kriis! Inail. clear." Bear: "What're the nearest points of eartlı these ilçin Bawis have so far reachedi" Elephant, "You onght in knor betier Jir. Pear. Ther linta been sighted on the Himalayas and the polar regiune. 'I he reason of their coming is simple. The atomic blasts on earah hare disturbed the life on Jlar; anci Saturn and the Saturnians anci Martians have launcheil expeditions to locate the sonrce of these disturbances. They incan to punish the disturbere." 67 ·TRANCE-THESIS. Lion, addressing the fox, “A short while ago we bad some talk, Miss Fox, that you will be good enongh to regale the conference with that Thesis of ronrs, which we agreed to call a Trance-Thesisas according to yon all those ideas included in the thesis came when you were in a trance. I beg your pardon, if I have offended yon by divulging your secret before the time, Fox, "You need not apologise AIr. Lion. I shall start right off." AFTER THE WORLD WAR III The Fox took a few steps towards the Chair and sitting on her haunches closed her eyes and proceeded:- "Brothers and sisters; The Third World War was over in 1963. A great part of the earth was devastated by the atomic weapons, death.rays, multi-colour man-made lightenings and artificial earthquakes. What was know? till the l'ebruary of 1956 as world had shivered now to very sipall dimensions. Eren the Himalayas had disappeared. Only that much portion of the earth remained where there were situated the Holy places of man; or some portions in close proximity with these lands. From Morocco to Indonesia and Indo-China very little was left. All other portions of the earth had gone underwater. The continent, which was generally known as Europe, was no where to be traced, nor was any land to be found as Americas. The only thing which reinained in tbe West was a small island of London--this because it was the Mecca of the wealth-worshippers of the world. And Moscow, and all that is allied with it, reinained quite intact because of its sacred value to the World Revolution and its adjuncts. All governments had toppled. All State affairs were pow being transacted in the Bazars. Curzon would bare been mightily delighted to see this state of affairs, as he had once sarcastically remarked in the twenties, about the Bazar politics of the East. It was in 1922, when he had rebuked Turkey for her intransigence. 68 ·"There was Control operating on everything now, Whatever items were left out from this, had come now under its axe. Air and water were controlled and rationed. It was considered crime to hoard more water or consune inore air......" "What vere the items which had come under control system after the World War 11? butted in Miss Cat. Fox, "You must be knowing thrin better, typing in proximity with pian and staring liis ſoorl. However, I add in your knowlelige: Grains, Elgar and all cribles comme under this heari. Licenses became rampant even for the importing rf Loat's milk Black marketing was one means of Inpex. Throngh this new scientific systeni of modern times the fatty began to fatten filter and the lean became leaner. This must be cicar to you now, Diss Cat, President, please artress the Chair, liss Fox." "Yes, Comrade l'resivient, I beg your pardon," proceeded bliss l'ox. "Now after the Third World War the black marketing extended to air and water too. "No more did the people like to go for walks by the sea-side or the side of rirer parks, as the air in open places everywhere was contaminated. It was radio-active and poisonous. It was full of atomic dust. This was the case ererywhere. People used to go to the air distribution centres with their gas inasks on and buy this novel and rare commodity--the pure air and oxygen-according to their needs. One could see man crerywhere in these masks resembling wearing elephant trunks. Pet animals were also supplied with oxygen of goine cruder quality. “Yowhere were open residences visible. All living was underground in closed houses where ran the taps for gupplying fresh air for keeping the temperature of the rooms moderate. OF course there was tax on this supply. * A compound torm for imports and exports coined by the mercantile community 69 ·Rich and well-to-do people use to its in the air in their cars, taxies and motor cycles, reaching sometimes the ordinary heights of 10,000 fts. It was seen that the motor vehicles would suddenly jump into the air from the roads and reach celestial heights. They began to hover in the skies like crows and kitee. "and like vultures ton," interrupteil the kite, "Yes," said the l'ox, and continued with her theme. And all the animals liad disappeared from the skies, they had gone away to the north of India and south of Afghanistan. Some of these were seen in the vicinity of Jagdalak bills in Afghanistan. “Old style acroplanes were extinci now as every body could use his own vehicle for flying to whaterer distances he chose. Air taxies became as coinion as the road taxies of the past. "Gone were thodays when it took hours for air trarel froi Baghdad to Cairo. The travel was now reduced to bare 10 minutes between these two centres. "There was only one danger which still ſacerl tliese vehicles. It were the radio-active clonds, and for this, inan had fitted in radar derices everywhere. I have nothing more to add," and Miss Fox opened her eyes. "Trash all trasb," sighed the Sardine, "The world remained as it was even after the World War II). Only a slight dominge was done to it, and People's Democracies sprang up all over the world. What was eliminated was the oppression of man by man. The War started on 14th of February 1956 and finished exactly after six years. This was the repetition of the old cycle". Fox protested vehemently and proceeded : “Don't compel mne to lay bare more secrets of Ether than you can consume or digest. Be shocked to hear that there are going to be no more World Wars after the World War IIl; and life ceases to exist on Earth in 1999-the last year of all human and living beings existence. The Earth explodes in that year becanse of the human vagaries and his craze of scientific means of destruction. His experiments will end all life. Believe me or not!" 70 ·. Sardine again interrupted : “You are quoting Michael Notre Damus of France who predicted in 1552 many things as also he predicted the Doomsday in 1999, Hare,“ Have you got a counter-Thesis, Miss Sardine ?" "No, I do not believe in verbiage. I believe in few words and more action," pleaded the Sardine. Lizard, “Correct. orld was not much changed in structure after the War' What about the Americas ?" questioned Mr. Wolf. Lizard," As to Aluerica what was left of it after the war and the guerilla action was a letter American continent free from dollar and greed. It talione, all former restrictions on thonght and beliefs. Every (isto was free to think as he or she liked. There was no inore victimisation on account of political faiths. It become a People's Democracy". "Fine, Miss Lizard," urowled the panther. Camel, "Comrade President, with yonr permission I would like to know as to what all this talk is about the Moral re-armament which we hear so innch in the human world". Elephant,"It is a talk on moral values of re-armament. Man wants to find moral justification for arming and re-arming against his own folks. That's all. This is my tiny-sell's opinion". Bear, "Man has got many 'moral values'. They differ according to time and circumstances. He sometimes devises justi. fication for keeping individuals under restraintand bondage and at others he gubdues entire nations, on grounds of colour and culture, This is all moral. What he calls his birth-right is, he thinks, his exclusive prerogative. He does not allow the same birth right to others. That is the history of colonialism". Camel, “We never knew, Mr. Bear, you were so dialectical in your approach. What you have given is a nice treat on moral values". 월 ** Bear," It is all a question of load, Mr. Camel. They some times call it a White Man's Barden'. 71 ·CAVE-MAN & HIS FATE Fox, "We would like to know," comrade President, the fnte of the Care-luan whom Mr. Simurgh took to Arjuanistan for setting him the most irkeome job of Foreign Secrrtarrship." Lion, "Let's send an expedition to that land and get in antlientic report. In my humble opinion none is more suitable for: this mission than Mr. Crow assisted by box and Ow). I suppost Crow and Owl together for the simple reason that the former is the wise bird of India and the latter of Britain, ind, as you know, these two countries are intertwined in an inseparable wedlock. It's a question of erorlasting love between the no contries. They are inseparable." Ow1, “Arjuanistan is a country very far froin here. Neither Dir. Crow, nor Niss Fox and 11:11ch 1995 mpysell con reach that country in less than thirty days of journey. Simugh is the only bird who can undertake such an arduous trip." Elephant, “For the first time your visdoin has failed, Mr. Owl. Te are requesting Mr. Simore to take the trouble of landing you all three in drjuanistar!, and fetch you back, safely and comfortably, as soon as you have finalised your observations." Simurgh, “If this is the decision of the Conference then I ain willing to undertake this joly. I would have mysel! .undertaken the whole task but l ani neither endowed with the Indo-British wisdom nor the conning of Niiss Fox. I am a simple bird which can be noticed by the Arjuanis if I try to fly from place to place. I am neither sly nor wise. My main proficiency is transport." President, "Is it the sense of the House to send these three birds and Miss Fox to Arjuanistan. I desire role." Seeing 'all tails and necks of all the animals in assent-motion and the hands of the simian delegates raised aloit, the President declared the resolution passed without dissent. It was a unani. mous decision. Owl and Crow sat on either wings of the huge bird wbile the Fox fixed herself in between the two legs. And, just when Mr. Simurgh was about to take off, the Cat jumped on 72 ·its body and the entire troupe left for the farthest destination in the unexplored central Africa, The House Adjourni8. The President in the mean while adjourned the House so that the delegates could take a loliday and roam far and wide in the Hindu Kush mountains. Enjoying the julicy mulberries, tasting various fruits, climbing the hills and reposing in the dales, the entire sets of delegations enjoyed their well earned holiday. The recess was well utiliser by some of the more inquisitive. "Fishes," We decide to go 11!-stream and enjoy the bracing, icy cold winds. We shall report to the Conference if we come across anything unique or beneficial to our people. We are sore we will explore something new.”' We shall go up on that ice-cap, towering above our conference" Birds, Quadrupeds, “We, the irr-footed and lightless birds, decide to explore the ravines and enjoy the dry fruits for which this land is noted." Monkey, “I shall go to the Care and find out what the Cave-man was doing all the time there before we banished him to become the Foreign Secretary of that blessed land. I am sure, be was guarding some riches." Lion, “Don't imunitate him, otherwise we shall bave to deport you also to some distant land likewise and instal sou there as something. Remember, you are noted for plagiarism.' There are many who copy others, it's a question of excelling; and I yield palm to none in this trait," added Mr. Donkey as bis reply to Mr. Lion's retort. 73 ·THE EXPEDITION RETURNS As the day forthe return of the Expedition neared, the animals began to gather round the Conference site and formed panorama in anticipation of Mr. Simurgh's landing. There was all-round silence, and rapt attention was focussed on the sounds of the huge wings of the Simurgh heard nearing the site. None distnrhed, but the monkey could not hold himself. Suddenly, taking oft: a tiger's skin off his body, he began to dance in his place and demonstrate his jewel necklaces and other ornaments pat on his body like the human beings do in the East. "This is wbat the Cave-man was guarding all this time in his abode," shouted the Monkey in glee. But the President ruled him out of order and asked him to sit down as silently as others, as the audience had no time to listen to his idiosyncrasies or pay any heed to his pranks. President Rebukes The Cat. In the midst of the panorama formed by the delegates to the Conference the Simurgh alighted lightly. The President greeted in the following words :- " While heartily welcoming you and congratulating you Mr, Crow, Miss Fox, Mr. Owl and the great Mr. Simurgh I sharply demand explanation of Miss Pussy as to with whose permission she took the liberty of jumping on the back of Mr. Simurgh who bore all the brunt silently and without a protest." Cat, “I-0-meon, comrade, I thought I could be useful in exploring the kitchen of man in that wonderful land, because without details about his eatables the Report would be incomplete and that is why at the last moment, in the interest of the animal world I hazarded a fall from the uncomfortable back of our great comrade." (Laughter all round.) Lion, Comrade President, we ought to have included auntie Cat in the expedition, and after all it was good that she 74 ·took the liberty for whiclı, however, she should be lightly punished. The occasion demands a little leniency rather than harshness. President, "Granted, Miss Cat you are pardoned of the major crine, and the only punishment meted out to you is that you should not interrupt the proceedings till you are asked to speak," Cat, “Meon, yes." President, "Let's have the report ; Mr. Crow begin please I request Miss Fox, Cat and the Owl to follow him. As for your report Mr. Simurgh we place at the end which is the other end of the top. You are the last but not the least important." Crow, "Gada-i-shehr be-beneid Mir Majlis shud"* (Lo ! The city-beggar has becoine the head of the assembly). " I saw Mr. Caveman at close quarters. He is now crowned king of Arjuanistan. This incident was a strange one ; his accession to the throne was through an election after the sudden demise of the ruling potentate of that State. This country has a convention that objects all solutions. If the king dies issueless, then the entire country votes for a new one. The choice fell on our Cave-man whom they now call 'Kiko-yi-Kook (Lord of the Universe). Only the Commander-In-Chief of the State revolted against this choice of the people, and he was speedily dealt with by the * King himself, according to the usage of the country. Two huge pieces of pliers with hollows at both ends were placed on the table of the King. The hollows at the tips were enough to contain a human head. The head of the C-in-C was put in between these hollows and pressed and stroked by the king himself with the result that his head got elongated and the top rose like a mountain cap. The idea was to place the brain as high in the body as possible so as to deprive the victim of his thinking power." 6 * In Persian Language. 75 ·Wolf,“ So, it was to deprire the C-in-c of his thinking powers! After all the sarage had heard from us that he was not admitted into our conference because he possessed the thinking popers." Crow," May be you are true but I have no comments to make on this procedure. To continue with my report : "The king appointed another C-111-C, more docile and faitlıful to hiinself. 'The king dresses himself in the wrappers of green and blue cloth, made from some rough fabrics. He wears a lot of shells and coloured stones around his neck and on his head-gear. His fads are varied. He beliares like a child and erinces a lot of buffoonery in his manners. He exhibits many pranks now. Не is not yet married lnt is always found in the company of young girls--the first adjuncts of a inodern civilisation these days, “The entire country prefers the two colours-green and blue, For head-gear the populace puts on a cap which looks like a cross between the Turkish Fez and the Iranian peasant domedhat. It's flat at the top. "Arjuanistan is a beautiful country-colourful and lirely. It is surrounded by ice-bound mountains ; it is rich in verdure. People like green and blue, as I have said before. They greet one another with one hand on the stomach which signifies that, 'your place is somewhere in my stomach'." Vulture, "ther must be cannibals.' Crow, “No, they hare not yet come to your standard in edibles." Dog, It is a question of belly." Crow, “ I have no inferences for the time being. I am concerned with simply rendering a report~ faithful and grapbic. President, "Let the remarks be reserved till the report is over, Messrs Vulture and Dog.' Crow, The capital, which they call Keek-Vye-Kook (city of the king), is situated between nine bills with each one having 76 ·17 a towering peak. And on these peaks are propped upright organs of the shape of lou vers of some strange inetal with sloping boards of 21 pieces and 12 each, interspersed, to keep up the harmony, perhaps. They produce nice music when the wind blows, and wind blows there all the 24 hours of the day. The music is melodious. "On one of the larger hill.tops stands a huge ebony carved Camel. The people of this country are camel worshippers ; that's the State religion there in Arjuanistan. Camel, “I'm lucky." Crow, “May be so, but we have seen no live camel in that country. They worship ihe dead, it seems. There's a danger that if you go there they might stuff you with grass and prop yon up on some hill-ton. They would not -worship you alive, That's the custom. And in tach bome there is an ebony camelidol, of the size of doll. They worship it by beating their right hand fingers on their foreheads in front of it. Strange, but true. Teinperance is a crime. One wlio caniot drink has to produce a inedical certificate of exemption. There are many cases where people have been found buying empty wine bottles anul exhibiting prominently in homes so as to cheat the lixcise Inspectors or Inspectresses when they go round for checking. Every one boasts that he or she drinks this elixir of life regularly. Thus some times the cost of empty bottles far exceeds that of the wine bottles themselves. On suspicion of abstinence these officers sometimes smell the months of the inmates, and this smelling is a promissing job, as more often the inmates seal the mouths of these guardians of law and order by heavy gifts-i. e. costly ones.” To come to a very interesting question of the Satan's Branch I was quite upto the park in my information when I told Comrade Chakore in the “ Bird Conference” that this herb was available in Africa everywbere. ," Parrot, Although I am charged generally for short memory yet here I maintain my memory very distinctly and 77 ·clearls. Y011, Nr. Crow, said, 'in the deserts of Africa,' while this Arjuanistan is a country full of green as per your own account of the place." Crow, "It's quite a minor deviation, Mr. Parrot, and I hope I will not be severely dealt with for thig. ( Langhter ). For fear of further deviations I deem it necessary to close my account and hope "Vr. Owl will give a better version, President, "Mr. Owl, please oblige us by describing erery thing abont Arjuanistan you say during the scjourn there, we hope you have got many interesting sides of the life of that cuuntry to give us in your brilliant style." Flapping both his massive wirgs, giving n majestic motion to his bulky head, the Owl settled down in the place just vacated by the Crow, and proceeded; " Night life is very gay in Keck-rye-Kook. If I describe in detail it will take quite a lot of time and it will be wastage, I bare a few things to add to the account rendered by my friend Mr. Crow. He was qnite correct about the louver music, but what he conld not see I have seen. It is the night life. As soon as it is 7-30 P. M., young singing girls are handed at the bases of these lourers. Their voices blend with the natural musical notes of these organs, producing a marvellous symphony. But what is more interesting about Arjuanistan is that even those people are preparing for war which they term as 'Tar Against Veighbour.' In human world none is considered inore dangerous these days than a neighbour. 'Fight thy neighbour' is a new slogan of the entire human world adopted in the twentieth century. This is nothing peculiar about the Arjuanistan people. "For weapons, the warriors of that country hare still got their spears and arrows but they do not shoot these with hands and bows these days. These weapons are fixed in different postures on huge electronic boards and shafts. They are shot by 'push-button' method." Kite, "Are they poisoned?" 78 ·Owl, “To, the Arjuanis are gaite civilised people, they use inicrobes instead of poison on their arrow and spear tips (Laughter). **These Arjuanis arc wonderfnl people. They are also talking of war of Atoms and are preparing to fight the same against their impiediale neigibours, since since there are some political differences amongst these a'ljoining people; and human beings no more believe in the adage, 'Lire and let live'. This is 'counted as deviation Crow, "No body expected such an unecientific talk from the wise bird of England. Vr. Owl's expressions deny the classwar in human world. He totally ignores che contradictions of capitalist system which prodnce wars. The race for inarkets leads to race for armaments and the race for armaments leads, ipso facto, to war. Our great friend does not seem to be reconciling this universal human theory with his ideology. The analysis, thus, is inaccurate and irrational.” Owl, "I beg your pardon. Then in a way Mr. Cow is supporting iny premises. I should emphatically assert here that the guilty are the people who allow themselves to be docilely governed by-what they call-the capitalists. Guilty are the people who allowed Fascism and Yazism to flourish. A handful and a clique is governing these States, and the general people behave as sheep. This edifice of tyranny is supported and inaintained by the people themselves..." "Don't forget, 'economics govern the world'; finance capital has got the strings of governance in its hands," remonstrated Xir. Crow." Owl, “Then why not overthrow Finance Capital? You are only constantly supporiing iny theory propounded in the "Bird Conference" that man is the reservoir of destruction. May be that man is symbolised by your Finance Capital." President, "No more of your controversy, Mr. Crow and Mr. Owl, we want the Owl to proceed with his statement and if he is not going to add much to his observations then I call upon 79 ·the next member of the expedition to speak. But under no circumstances shall I permit this dialogne between yon two to continue "This will be against our interests." Owl, “I rezume my statement interrupted by Mr. Crow, But his was a rery sound argument which has clarified many an issne at stake, "Sticking firmly to my previous assertions that I yield palm to none in the 'pission of lestriction' yet what I have seen of man is crossing the bounds in this mission. While I undertake ing task slowly-allowing the mankind to grow and prosper-and attack where I feel to punish them, but, by the grace of all the derine virtues of 20th century civilisation, man is bent upon wrecking the world. There is another danger fast developing not only to man but to the entire universe. His craze about atomic researches will end in Mars dashing against the Earth and his mission to Moon will end in the destruction of that luminons island in the Ether. These are not my predictions ? observations only. Believe me or not but these are facts-inci.re. Overtible and laden with logic." President," Confine yourself to your obserrations about Arjuanistan only, please." "Yes, my lord..." ***Dont try to be funny, say Comrade or Mister, Mr. Owl", interrupted the great Pear. Owl, "I beg your pardon. Confining strictly to my statement and observations of the expedition I beg to request that Comrade Crow should not interrupt me ang piore, and if he has got anything more to add, then let him come out with his addendum after I finish, comrade presidert..." Crow, “But Comrade president..." "Yes, Comrade Crow, wat no more of your interruption, please," expostulated the President, "On with your statement, Mr. Owl." Owl, "Contioning my talk about the weapons of the Arjuani people I think it wise to state that the arrows and spears they ·use are radio-active. There is a central operation board from which they are shot and that board bas hands like the chronometer all around it. These hands denote the distance of the targets. "The country is electrified, and electricity is generated by a kind of sand rather than by water. It produces bright pale light which beats down the electricity of the civilised world. They guard the secret of electricity as much as the civilised world guards its atomic energy. "The houses in that country are all single storied. Though thatched yet are very artistically mass produced. In the corners of the rooms in each house there are moonlike florescent tubes which are so einbedded in the walls that they are hardly discernible during the day. In the nights they burst out like projectiles with their cool lovely light. “Incidentally I should describe how the sexes greet one another when they meet. They cross their hands on the hearts which signifies, 'My heart is clean '..." Nightangle, "Nice way for expressing matters of heart." Dog,” Comrade president, this genial way of greetings is not clear to me." Owl, "It is quite clear. It means my heart is a clean slate and there is a place for you.” ( Peals of laughter ); Fox, *"Letting go, Comrade Owl.” Owl, "There are very good Opera Houses in the country and specially in the capital where dances around the central fire are very cominon, no matter how hot it is..... Polar Bear, “Awful!" "Not so much. Have no fears. There is a central cooling station in each capital city, and just as the houses are heated in the West so are they being cooled in this country under review...... Cuckoo, “Wonderful !” * Childron's slang for 'let it go.' 81 ·Owl, "Yes very wonderful and here I conclude my statement. Do not wish to be long. I am noted for Irerity, President, "Thanks Mr. Owl for yonr glaring revelations. I ask Miss Pussy to come forward and régale us with lier experiences of food in that country." Cat, 'Ne, 0, m001). I have forgotten currything I lasted. All I romember are the supersonic rilyrations on my tongue of thosc tasty dishce, all else I're forgotten. I am unable to ulter it single syllable further than this." Crow, "That was of course expected of yon. You rendered 11s no licin while yon were in onr company lint were simply scratching violently your claws on the wings of our hical friends Mr. Simurgh, on whosc buck you inad jumperl without any lody's permission or sanction." President facing the l'ox motioned her to come up for her turn of the narration. Fox, wagging siyis her brushy tail, lifting her one paw, erecting her left car, lisping her lips with her sharp tongie, procecded: "Comrade President, friends and comrades, it is a Brain-ige, as we had tormed it in onr first 'Animal Conference'. It is a period of 'psychological warfare'. The cold war is over and humanity is now entering a new phase in its total warfare. This new wind is blowing from the West and is spreading to the South Ilast Seas. It is fatal but rital (for us alone). Human brain is not constantly guiding him towards a precipice which will lead him to total extinction. It is a bapps mugury that the rule of man is fast going to come to an abrupt enam-soon and systematic......" "Is this preface necessary Vallure interjected. this foreword ?" ... ? Why Fox retorted, “For those who believe in forelasie it is not necessary, Lion, "Correct, it's pitiable that some of us should adopt the tactics of obstruction so common in the world of human beings," 82 ·Fox, “Thanks for this support. To continue my topic, what I saw and heard is unbelievable yet true. I overheard in the fields the peasants discussing amongst themselves strange topics of the day. "One said, 'What an awful thing that we should fight our neighbours simply because we worship Camel and they the Horse, Second, “History of mankind is a history of wars for property. It has sometimes heen, geneologically speaking, for religion, for private property, for markets, and so on and so forth. But the inain pnrpose is greed.” Third," Human literature has always justified and sanctified Look our history; look at our forefathers, they always spoke that without war there is 110 progress.” Fourth, " That is necessary for psychological preparation for wars. war. First, "The civilised call us savages. Second, "Because we fight with arrows and spears." Furrore amongst the listeners over. this sentence, and questions. Second,“ While answering this volley of questions as to with what the civilised fight you bave heard the name of H-and Atom bombs. They kill en masse, while we kill individually. We are thus backward and savages. Third," Ve are also progressing towards civilisation now, we are proposing to use our arrows and spears not by hand but by Biz-biz." Lion, "What's this Biz-biz?" Fox, "This is the name of their electricity,'' Then the fourth added, “Our king, who talks through the all-rounder interpreter, says that even animals are now organising against mankind and for their defence against man-made weapons, He had seen them in a big conference in a distant land where he saye panthers and tigers were sitting side by side with sheep and 83 ·goats-their natural food. They were devising ineans of combatting mankind," Third, "It seems the animals are now becoming conscious. It seems instinctively, like ourselves, they have a prognosis about the end of the world. I presume they are organising for a common defence." Fourth, "In a way these animals are better than ourselves since they have sunk all their animal differences for the sake of common protection and for safety." Second, " But we Camel worshippers and Horse worshippers cannot sink vurs. Our differences float." Third, " Why?" Second, "Our defence of property is sacred while the animals have no such problem. Third, Oh, yes, we have to safeguard our ill-gotten wealth and do not think of re-distribution amongst the needs. We perpetuate poverty. And the most civilised form of society amongst ourselves is that which has got sharp divisions of poverty and riches; palaces and thatched huts; cars and bare feet. Fourth, "Yes, Keekoo; yon can talk clearly because you have travelled over the world." * Keekoo sounds like an Indian name," butted in the Kite. Fox, "Every name begins with K. in that country. But to proceed further I beg to state that just at this time a farmer noticed me crouching under the bushes and he threw a stone towards me. I persisted. Finding me adamant he got up with his club in hand and advanced towards me. I had to quit. It was just at this time that I heard the yelping.grumphing sound, which was the sound as arranged to be given by Mr. Simurgh for re-assembling for departure. We all aasembled aud this terminated my observations. I have finished." President, "I call upon Mr. Simurgh to round up the report of the expedition by his wise observations." Simurgh, "Fellow delegates, and, please, President, althongh my bulk is large my speech is concise, I have to give only a few 84 ·facts that I observed during my sojourn in that wonderful land. Being afraid lest I be noticed by man I remained mostly in ravines and thick forests. Undetected I surveyed the country. It has some potentialities which the people have not yet realised. It is rich in potash, bromine, salt, gypsuin, magnesium, and as for sul. phur, mica and other minerals there are roiles and miles together. These are all untapped reservoirs. If the civilised man finds these out then of course he will construct all conceivable scientific weapons for periodic slaughter of one auother. But, for the time being, as it is, the modern man has not reached there. "I do not propose to pose myself as 'know-all'. Suffice it to say that I had no other opportunities of studying the country of our expedition. I had a talk with some of the animals and they were very very much satisfied with the results of the first Aninial Conference'. I think I must conclude now,' President “Before calling for resolutions I wish to know whether other delegates have anything special to report abont their individual experiences which they might have come across during the recess period. If you remember, Mr. Monkey was inaking a show of his find wiien we reassembled. He seemed to be very anxious to impart some valuable information to the House." Monkey, “Though I have got fandamental differences with man yet I like immensely some of his things and share the same with him. For instance, his fruits and vegetarian food. "When all the delegates went their individual and collective way I started on a collective mission, though took the individual course. All the while I was apxions as to what this Cave-inan, whoni we have banished to far off Arjuanistan, was doing in that care. I wanted to study his mode of life. This inquisitiveness drove me thither. And lo! Entering the cave I found a huge dump of jewellery and ornaments of gold; and eburnine curios were countless, lying helter skelter here and there, as if the Caveman was playing with them all the while in his solitude. I 85 ·--- ': daresay he was guarding this treasure in the care, . Believe me or not, there is plenty of jewellery lying there. There are diamonds of large size, dazzling rubies, sapphires and unnamed precious stones. I cannot fetch all of them here. If you wish to examine then then, please, serd Camel or Buffalo for bringing the load. Look, bow brilliant are these necklaces and bracelets that I have brought. (Demonstrating the same Monkey said).” Buffalo, "Those who share ornaments with man slionld bring. the load. I am no where in his favour." "President, “Elephant, Camel, Pigeon and the Horse are the known animals known to us who have enjoyed human ornaments." Camel, "I protest very rehemently: they are imposed on us. We never don them willingly." Elephant, lifting his trunk high showed his inner teeth in smile and laughter and said, "I relish the ornaments immensely and feel proud when on festival occasions the people look more towards me and admire me than they do the Maharajah or the Nawab gitting perilously in the canopy on my back. I wish I could go to the cave and bring all that.'' President, "No, I order. Mr. Camel to oblige us with this mission." The Monkey led the Camel to the mouth of the care and loaded all the jewellery on his back. Not content with loading him so heavily the Monkey jumped on the back of the Camel and enkernelled himself in a huge brass vessel already full of ornaments and jewels. It was a free ride." Entering the Conference arena the Monkey emptied bags after bags of his find. The curiosity having heen satisfied after some time, a general: discussion started about these jewels. Controversies multiplied: as to the real owner of all this wealth. Dog, "This is not the whole thing. Mr. Monkey could not penetrate the hidden reservoirs there, I had been there much earlier than him, and, through my instinct of detection, came to 86 ·know that much more lhan what was lying on the surface in the cave was buried in hoga inetal pots in the earth.” President, "Will the diggers like Mouse, Fox, Hare and others take the trouble of helping 115 in unearthing all the wealth?" Elephant, "I offer my services for fetching all this as none elye, in iny opinion, would be able to bear this heavy borden." After a short time the Elephant came laden with unheard of wealth which when ponred on the ground dazzled the eyes of all; and Mr. Owl had to close his eres very tightly. It was a huge heap of gold and stones of fabulous value. Parrot, "Wonderful, after all it was 'His Master's Voice' that guided our Dog friend to this treasure." Wolf, "On the contrary it is Dog who guides the master. And he himself told us in the First Conference: 'I possess the knowledge of hidden treasures in the carth and yet......'”. Parrot, interrupting the woll, "Yes, I remember, yon need not gnote any more, please. After all I am not so short of memory as people think.'' *** Monkey, "I can raresay that all this wealth embedded in the cave is from India. The invaders from the north brought all this for taking away to their homes but it seems they either perighed in cold or purposely stored here and forgot their way while coming back to take it. I propose that this should be now: returned to the country of its origin.” Elephant, "It's a sound proposition but that country has been divided beyond recognition, and this return will cause, or rather add to their quarrels over the division of the booty. On the contrary let us wait till India is reunited. Let this wealth be kept as safe deposit in the same place." Lion, "Se we entrust all this huge dump of dazzling wealthprecious stones and gold---hack into the same cave. I propose that we bring back the Cave-man to guard this treasure. The punishment we inflicted on him has become a boon. He is a king instead of the Foreign Ministerwhich we meant him to be.” 87 ·Dragoni, "Don't you think it's dangerons to leave tbe Care. man again in my proximity. I might desonr lim.' Fox, "Don't forget we bave passed the resolution against fleshi eating." President, "Let's not be so vindictive as that. We should let the Cave-man enjoy his kingship: after all there are so many other kings also in the world. Let him be one of themma mere iny for the believers in fun." The world resolving into world revolution will take care of him, "Why soil our hands." Lion, "Then who will guard this treasure-thie jewellery and ornaments?" Fox, "Bury thein deep until India re-nnites." As per order of the President and the decision of the conference the entire treasure was sent back to the Cave to be buried in the same metal pots from which it had been poured out. President, "I call upon others to give us their exploits if any." Wolf, “\Vith your permission, Comrade President, I beg to say that while rommaging for food in the heights of the Hindu Kush I came across this roll of paper buried in the snows. Looks rather strange." President, "Mr. Crow, will you please oblige us by kindly interpreting this to us? None else knows the human language so well. Though Mr. Parrot repeats every word of man ret he professes that he understands very little. Therefore son are the proper. person to deal with this paper." Taking the paper from the President the Crow unrolled it with his sharp beak and read: “It reads under the heading: 'PREDICTIONS' :-- "The world is coming to an abrupt end very soon through the Satanic derilry of man. His inventions will lead to colossal devastations. Every improvement that he effects in the mode of lifewill be defectire. His brain will guide hin of the path on allround destruction-wreck and ruin. The more the deadly weapons. 88 ·he will produce the more will his thirst for greater destructive weapons increase. The culmination point of this retrogression will reach its zenith in the 20th century A.D. This century will be marked by three major wars and many a minor ones, all to be fought by machines of wings, horseless vehicles and εmokeful and smokeless weapons of speed and with gases, invisible and odourlegsno smell and no colour. Let me detail the events chron nologically year by year and century by century......' President, "No, please, no, we are not interested in the details. We want only 20th century and that too after its middle, Mr. Crow." Crow, "Yes, Comrade President," rolling the scroll a good deal the Crow proceeded: ...... The era of 'Push-button' warfare sets in. Preparations for this warfare go on till 1956. The Russo-Japanese War II begins and spreads all over the world.” The cause of this war is some radio-active dust settling down on the western coast of Japan as a resnlt of some scientific experiinents on Turkish soil. But the blame by a Far Western power will be laid at the doors of Russia, and Japan will be made to declare war in retaliation for the human destruction on her soil. Russian protests of innocence will carry no wcight-as the entire Western press aided by its Eastern allies will hurl accusations at the Rassians. President cynically remarked, "Perhaps the great Seer dia pot foresee that Russia will be known in the present era as the Soviet Union and not mere Russia. Yes, Mr. Crow go on with your onerous task of translation." "I desire to know what happens to Germany in the Third War. On whose side would she be?" inguired anxiously Mr. Owl. Crow, "Yes, yes......0, I see here we are. It is written:" Germany will be on the side of the Anglo-American group. Fox, "What about the Germ-warfare?" Crow, "Bacteriological warfare is clearly mentioned in the evente degcribing the Third World War," 89 ·President, looking around at the face of the delegates, we are not interested in thege horrorg, Sir, please, Crow roll the scroll 121). Crow," I too am feeling bored with this account of devastation. Let's.dump it back in the same place from which Mr. Wolf dog it up, otherwise if this paper falls into the hands of man it would create a press sensation, and the entire inankind will justify all wars on the basis of astrological forecasts.". 24 powing 90 ·EFFECTS OF ATOMIC EXPERIMENTS & NEW DISEASES President, “In the interest of common good I deem it neceseary now to close the chapter of individual adventnres nndertaken during the period of recess when the expedition to Arjnanistan started. I wish now to turn to a different subject, and that is, whether tye are quite safe against what are known as atomic diseases. Would our Life-Water, Goat's Beard and Satan's Branch completely protect us againls these new ailments? It is reliably understood that the human and animal victims of these diseases have developed chronic symptoms of decay which the medicoscientists say are beyond their line of cureg. It is necessary that ve devote a little inoreof our time and consider also the prognosis about the future discases coming out of the nuclear weapons." Crow, "Yes, Mr. President, the 'metal germs of the firs atomic tests of 1945, at hunian targets in Japan, and of 1946 and onward.at animal targets are still floating in the air and infesting the entire world. The merlical conference of the medicos of the world in May 1963 meeting at Vienna came to the conclusion that 'science is at present powerless to offer adeguate treatment for diseases caused from the Japanese atom bomb explosions.'* It's a strange devilry. These çerms penetrate the cells and pores of the body like hoomerangs of micrococcus size. They remain dormant in the body for some time and then start that incurable disease which has haſilcd the known human medical science. The medicoecientists are puzzleri about it. They refuse to agree about any possible core. Canary, “Is there 10 remedy against such a malady?”. President, "There is. And that is why Dragon and myself have invited you all here in this conference amidst these high monniaing. There, on the tops of Those clifſs above, are a kind of toadstools with dome-like tapering canopies over them. In this December, 13th, 1953, & headline in newspapers: DISEASE FROM ATOM BLAST. This is a short meegage about the Vienna Medical Conference hold that year in May. 91 ·land we call this herb Gunbad-i-Shar (Dome of Mischief). If this fungus is ground and mixed with water it is the remedy against all injuries inflicted by the 'metal form'. The disease, after its application, would disappear as if it had never existed." "This knowledgelen bendded toour old stock,' said the Lion. Dragon. "Surely, yos, we should preserve it as safely as the other three in our store. "These rare things we should guard against man as much as lle guards his trade secrets and atomic weapons.' Eagle,"Although this discovery is useful yet is there any sense in stock-piling all sorts of things? Are our three valuable recipes not enough to safeguard and protect us?" President, "If this is the riew of the entire House then in vain did wo take the trouble of calling all of you here in this conference," Crow, “Not the view of the entire House, courade. On the contrary the more the recipes we have the more would we be gale from the mad derices of man." Lion, "Can wo have an idea of this plant?" Dragon threw a bag of leaves in the middle of the Conference which burst into bits, and all could see the Ganbad-i-Shar (Dome of Mischief, scattered all over. Eagle, "Can these deflect the boomerangs of the 'meial germis' or destroy them in the mid-air? Are they any match to our old recipes?" Dragon, “You haven't canght the idea. Our three great prescriptions of Life. Water, Goat's-Beard and Satan's-Branch are each one of them quite adequate in their individual way in ineeting out the dangers arising Oit of the human weapons of all kinds and categories; but if perchance the ‘metal germs' escape on earth through our barriers then in that case this Dome of Mischief is the only herble remedy which destroys all metals in the same way as fire destrogs grass or cloth or say all combustible materials I am clear, I hope. Please, another question.". 92 ·Parrot, "Correct. No questions are necessary where truth is the role. Will some of our friends locate the places on earth where this herb is found besides the Hindu Kush? Crow, "Yes it is the duty of rny humble-self to undertake a little more research if the Conference orders." President, “We have full confidence in Mr. Crow, None else is more capable of this supernal task." Elephant, "I think all the important business is over by now.' Dragon, "Before we part I suggest that we should have 'Gamba' dance. I have made all arrangements to entertain the honourable delegates in my humble way. The occasion is auspicions, and it should end with snch a happy gala performance. I hope there's no controversy on this suggestion." Cat. "If Monsieur Jonkey wishes to put on those human ornaments for this occasion I hope he would be quite welcome." Monkey, "Dont forget Viss you have got more association with man than my humble-self." Crow, "Pussy keep these choking stale jokes to yourself and come ont with something original," Lion, "Anntie Cat is light hearted. She believes in purrs. Seriousness is not her line." VA 93 ·RESOLUTIONS On reasseinbling after a short recess the President resumed the Chair and said; “We have reached a stage in our Conference when we should come up with our resolution. Nothing else of interest remains any more to be discussed." Owl, "What abont the remaining portions of the Predictions? Are we not going to have any iñore of the description of the coming destruction?" Crow, "No; because none else is interested in destructions save your self. And you require no human predictions to tell you as to what is passing on in the brain of man. President, "It's a question of mental aberrations...... Let's have the resolutions. Let Mr. Lion initiate and let Mr. Elephant second his old friend as after all they are the sponsors and co-sponsors of the First ANIMAL CONFERENCE." Tiger, "There's only one main resolution as I understand." President, “Please Lion, proceed.” Lion, i "Feeling myself flattered at this honour I beg to move; “That this ‘JUNGLE CONFERENCE'adopts unanimously:- (a) That we undertake to guard the great secret of the Gunbad-i-Shar ( Dome O Mischief) and use it sparsely wherever the necessity arises. (b) That we agree to adopt the formation of a Committee consisting of Crow; Pigeon, Swallow and Dove for organising the collection of the above-said fnogus as much of quantity as is physically possible for them. (c) That we shall guard our secret and pry into the human secrets; and for this we constitute a committee consisting of the old members of the same i, e., Cat, Dog and Monse as also Crow." "I hope the resolution is clear." 11 94 ·33 Elephant, “With your permission Miss President, I second the resolution moved by my noble friend." Hippopotamus, "Although rayself and my friend Rhino. ceros have been silent listeners all through the Conference. yet a time has come that we too should speak." President, “Who told you not to do; we shall welcome what you want to say." Rhinoceros, "We think that an injustice has been done lo the Vigilance Corps formed 'under the leadership of Crow, Dog and Cat......to report* all the propaganda conducted by the foreign embassies and governments against one another.' 'And if the delegates remeinber then, all reports spoke very highly of the American efficacy in the sphere of propaganda,......etc. etc." President, "What do you propose?" Hippo, "A role of thanks and the retention of the old Vigilance Corps with the addition contained in the Resolution." Elephant, "Every body agrees with your sound proposition." Monkey, "Why not delete the name of Miss Cat from the Vigilance Corps? I have seen from distance and close quarters, Pussy doing nothing but playing with man all the time. She has rendered no reports. Dog and Crow have done iminense scrvice. This is iny amendment. Does any body support me? I am serions. Cat, "Don't be jealous, Mr. Monkey. You have been trying all through the ages to be as near to man as possible but your habit of robbery, I want to say, your old habit of snatching away eatables îroin the hands of the children of man, has turned man against you. He chases you out whenever he sees you. But for your robbing propensities you would have been tolerated by man in the same way as Mr. Dog and myself. President, "No side-talk please...... Coming to the main resolution I call for a negative vote. If any one is opposed to this resolution please raise your hand, paw, head or tail...... None I notice is opposed to it." # This rofers to the "ANIMAL CONFERENCE" >> 95 ·THE 'GAMBA' DANCE Seeing a huga heap ofriry frnite and fresli, in llic midiile of thenrena the President drow the altation of Dragon about the absence of irrel whicli inello stanle ſon of the Cat and some other feline animals who now live on broad aw rice after their ronunciation of flesh. The Dragon assured the President that this was not ignored, on the contrary an expedition consisting of Messrs. Simurgh, out and lonkey was thought out to the extreme west where the lot of LORD NIEPTAGOY was being held and plenty of dishes were under preparation, Sontho milk brend-le smelled, was just then under preparation. "With his speed of more than 30,000 m.zo.l., which is 1,000 m1.p.lt more than that of the human interplanetary rocket and space-ships um:ler exprrimentation, the Simurgh will fetch all these articles laden on his lack. We have very faith and confidence in the robbing propensities of our friend Monkey and scaling ones of those of Miss Pussy: we shall, in no time, bo haring nil that is wanted," sumac up his assurance lir. Dragon in these words. 96 ·IT STARTS The President perched on the bunches of grapes and straw. berries lying on the top of the fooi-moind consisting of melons and apples, cocumbers and pomegranates, mulberry-stuffed bread and milk one, in a way all the rich frnits and vegetable foods of the world. The dance circle was nic-ly planned. The hoofed animals stood together in the same crre; the padded-foot, next; the claw oworrs after, anr in this way, category by category, all took their rightful places. The frunba dance started. The Bear picked up a roundish stick and in the fashion of the band masters he ascendo.) the gravite rostrcin after removing the dry twigs which had been soil as presidential cbair for the conference, Swinging and wagging lii- vand the Bear started his directipg the Ball, Ob, what 1,6211iful jerks he gave to his bodg! Jesticulating, bending doulle, throwing his hands in the air, healing his feet on ihe grouril, he perforired his unique task of the land master. The 'Gara' went round about and round about with gruntu, grumphs, gelps, cooings, croakings, roars, whigtles and what wore, all serving as rhythnic barmony. The Monkey went on clapping with both his hands, and the Parrot kept crying 'Keyin chle-Saro chhe*' all throughout the dance, The click cluck guttural sonnd of the duck reminded the entire assemblage of the realar tick tick of the pendulnm of a wall clock, After a gooi dital nf jolting and hopping the entire delegate world seemed to be tired. The Bear gave a final jerk to his wand and stopped dancing himself. This was a sigual for the Gamba to end. As it was getting dark now the dancers decided to finish with their feast before night overtook them. All the animals dined together. * In Gujerati languago it means 'How do you do?- All right 97 ·GALA NIGHT The Feast finished exactly at sunset. In no time the entire mountain region was floodlit. How did it occur to the animals to mimic man in all respects is incomprehensible, yet the illumi. nation of the icicles hanging tbrongh the caves, the peaks shining like thousands of candle lights, beat man in this sphere of animal activities in ingenuity and originality; all this was the work of only one and only one. That was Chakore who took to the skies the twigs of Satan's Branch which when carried aloft in the skies they drop ont of beaks (of birds) automatically* after reaching a certain height and hang loosely in the space and are illumined'. The illumined the clouds and peaks and everything crystalline including the quartz boulders and rocks nearby. Only one animal could not bear all this illumination, and it was Ow). He protested against such an innovation and threatened to leave the conference, at wbich Bliss Swallow hnmourously remarked : "Don't forget Mr. Owl it is not the Conference in session that you require permission to quit or defiantis staye a walk-out. If night is your sleeping time then ron are welcome to go, otherwise, once in your life, enjoy the lights." "I am sorry Miss Swallow, I mean Miss President, this light, I find does not burt my eyes and tbe eyes of my nigbt companions too ; may be perhaps because it is not engendered through human agencies," the Owl growled. Chakore, Thank you for the compliments." It was just midnight that Mr. Monkey addressed the President, "The show has been stolen from me by Dr. Bear. I protest. I am the person who has the previlege of imitating man in all respects. How dare he mimic ran by usurping the role of a music conductor, I challenge him to dance opposite me, and I leave the delegates to give their verdict as to whether I danced better than him or he excelled me. "Yes, yes we want this bout, come on Mr. Monkey, let's have your competition with Mr. Bear." Was the noise all round. # Vide Animal Conference page 45, 98 ·And when Mr. dionkey asked for permission to go to the Cave far a minute, the Cat sarcastically remarked, "Don't burn your fingers, there is fire burning in there." "Don't worry, "retorted Sir. Monkey,” I use cat’s paw where fire is concerned. A few minutes later the Nonkey came fully dressed in embroidered shirt and trousers, with a small crown adoring his head and the Moghul slippera of brautiful colours on his feet. There from dil you get all this?" enguired the Lion. When we buried all the treasure in the cave I hid these things in a crevice there." The coupetition dance started. All the dances the human world knows of Monkey deinonstrated, while the only novel feature of the performance of the Pear was his incessently heat. ing up of his chest-in mirth ir inoan, no body can tell. Monkey had one more advantage anıl tliat was bis small drum, studded with jewels and plaied with gold at the edges, shining hrilliantly in the lights. The sound of the dram was very pleasing and all thought that verdict of victory will be given in Monkey's. favour. When the dance ended the panel of three adjudicators, composed of. Dog, Crocodile and presided over by I'ox gave the verdict in farour of Mr. Bear, with the remark that whereas the Monkey had borrowed all bis dances and music from man the Bear had his originally. Crest-fallen the vonkey sat down, after throwing all his adornment and drum before the President. Just at this moment a hooded pall of white pall of white was seen descending from the sky. Attention of all was focussed on this snow white figare. None stirred. But the Dog began to hark violently. President, "What is that which makes you bark so ferociously?" Dog, " Apparition, look, the ghost is coming down.” 99 ·E STRE And the ghost after descending on earth stood silently ont. side the arena for a moment. And when the Dog stopped barking, he proceeded in a sonorous voice : "I am Wells." "You mean Nir. H. G. Wells," interrupted the Fox, Initials do not maiter much to the dead, I am missinn to your Conference. Please, listen, 1Ir. President.' Yes, Mr. Wells." on "I have come to plead for my nation, and request yon to be good enough to gond a copy of your procredings to the people of iny country. They did not listen to my warnings, they might listen to 1611. Your people are adrerse to any advice; on the contrary ther kindle the fire first which envelopes the entire world in Torld Ilars," ontled in Miss Fox, Glost, "I'll agree with you only if you tell me as to who is responsible for the present tension-the cold war." famous. MULTON speech of youin Premier, Mr. Tells. Remember yon tiat Retorted Mr. Elephant. Ghost, "Inspite of all this sin, will you grant !!request for the wide circulation of your Conference proeodings in England ?" Fox," Your country ignored and boycotted our úrst 'Animal Conference'. Not a word about it was uttered in our homes not eren in the Leftist ones, "The < year, 19:16? Ghost, " There are no wings in my country. All is Right there. What you call Leitism is all a mere mirage so far as England is concerned, listen you, Miss Fox." President, intervening, "Mr. Wells, when they did not heed your writings, how should we presume that they will care for nur warnings ?" Ghost, " They might. It is animal wisdom" ·President, “ You're asking for too much.'s "What do I gain then be coming down to your conference?" President, "Our respect, Iir. Wells. The only man in England who ileserves onr respect. Ghost, "A[orning is approaching fast. I must disappear. Hope to see you again some time. Adieu, gentlemen. Adien," said the President and the whole assemblage repeated this word till the surroundings (choed and re-echoed with 'Adien. The ghost disappeared. And no sooner had the apparition of Mr. A. G. Wells disappeared there appeared another one inore gigantic and imposing. It descended like a huge pull on marth. It did not stand outside but came straight inside the amolla. It took its position near the Presidential stone. All animal: stood up respectfully. " I'm Anatole France". And the Parrot could not check the temptation of trying its French:- "Parler vous France, Sonsieur Anatole France ?" "Oui Monsieur. was the prompt reply from the great apparition. Drawing the attention of all, the apparition said: "Why did you inn back Ir. H. G. Wells so unceremoniously, any one answer, please?" "Yes, Mr. Franco" started the Fox, "His request was beyond our compliance. Tie wanted us to make the English people understand as to what was in store for them in Atomic and Push- When the great savants of yore, when the great philosophers of the great age gone.bg could not convince the British people that your Island, which is like a small rib, will not be able to withstand the atomic tests why then you prepare always for war and not for peace?'' They never heeded”. "I understand”, said the apparition. "Will you then please convince the French about the futility of preparing for war?" will button warfares. 101 ·They drink Dog, "Impossible! Scotch Whisky these days and follow the British in all the bad ways." The apparition, "In other words yon mean to say, they are also irredeemable." "Exactly so Mr. France," put in Dog. Fox, “Mr. France we all respect you for your wonderful book the "Penguin Islands”. You understand the animal nature very well, and this is why I am requesting you to tell us if there is any hope for the human worl] as a whole. Tell us what will happen if a Cobalt Bomb bursts today. But besides the Cobalt bombs, you know it very well, mankind, in its craze, has invented many other weapons which it is afraid to bring to the stage of experimenting.” "Correct Miss Fox," sighed the apparition." "Day is dawning Mr. Anatole France, lest you be late," added the Dog, "I thank you all for giving me a patient hearing, Adieu! I go now "Farewell, Mr. France", was the buge uproar heard in response to the apparition's Adieu”. The figure rose up and in no time it again assumed the shape of a pall hanging in the horizon till it disappeared completely, Before it was morning the birds brought out their tsig missiles from the space and the gky, and the mountains resumed their normal form. It was the mornivg, sun shining on, the Panjshir and reflecting its rays all round, which made it impossible for the slumbering mass to sleep in the open. Before midday the Conference again assembled to hear if there was anything more on the agenda. President, "Comrades and friends, ve have transacted all our business and now nothing more of importance remains to be deliberated. I think it is high time that we concluded this conference session. 102 ·rip before the general session at all." Swan, "Are we having a full dress debate on this Colra, standing erect and spinning on his tail, “Yes, there reipains exactly very much to be said which has pot been said hitherlo, I regnest your kind inriuluence to allow me to speak for some moments. It is alsout what is nisnamed as 'Ballia Snake Suicide' that I wish to speak alonl, i misstatement has to be corrected. And none is inose eqnippel tban my humble-self on this subjeci." Owl, "Did we not have had sufficient authentic report in one of our regional conferences of the First Session about this snbject?" Snake, No. Exac:ly, that is viy | islı to bring in that topic and clarify misunderstanding abont that mass massacre which pon generally call with man, the inass suicide of the snakes." Kite, "Can we in defer this subject to the next Conference? After all we shall be gaining nothing of vital importance by coming to know posthumousls ulat, what, we were told to be a snake suicide was in fact a snake mass massacre." Crow', "That's rather unfair to an entire species. You being one of the delegates in the laat Conference ought to have stressed for the investigation of truth about this particular episode of world importance." Kite, "Beg rony' par.ion. This subject was discnssed only in the regional conference of the Fater Animals and did not come Falcon, "Does this discrepancy debar the subject to be reopened in this Conference ?" Tront shouted from her river seat, "Call it a lacuna." President, "Yes correct. It does not delar. I rule that we should give a chance to the reptile world to lay their case fully before this conference which is the supreme tribunal to judge all affairs. 103 ·Fox, "It is not a debatable subject. Let NÍr. Cobra render the full report and the House listen to his version, This will be proper in iny view." President, I think this is sound." "As we are tired because of last night's show and yesterday's dance I deem it necessary to declare holiday for the rest of today and propose to adjourn the House. I hope there are no two opinions on this." Added the President. Finding all round assent on his proposal the President adjourned the House, ·SUPPLEMENÍ Report of The SNAKE CONFERENCE President roeping her scalop the twigs spread on the presidential stone looked around and remarled:- "I hope every one innst br. {rrling gnile refreshed after so mich of second r: coss. Let][r. Clyra render his long awaited report. Are you prepared with it lig now Ir. Delegate of the underground" Cobra, "Yes, I am prezarris!, and I hope I will not be unnecessarilly interrupted, ShriilI proceed Comrade President?" President, “ Yes Sir, please go on. Let erery one of us pay heed. It's a very interesting acconnt we are going to hear." Daking a coil of ball - his liody and raising the hood like a canopy, casting a look around, Jr. Cobra proceeled : "Ladies and gentlemen, this is an account of human tyranny uin provoked like any of our actions-overt or covert. After the great tragedy or ballia in Gitar Pradesh of India we held a Snake Conference in the way in sicrh of Banaras near the Unirersity. This Nagwa as şous trust know has been nained by Banaras people ineaning 'scala Jocaliiy'. Hagaembled here under the shrubs and bushies in a nonlit vigint. All the creatures of the underground came. Il 1.24 presided over by my humbleself and hence I am the proper person to represent their case and report faithfully what exactly happened in Ballia." "Those of you who know man-made geography must be knowing the lines of meridians--the longitudes as well as latitudes must be known to them. I am only talking about the meridians 80 to 50. Hear lies our Ballia and the line crosses over to the other side mecting again at the other poles. These lines cross the poles on both sidea, But this is besides the point. I am not behaving here as a teacher of Geography. I wish only to draw 105 ·your kind attention to this particular moridian for guidance, it was somewhere on this line beginning from SO and ending with 90 thal an atonniv blast took place. Doc, “Excuse me please are you referring here to the sereral isolated desert and mountain sites...... necu for underground detonation experiments of high explosives with charges ranging up to 165 tona?! - Being near to man thenetails must be known to yon only, as you read all his papers 'xiliuently and minulely' as per yorr own assertion in our l'irst Conference, Ir. Dog," remarked the Fox who han presided i10n. Crow: "For the first time in liistory Mr. Don you have failed on this ocrnsion in reaving the newspaper of your master 'diligently anil minntely', The paragraph in question runs like this: "During recent years several isolated desort and mountain siles in U L'AF have licen nsel for underground detonation experiments of high explosives with charges ranging npto 165 tonis." Llaina, "It's fantastic. This is slur on animal intellect to think that an explosion on the other side of the line could affect Ballia." Crow, "Local patriotisin perhaps! If you want to defend the land of your birth Mr. Llama yon could do it in another way also. There is no use perverting truth." Tiger, “Does my friend Mr. Llama mean to challenge that it's not possible what IIr. Snake is narrating?" President, “ Will you please, Mr. Snale, resume your report and oblige"? Snake, “I was referring to an atomic blast that took place between the meridians 80 and 90. . This underground blast was so terrific that we the denizens in that region felt tremors so violently that they shook our ribs. The gas rushed into our nostrils and in A press message on 13th November 1953. 106 ·vain did some of still alive amongst us tried to rush above ground only to die of exhaustion and suffocation. Now you will ask as to how this blast which took place some thousands of miles on the Other side of our contingit selected our particular locality as its target. You will no! isoliere that the rockets if they are meant to shoot straight up thay lo so. If the radar guided Missiles are directed to adopt a particular course they do it as if in obedience to certain lasys of science. In the same way the 'underground detonation experiments on the same longitude as our town and district shot straight din piercing our parts and contaminating the atmosphere. Believe it or not but this is what happened." Why should you not think that the people of your own country did it to get rid of the snake pest ? ” Ejaculated Air. Owl sarcaticalls. Snake, “For the simple reason that the people of my country are non-violent; thr: only exception being teachers. This is why I beg to stress that it was neither our mass suicide nor the work of our bu:nan agenci's. It was the work of some other power and you are quite welcome to examine that territory. At least some amongst us can penetrate undergrouni and investigate for them - gelves the truth of iny statement. I can not guarantee if they are affected by the same gasses an: fumes which suffocated us. We ourselves are non-violent. We never take to offensive and this is why the country where Ballia is situated snakes are not only tolerated but fed on inilk. We only take to violence against human beings when they take to offensive against us...... “Any proof of this?" shouted the Eagle. Snake, “ Yes, plenty, and I shall give an instance of this when I finish." Kite, “Yon mean to say that you never take, what is known as, forward action." Snake We retaliate only when altacked, this is my humble submission. And we feel sorry if inadvertently we bite some one." Crow, "Any proof?" 107 ·The press Shaka, " Ample. I deser the repig till after the report. i shall illustrate what I am saying." Fox, " Commades, the point at issue is not the retaliation or something, what really we are concerner with at this stage is the queer phenomenon aliout the relocity of the underground detonaiion experiments' referred to. are these charges go powerful as to penetrate such thick strata of partlı as that? Are the passes this produce so pown ful us to kill everything coming in contact with them? And it is all true. The gasses finished up with the vast arvas full of reptiles and no greater proof is requireiltlan man's own tr.wspapers which announced some years ago about the mass Euake suicide. Dan protects man. of one country llocs not expose the human felony of another country. Or is it for reasons of state that such lappenings are shroudeil in 1!ystery? Elephants, "Perhaps latter is the case. I know human nature perfectly well,” Lion, "I concur. Bigon, “If this is the truth then what is the remedy? Chimpanzee, “The remedy is simple. Corer the carth, under, with the gasses of our own recipes and make it imšossible for man to succeed in his earth experiments in the same way as we have decided to freeze the waters of the scas, making thein inaccessible to man. Can we not try something of the sort?" Tox, “Yes, there is. But then there is one danger and that is most of the cereals will not grow. Wheat will refuse to sprout." Kite, “ Here our wisdom fails." Owl, "Excuse me. It will never fail. But in your case, yes, it night". This sarcasm invited peals of langhter from the audience. “In my humble opinion let the great representative of the reptile community himself state whether they have devised any counter-weapon to combat this new attack," Rattle-snake, “Ve have, but our representative has been so frequently interrupted during the course of his report that it has beco ne sell nigh impossible for bim to conclude." 108 ·Cobra, Yes, we have got the remedy against this evil also. There is a plant of the Cacius family which in my junge they call 'Jal Mobini, When you pluck the leaves or twigs of this plant some white inilky substance oozes out of them. If this snbstance is collected a:r) dried and the powder sprinkled on earth it makes the detonation of any nuclear weapon impossible within the radius of 2000 niles. As you know it very well if there will be no detonation there will be no blast, and if there is no blast then nothing will penetrate the ground and cause such a havoc as it did in the snake world. "Therefore cur Snake Conference had drcided in its session to recommend this recipe to our general Conference. Hence, I am putting up this suerstion for your kind consideration." President, "I propose that we accept this recommendation of the Snake Conference withont any hitch. I hope there are no two opinions on this particular subject." Crow, “None 11.! I promise to find ont where this plant is found besides Raja-ihan, In Rajasthan it grows wild for hundreds of miles tourther." Owl, “Thauk you Comrade Crow, you have already enriched our animal work with many of your discoveries like the Satan's Branch and Goat's Beard." Cobra, "I have concluded my report." President, "Ton have now to fulfil your promise about your non-violent acts which you promised to give when you were challenged about the theory of retaliation. You talked something about being fed on milk and so on and so forth." Cobra, “Yes, Comrade, I am prepared with it." "In the city of Jhansi there occurred an episode which thrilled the entire human 'world. It was like this: A cobra and a cat were fighting on a terrace in a street. On the same terrace a child was soundly asleep. Whenever the snake was about to strike the cat always jumped over the child and thus the cobra could not have her 109 ·within the striking distance, always being afraid lest the child be hurt. The cat sometimes came behind the cobra and mauled him with her sharp paws on the back and sometimes on head. His bood was badly bleeding. In rage the cobra sprang on the cat and she again tricd her old tactics of jumping orer the body of the child. This time the rision of the snake was blurred owing to plenty of blood falling on his face from the head. Instead of striking at the cat the fangs fell on the child. The child died, the cat looked triumpbant that she had defeated her adversary by direrting him to a wrong victim, This need not be dilated upon much. What happened next is of importance. "The cobra, in repentance, sat crestfallen for over an hour near the body of the child irrespective of what deadly u.auling he received from the cat. This was repentance and the cobra was expiating near the dead body; and in scorching sun which had just appeared over the wall of a house nearby. Yon may accept the story as truth or reject it as a piece of fiction. But it is all a true story, no fib." President, "What about the milk story," Cobra, "In a village in the northern state of India there was an old lady who nised to get up early in tbe morning and churn her cards for making butter and bntter-milk. I one day, by curiosity, went and sat at a respectful distance watching the old lady rhythmically moving her hands to and fro with two ends of a rope piece around a stick in the curd pot. She took co:ipunction for me and poured some milk in a dish and beckon 1 me, to bare it. And then she daily used to shoot in the morning. Blackie, Darkie come on bave your milk, and daily did I use to go to enjoy my breakfast. I never molested apy member of her family not even when I felt offended at the minor offences of the children of that honse or surroundings. "Besides this instance, which I have given, the Indians often serve us with milk." President, "I think that now time has come to say goodbye to one another with the happy resolution of meeting again in 110

·some such congenial surroundings. Let us end this auspicious
gathering with a nice chorns."
And the chorus started; it was a conglomeration of roars
and grants, chants and chirp, sweet inelodies and shrill..
The End.
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