Jungle Tales 2.0 : The Awakening
08May
How it started: The Nature’s Sitcom
In the heart of Khao Yai’s steamy jungles in Thailand, my Thai guide pointed out a scene straight out of a sitcom. A male hornbill was flinging last season’s nest material with frustrated flicks. His mate perched on a nearby branch, observing with a critical eye that wouldn’t be out of place on a housewife inspecting spring cleaning. As the male finished, the female hopped in, her inspection revealing (according to my guide’s interpretation ) far from a passing grade. As I peered through the field-glass , I could not help smiling as I imagined the conversation…..
“Ugh, another twig?” the Harold muttered, launching the debris into the undergrowth. “This place is a mess!” Beatrice, hopped closer and poked at a stubborn clump of leaves.
“Harold,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument, “We need fresh leaves, not last year’s leftovers. Get on with it!”
Harold puffed out his chest feathers, a touch defensive. “Hey, I’m working on it! These branches are tricky!”
Beatrice rolled her eyes, somehow managing the impressive feat on a bird. “Excuses, excuses. Chicks will be here soon, and they deserve a clean nest! Now get to work!”
The poor fellow resigned himself to another round of aerial garbage removal, the picture of a henpecked husband.
This squabbling couple sparked a thought: if this bird couple was so invested in their domestic drama, what about the whole society?
I have read and seen the Jungle book and “Hakuna Matata” became my anthem. Animals have always held a special place in my heart. These I always believed have a way of holding up a mirror to our own humanity and not just amusement for children. Animal Farm, with its scathing critique of power, left a lasting impression, urging me to question narratives and dig deeper for the truth.
But stories are just the beginning.
As my love for language blossomed, I found myself captivated by the radical philosophy of Ayn Rand. Her novels, with their focus on individualism and reason, resonated with my own desire to carve my own path.
Then came the real world.
Launching a business in India was an eye-opener. The constant struggle against corruption forced me to confront the harsh realities of power and greed. It was a disillusioning experience, but it also ignited a fire within me.
Technology swings both ways !
The rapid advancement of technology is exciting and at the same time terrifying. While it holds immense potential, the disregard for the environment often leaves a bitter taste. This disconnect fueled my own attempts to develop sustainable energy projects. Though setbacks were inevitable, they only strengthened my resolve.
Religion not my cup of tea
I was never a religious person and it was no surprise that my agnosticism morphed to atheism. The disdain for organized religion, a sentiment many share, would find its place within this story..
So, why this story?
This story of a jungle grappling with change is a culmination of all these experiences. It’s a chance to explore leadership, the allure of progress, and the fight for a sustainable future — all through the lens of talking animals (because, let’s face it, talking animals are just plain cool!).
It reminds me of a time when my niece, some fifty years ago, started going to school. She became fixated on the idea of a “moral of the story” in everything. Every tale, every rhyme, every poem — in her eyes, they all held a hidden lesson. Suddenly, I was tasked with finding a moral for everything, even the precarious predicament of Humpty Dumpty! It was her unwavering belief that there’s a “moral of the story” in everything.
Fast forward fifty years. As I reflect, I can’t help but wonder — wasn’t she right? Isn’t every experience, every twist and turn in our lives, a story waiting to be told? And within those stories lie valuable lessons, the very essence of what we call “life lessons.”
Take the classic tale of the Hare and the Tortoise. This timeless fable, with its tale of a race between an overconfident hare and a determined tortoise, perfectly illustrates the point. It’s a reminder that slow and steady progress can often outpace bursts of fleeting speed. This concept isn’t confined to children’s fables. Aesop’s works, written millennia ago by a Greek slave, used simple narratives to impart wisdom on what to do and what to avoid. But even today, social media platforms like Medium, Reddit, and LinkedIn are filled with the same story modified in so many ways to convey valuable corporate lessons — hard work, teamwork, resilience , perseverance — you name it.
And add to this .. arrival of my granddaughter Zariah .. who is also a character in the story ! In fact, when I was just 7 years old, I wrote a story about a magic bear (I forget the name and the story itself!) published in the children’s magazine ‘Mathappu’ (meaning ‘sparkler’ in Tamil). The joy of seeing my story in print ignited a spark within me, and that spark has never truly dimmed !
Meet the Cast:
- Varman — The Aging King (A Monkey) — Burdened by tradition, clinging to the past.
- Dheena — The Young Challenger (A Young Lion) — Charismatic and ambitious, but blinded by progress.
- Junga — The Medicine Man (An Orangutan) — Wise and observant, a voice for balance.
- Husk — The Technology Mogul (A Bear) — A visionary with questionable methods.
- Zariah — Devoted Journalist (A Cockatoo) — Inquisitive, courageous, and determined to uncover the truth.
So, you get the picture, right? Life is a constant story, and within it lies a treasure trove of valuable lessons waiting to be unearthed. Whether my “Jungle tales 2.0 : The awakening “ is a take on Aesop’s fables or jungle book or planet of the apes .. or even as Magic bear — rebooted is for you to decide!
Join me on this adventure! As you dive into the story, expect some philosophical musings sprinkled throughout. These are echoes of my own internal thoughts which often form subjects of my blog.
This story will come as a series of blogs here !
